Legace to start in goal against Kings
Manny Legace's first start in goal for the Hurricanes will be in his first game with the Hurricanes.
Canes coach Paul Maurice said after practice today that the decision had been made to start Legace on Wednesday against the L.A. Kings, ahead of Michael Leighton. Legace was signed Monday to a one-year contract and has put in two practices with his new team.
Why Legace and not Leighton?
"He's played some and he's practiced some," Maurice said. "Part of it, Mike hasn't played a whole lot of (NHL) hockey here.
"So Manny's going to go. He knows that conference very well. He's knows their shooters and I guess they should know him. But I think this is the kind of opportunity he was waiting for, he was hoping for and he was looking for, so I do think the table is set for him to come in and play his best."
Maurice said a goaltending rotation has not been set.
"We have thoughts on our goaltending, but with where we're at we're not looking three weeks down the road here," he said. "We're looking at tomorrow night and we're completely focused on that."
Defenseman Joni Pitkanen missed his second straight practice with what Maurice generally describes as a cold. Maurice said he anticipates Pitkanen playing against the Kings.
"The whole league is hypersensitive now to anyone who has the sniffles or cold or starting to get flu-like symptoms," Maurice said.
Ray Whitney, who has missed the last two games, could be a gametime decision but has practiced.
"We're pretty positive with where he's at," Maurice said.
Eric Staal was around the locker-room area today and working out with trainer Pete Friesen. Staal said he is feeling better and "hates" sitting and watching the games.
"He's on the bike, he's growly, he's a little bit snarly," Maurice said. "Most guys with injuries, you don't want to hang out and chat with them. You just kind of nod with them as he goes bad.
"He's not in a very good mood and you like that He wants to play badly."
Maurice said he had sent Cam Ward a text message but had not yet the chance to talk to the goaltender. Ward returned to Raleigh on Monday from Columbus.
On Ward's cut leg, Maurice said he wasn't sure how deep the cut was but that it was "deep enough."
"At the end of the day, it was an unfortunate accident but it could have been an awful lot worse it that had been deeper," he said.
About the blogger
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
sigh...and after
Thu, 11/12/2009 - 07:02 — esteban1949a decent nights rest...as the game ended up last night, Michael Leighton, couldn't have done any worse could he ? Not slamming Manny but i felt that many "over played" the puck several times too many. but i'll give manny his due he did make severa; saves that most goalies would have let get by them...like the glove hand catch like a short stop for one...sigh...but then again only the Hockey God and the Canes players know for sure of IF & WHEN the Canes will get back to some winning ways...gee is everyone sick of the rain yet ?
These guys are animals!!!
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 17:03 — momcool23Here's to Legace. Happy to have you on the team. Play up to the Wolves' tag line -- THESE GUYS ARE ANIMALS!!!!!
Give Mike a Chance
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 22:25 — RiverRatsFanIf you watched Leighton's body of work a couple of years ago in Albany, you would feel as many Rats fans do that this guy deserves a shot. He's an AHL All-Star and a team leader. He carried us into the playoffs, and gave us a shot at winning every game he played. He's an up and coming talent that we miss, but we hoped that when he left he would be embraced in Carolina and at least given a chance. Now, a year and a half later, it's like his coaches have abandoned him and the fans have sold him down the river. I know you guys are off to a real rough start and are very frustrated by the mounting losses, but he's not your problem. Good luck Mike. When you get your chance, you're going to have to play your heart out, hope the offense gets some good bounces and listen for the few cheers among the boos. I know it's a long way away, but we're cheering for you in Albany.
Cam Ward's Injury
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 20:17 — abramsdougA blogger is reporting Jim Rutherford has said Cam Ward's injury isn't as bad as thought initially and Cam Ward might return as early as two weeks. I don't know if that is correct. I haven't seen it reported elsewhere. Here's the quote:
# 16 minutes ago from TweetDeck
* Reply
* Retweet
# Lets Go Canes.comlgc_com
Really? RT @CraigCustance: Rutherford said C Ward's injury may not be as bad as originally thought. Ward could return in 2 weeks
Here's a link:
http://twitter.com/lgc_com
Maybe Chip has more information on the subject.
The silver lining
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 19:48 — beer210Its bad news for the Canes that Cam got hurt, but the silver lining is that they have now aquired an actual NHL goalie to back Cam. I've spent a lot of time mulling over the myriad of problems that this team faces and there are no areas that don't need improving - this mess can not be placed on any one unit of the team. One of the things that I think the team has needed is a better back up goalie to push Cam, even while he was healthy. I'm guessing that he's received no competition from the other end of the ice in a while and is not sweating the game time decision anymore. Feel sorry for Leighton, but don't blame his circumstance on anyone but him. While he has had limited chances to prove himself in games, his on ice performance has not warranted being rewarded with more playing time. The players and coaches see him practice everyday, which we do not. Clearly they are not dazzled by his performance in practice.
