The Canes have self-imposed a salary budget of $44 million to $45 million this season, but general manager Jim Rutherford said he expects the team to be competitive and contend for the playoffs.
Question: is that wishful thinking, or can the Canes make it work?
The floor is open.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
What it takes...?
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 06:53 — jonl355To go all the way to the cup it usually takes a couple of elite players, a hot goalie, everyone stays healthy, and the rest of the team playing way above their skill level. It doesn't have to do with money and you can do this with older or younger players . To a large extent it has to do with what's going on in the locker room and in the heads of the players. Also, sometimes acquiring players at the end of the season for the "push" backfires - blows the chemistry - look at Washington last season. Thats just my $.02.
It's the same every year...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:05 — gf101112J.R. should always expect, (DEMAND), his team to be competitive and give 110% game in and game out! The bigger question is can this team avoid injuries throughout the season??? A healthy team, with a healthy Cam Ward, could go deep into the playoffs---No matter what the budget!
Budget
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 06:59 — louis12580Can this team as presently constructed have a good season and make the playoffs? Why not. We focus maybe a bit too much on what a player makes. Having a high payroll doesn't always translate into success, re: Calgary Flames. Last year there were a couple of games where they could dress 18 players instead of 20. Winning and losing is determined by the on ice effort, not by payroll. Being where we are salary wise gives the team flexibility in personnel decisions. If Jim doesn't like what he sees during camp and pre-season games, he can always go out and sign a free agent. Also, after this season there will be even more money coming off the books. Cole, Samsonov, LaRose, Pitkannen, and either Jokinnen or Ruutu. Several of those players will be getting pay raises. Couple that with the fact that Staal's and Ward's new deals kick in. After that, then Sutter and Gleason will be next in line and in Tim's case a lot of teams will be lining up to offer that big deal. Just remember that the only guarantee in life is that there are no guarantees.
"he can always go out and
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 07:20 — ctill"he can always go out and sign a free agent". No, that's the whole point of the question. JR can always fix the problem by spending another $3 million in the FA market, but he can't do that *and* stay under the $45 million figure.
I think the point of that
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 07:40 — jgrant641I think the point of that statement means more that having a lower end budget allows for flexibility. In 05-06 we had a lower end budget, but around January it was more and more clear that we were a top tier contender and had a great chance to do some damage in the playoffs... since we hadn't spent money over the summer the ownership approved an extra few $$$ to upgrade the team.
Plus keep in mind spending another $3mill will not always fix a problem.
right
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:12 — louis12580What I'm trying to convey is that with the lower self imposed budget, there's some built in flexibility. I'm not suggesting that the team spend another 2 or 2.5 M for a free agent, but I'm saying that it affords flexibility. This team can compete for the playoffs. Again, if Jim sees the need to add a player (center would be my concern), he can do that.
"Contend for the playoffs"
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 06:43 — ctill"Contend for the playoffs" is not the same as "make the playoffs". Let's say "contending" means that the team earns at least 80 points. With the current collection of players, I'd say the probability they will contend next season is 70%, but the probability they will actually make the playoffs is 30%.
In other words, "contending" means that March will be interesting, but it doesn't necessarily mean there will be hockey after April 9.
I read
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 06:15 — esteban1949I read & Re-read what the question is and if anyone can and will pull something like this off JR Can,has & Will..And that's the bottom line...because JR said so !!! :-)
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! THe new Checkers 3rd Jersey Rocks !!