How about this: Joni Pitkanen on a wing? The defenseman was on a line with Eric Staal and Ray Whitney and in a forward's white jersey today at practice.
Rod Brind'Amour sat out the workout. So, too, Tuomo Ruutu.
UPDATE: Pitkanen was just a fill-in because of injuries, noting later that he had not played the wing "since I was a little guy."
Ruutu's situation is more concerning. He missed much of training camp, saying he had a groin injury, but coach Peter Laviolette indicated it may be more than a groin.
"I don't think it's his groin," he said. "I think it's ... the hip or somewhere in there. He checked out OK (but) we couldn't put him out there today.
"We gave him another day off. The most important thing is getting him healthy for the games coming up on the West Coast."
Brind'Amour was in the locker room today. Staying out of practice again was precautionary. ...
Rookie forward Zach Boychuk was out of the yellow no-contact jersey and into a regular jersey, cleared for contact. Laviolette said he would play quickly -- Friday against the Los Angeles Kings.
"It's an opportunity to take a look at him," Laviolette said. "He's been cleared to play. He looked good out there today.'
Laviolette said he had not decided on which line Boychuk would play. ...
Laviolette said Cam Ward would start in goal against the Kings but would not say if Ward would start both games in L.A.
"I have an idea in my head but not something I want to announce," he said.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
He was on a line with Cullen
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 17:05 — JustListenenHe was on a line with Cullen and Eaves this morning.
How did Boychuk look on the
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 15:26 — Anonymous (not verified)How did Boychuk look on the ice???
If Ruutu's out that really
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 15:25 — caneshockeyfanIf Ruutu's out that really does make a bad situation dire at forward.
Joni Stinks?
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 14:28 — Anonymous (not verified)You can't be serious. His job is to move the puck and get points. So far, mission accomplished. Of course he is not going to be as good defensively as a Gleason, Wallin or Sidenberg, but its not his job to be. This is why he is paired with our BEST defensemen in Tim Gleason.
Being upset with Joni for not being a good lockdown D-man is like being upset with Samsonov for not being physical or with Brookbank for not scoring goals.
Everyone on hockey teams have roles, maybe more so than any other sport. Joni's role is to move the puck and create scoring chances. For that, he is great.
Ruutu
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 14:18 — esteban1949if it isn't his groin...then as the coach said it's his hip...having a Hip pointer whether you play football or Hockey aint no joke...and hurt ???? I don't envy Him or anyone else getting those...But come friday...we shall see what we shall see !
Go Canes !
Chip, Babchuk played for
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 13:29 — Anonymous (not verified)Chip, Babchuk played for Avangard Omsk last year & I believe has the same agent as Cherepanov did. Please ask him about medical staff, equipment, etc in Omsk & Russian League in general. I'm sure you know Sutter played against Cherepanov in the Super Series last year...any comments from him...
WELCOME to So. Cal. Canes
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 13:20 — Anonymous (not verified)So. Cal Caniac can't wait for Canes to arrive! See you at practices and games. 4 point weekend!
not strong on the
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 13:00 — Anonymous (not verified)not strong on the puck?
really?
he is one of the best offensive d-men in the league... and he's young so he is only going to get better.
#25
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 12:42 — mumsyb13Sorry-nothing against Pitkanen, but he mostly stinks as a defenseman-out of position, not strong on the puck, scary - nothing to do with the loss of Cole, but maybe his d-man colored practice jersey was simply lost in the wash and he just threw on whatever was clean. If they have 8 d-men and 2 forwards sitting out, does this really mean anything?
I'll check back on Friday night.
Call me blonde...
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 16:32 — trish (not verified)I have to disagree with ya there mumsy!! Call me blonde but Pitkanen has been the ONLY steady player so far. I notice him on every shift he's out there--and not because I'm looking for him. He's doing the intangibles (the things that don't show up on the stat sheet.) Yes, I miss Cole but you're dead wrong about Pitkanen as "stinks as a defenseman..."
i disagree
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 14:29 — Anonymous (not verified)i disagree.
pitkanen has looked great on d.
he has a very impressive way of knowing when to pinch and help out in the other teams end.
and it works because he never seems to get caught.
even on plain d he seems to always get a stick in there on 1 on 1s etc.
not to mention, the team around him is really great at getting a man back when he pulls up into the offensive zone.
our team is looking GREAT
and the red wings game showed it!
-c
I guess the guy could score
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 13:57 — Anonymous (not verified)I guess the guy could score 100 goals and give each season ticket holder $200 towards playoff tickets and some people would still find something wrong w/ his play.... I think that in his short time in a new system he has been phenominal!
Coach said he was just playing on the wing in order to have enough healthy people on the ice to conduct practice... so I guess that is what it means.....
Seven D with Pitkanen taking
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 12:29 — Anonymous (not verified)Seven D with Pitkanen taking a regular shift at wing sounds really interesting, when a forward is hurt. JP sure looks like he'd be comfortable at wing. Left wing for the left wing lock?
If Pitkanen is going to play
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 12:22 — Anonymous (not verified)If Pitkanen is going to play forward we should have kept Cole.
lets go over this one LAST
Thu, 10/16/2008 - 13:16 — Anonymous (not verified)lets go over this one LAST time!
you dont seem to get it.
next summer cole was looking to get quite a huge raise, likey from many teams
our options, seeing as how we would not be able to afford him...
1)trade him when we did, for pitkanen, or any top teir player with a longer term similar contract.
2)trade him during the season and not be able to get 100% value for him on the market
3)trade him at the deadline for a draft pick or 2
4)no trade, no signing and we lose him straight up.
he is gone, get over it, he was going to be gone next summer regardless, get over that too.
good thing you arent a GM.
Cole's gone ... get over
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 17:06 — JustListenenGet over it!
Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:36 — Anonymous (not verified)I second that!
Tripp Tracy said after the
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 11:48 — Anonymous (not verified)Tripp Tracy said after the Detroit game that Ruutu looked to be in pain. Hope its nothing major. Can't lose anymore players... and Pitkanen on wing? He thinks he is a forward half the time but surely there is a better option. If he actually plays a game that way, Lavi will either look like a genius or a complete idiot. At least it will be interesting.