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I initially took my screen name here in reference to the gang-blame that so often dominates this blog... moving from JR to Friesen (and now, it seems, to Laviolette).

Then I listened to Brian Burke's press conference a few days ago when he formally took over the Leafs GM job.

Now I'm leaning toward actually blaming JR.

Burke explained in very simple terms how he likes to put together a team, a model of balance that JR could wisely emulate. Look at the Ducks team he leaves behind and you can see all of these principles at work:

"My philosophy is based upon 3 pillars :
1. Entertaining style- justify the price of the ticket win or lose, aggressive pursuit of the puck in all three zones, prefer to possess the puck, answering physical challenges; playing a style that allows younger players to develop in fear free environment
2. Financial and fiscal prudence-at the end of the day it is the fans and sponsors money and we try to spend it intelligently – it’s a cornerstone- doesn’t matter if you are profitable or not, you spend money as wisely as we can, its not my money.
3. Community service – not optional you want to play in a great city like Toronto you will give back to the community or we will find you somewhere else to play. Player will be more active then they have ever been before and if you don’t like it you will not play here."

"we believe in a top 6 forward group that has high skill level and the bottom six that have plumber mentality, being physical and blocking shots. Same with defense, the top 4 are skilled and the bottom 2 are plumbers. I have great respect for the plumber groups
I believe you build team from net out.
My teams all have the proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone truculence and belligerence ."

JR's teams (in the post-lockout era) have been built for speed and little else... he got it right the first season, because he was ahead of the curve in understanding what impact the new rules would have on the game. His bottom 6 are mostly made of guys that are basically Top 6 guys at lower levels that either are not, or never will be Top 6 NHL'ers.... not enough "plumbers".

Unfortunately, when a team built for speed gets beat down by injuries (as happened last year, I'm not going to give him that pass this year... several teams are faring as bad or worse) they lose that edge. A team built for speed has also lost much of the advantage it briefly had against larger (and, by definition, slower) opponents. Too many teams now have managed to get Big AND Fast... a valuable combo. Our Big Fast Top Draft pick was a bust (Mr. Ladd), but fortunately that has turned into Ruutu, who is playing in our Top 6, but would actually be one of Mr. Burke's "plumbers".

This year's Canes have not gelled into a unit, and the PP is the most obvious example of it. It was a joy to watch the 05-06 team bring the puck up the ice... ever since then, it seems if they fail on the first few tries in a game... they dump it for the rest of the night, or worse they turn it over in the neutral zone.

Having said all that, JR is PK's boy and I don't see him going anywhere soon. JR is also capable of being an Exec of the Year in this league... he needs to accept the fact that the type of team that could win it all just 3 years ago, is not the type of team it takes now that GM's/Coaches have figured out a new balance that will succeed more consistently.

I agree ... no comparison.

At the same time, though, Rowe is our AHL guy and he's waiting in the wings. So, in that sense, he's our Bruce Boudreau, and it's pretty obvious why he's here instead of in Albany. JR had it up to here with Laviolette last year. This year, he's seeing what we're all seeing ... a team that is frustratingly inconsistent.

The cup season was a touch of post lockout brilliance by JR and Laviolette. They came out of the lockout with an uptempo team that beat many of the other teams to the punch. Well, the other teams have figured it (and us) out. Many of them are just as fast, just as skilled and twice as big. Yet, we're still trying to play the same system ... and it isn't working.

Rowe is JR's ace-in-the-hole and he's going to play that card.

Some random thoughts on the Canes and JR's comments:
*JR should look in the mirror for the problem. He created the team.
*As a STH we have not gotten what we paid for in three years. I don't expect the cup every year but I expect effort. Ten minutes of effort in a hockey game does not add up to wins. How about if we pay 1/6 of the ticket price?
*Give me Ruutu, Walker, Larose, Seidenberg, Wallin, and a bunch of AHLers. We'd win as many games and it would be fun to watch.
*Lance Armstrong has more Kahunies than most of the Canes.
*I vote for the Lady Bing award to be awarded to the Canes. They can't score and they don't fight except for Brookbank and Walker.
*The only thing Kristi Yamagochi and Brett Hedican left behind was memories of Dancing with the Stars, and we are reminded of it every time the Canes play.
*How many nights did Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, or Gordie Howe take off?
*How about the long promised All Star Game...JR. It would be nice to watch some players that care.
*The reason other teams take our players out, is because they can. Most of our players don't have enough respect for their own team mates to stick up for them when there is a cheap shot. (not you Scottie Walker). Also relates to the Kahunie problem. Howe and Orr never shied away from mixing it up.
*Give the players a PMS (attitude) pill and maybe we would see some hockey.
*Again we are on track to not make the playoffs.
*I'd be ok with one of the Canes dating one of my daughters.....they can't score, even on a power play.
*I vote for the Canes led by JR to go on strike. We can all save our money until the economy improves.

JR is about to do what the Caps did last year ... fire the coach and hand the job to the guy who coached the AHL team. Tom Rowe is our Bruce Boudreau. Look for the bald guy to move up.

Considering that the Canes can't gain the zone 5 on 4, putting us on the PP is a defensive strategy that virtually ensures 2 minutes without a Carolina Hurricanes goal. Woo-woo!

Compared to the size and strength of the Ducks, the Canes looked like mighty mites. Wasn't the whole point in the off season to get bigger and add strength down the middle?

"We have the resources. We have the players," Rutherford said.

Translation: "Don't blame me, blame the coach!!"

Pathetic - and totally incorrect, as well. You assembled this team, take some frakin responsibility for once.

I'm sure Mr Rutherford kept his nose out of the powerplay until this point out of respect for the coach. I'm sure he saw the same things we did, but as a GM there is a line that should be crossed with care regarding the way a team is coached. You could say that by suggesting Ronnie Francis could become more involved with the powerplay units Mr Rutherford is prepared to cross that line.

Please sir...take what we all have said to JR with the disclaimer that while we fans may not know everything..but for those who have watched in the seats and on TV see what isn't going on. Now that doesn't mean we the fans or JR is lying, but obviously one of the two needs to get their eyes checked. i again say that I am as one voice am not trying to be mean spritied, have an ugly attitude, but I do sympathise with the loyal anf faithful STH who feel they are NOT getting what they paid for. And if it does come down to business..and NOT family entertainment ...the When the Circus comes to town the next time RBC can expect a sellout compared to the Canes, and the play of the team as a whole. As i do like and appreciate the efforts of players like Sutter, LaRose,Dwyer who and while are still trying to prove themselves...have played with more heart and soul than some of the "other" healthy players who have been on the ice. grant you none of them are super stars (yet) but i'd rather have a team made up of little people like those 3 and play their hearts out, than to have last years Redwing type of team today here in carolina who are like a car with clogged fuel injectors one week,a dropped cylinder the next, and so on. Grant you players like Sutter and even Zach Boychuk have a ways to go before they reach their peak...yet it feels that because of thier intencity of play...far out weighs any stats they may lack...but again...I am no expert...we the fans rely on JR, the Coach, and ALL The players to give 1000% yet for the monies paid ...the fans are getting gyped..even the Chicago Cubs when they'd fall on their faces in the late 60's & 70's played their hearts out...that is why even when they lost terribly the fans were dragging their feet in having to leave, because the fans knew they were there to see the best the team had, not the left overs...I appreciate your efforts Chip, and i am thankful i don't have your job, because like being a professional sports figure and a cop on the beat...no matter what you say or do...it is never good enough is it ?

Go Canes !

It took you 34 PP's to figure that one out JR? Could have told you that last season.