As a fan I'm pretty excited to see Legace here. I've been wanting to see him as a Cane for a few years now - I just hope his best years aren't behind him. Go Canes!
PS - Chear loud for the return of Justin Williams tomorrow - he deserves it!
Good move. I expect Maurice
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 19:45 — drewkGood move. I expect Maurice to rotate Legace and Leighton; of course, if one gets hot and we start winning, he'll run with that guy. But I certainly don't think Leighton is entitled to a position superior to Legace. He'll have to duke it out with Legace, as he should - and as he had to do with Cam every day. Let's see what happens tomorrow night.
I,like
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 15:04 — esteban1949others do think that this is a slap in Leighton's face...but I would have hoped that Mo & Barasso went to him and explained their reasons out of respect to the man...and Mo is right Leighton really hasn't had the kind of ice & game time to be 3/4's the goalie the canes needed him to be. And all of us know that you can't get the experience sitting and watching ...practice is good, but NOT the same thing...But what has been done has been done...So tomorrow's game is the first game of the rest of the season huh ? ( you know like today's the first day of your life type of mentality)
Go Canes !!
No Respect for Leighton
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 14:56 — Caniac5I feel for Mike! The guy was #1 in the AHL and signs a very cheap contract to brek into the NHL. He sits, and sits, and sits, and sits, and sits, and then when needed, they expect him to be warmed up and ready for anything. The Mo states, "Part of it, Mike hasn't played a whole lot of (NHL) hockey here." NO DUH! And how is the guy suppose to get it when you never play him? NOW he has a chance and you bench him for your stupidity of never playing him. You would rather play a goalie that could not make the NHL this year, has only played 4 games in the AHL, has a record of 2-2 in the AHL, over your #2 guy!! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING????
Mike, you are a great goalie when you have played. I feel sorry for the way the Cane's are treating you and I hope you sign with another team next year that will play you for your potential! Then, you can come back next year and shut out the Canes!
I am a very loyal Cane's fan but I am loyal to the players...not the stupid coach or management!!!
"Stupidity of never playing
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 16:32 — richardfoc"Stupidity of never playing him?" Really? You know why he never plays? Because we have one of the best, most durable goalies in the league. That's why Leighton never plays. On top of that the Canes have saved money by not signing a backup capable of more than spot duty. Leighton is fine for the 2nd night of a back-to-back or a "3 in 4" stretch but I for one don't want him to be the #1 for the next month or more. Legace was an NHL All Star two seasons ago and has extensive experience in the league. To me this is a no brainer.
BTW, the coaches and management of this team deserve your loyalty just as much as the players. I'm not sure why they wouldn't.
Goalie Question
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:35 — CaniacGuyDoes anyone know who the likely #3 goalie would be in case the two that dress both go down?
#3
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:51 — GoShelfA: Justin Peters
If you mean who would go in if both goalies got hurt during a game. Most likely, during the regular season you wouldn't have a 3rd goalie watching from the stands so you'd have to dress a player. I've never seen it happen.
3rd Goalie
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 15:48 — CaniacGuyYep, that was the question ... 3rd goalie for a game where the first two go down before the game ends.
Which current player do you think is the most likely to be told to put on the pads and get out there for the next drop?
I wonder if it ever actually *has* happened?
The Tripper
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 00:33 — delthanTripp would come down from the press box, sign a waiver of liability, and get a small bonus at the end of the year.
hehehe
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 09:05 — esteban1949i wonder how many empty seats there would be if the canes did put that out and tripp was in uniform and on the ice...
But between us,....I aint gonna hold my breath waiting for THAT to happen Are U ?
Go Canes !!
Go TEAM!!!
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:16 — gf101112We are putting up the "MANNYWOOD" sign right now out here!!! OK men, let's play 60 minutes of SOLID, TEAM HUSTLING hockey. The kind of hockey that Caniacs EXPECT!!! It's a new beginnig. Lace 'em up and give 'em hell! See you in Anaheim on the 25th!!! Go Caniacs. GO TEAM!!! So. Cal. Caniac.
Wednesday Start
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 17:03 — garybdiverI agree this is the way to go. But still you have to feel for Mike. Having been in the west for awhile, makes sense to start Manny.
Legace Starting
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 12:58 — Caniac47This is good. Manny looked good in practice and he has the experience. At this point, anything to get this team going is good. LA didn't play so well last night in Chicago.