Monday debate: the injuries

I think sometimes the team tries to do too much too fast. Everything that can be said about the injuries to the team are speculation. Perhaps karma is the best way to put the things that have happened into perspective. I've often complained about the price increases the fans have seen since the team won the cup. Parking is now $10. The cheap seats aren't so cheap any more and you have to pay an arm and a leg for a warm beer. Now I know as well as anyone the team itself doesn't have anything to do with these changes and that the "front office" controls these things. But when the hockey gods are angered someone must pay! I think the team should pick up a copy of My Name is Earl, go out and invite that black cat in, and sit back to learn a few lessons and have a few laughs. The only thing that can be done is sit back and wait out the storm.

I had to smile at most of the comments and even the ones wanting our triner to be axed...was interesting to say the least...But let us look at this from another aspect...if we all remember...it has been said by JR...that everyone looked ( who had come into training camp and just prior) in good physical condition...so that means...everybody in the off season had done some working out and phyical conditioning...Could it be that that like a good and sharp skate...we are too sharp ? And we all know when we feel well and great..we reach and push ourselves even farther and harder because ..one can never be in too good of condition or shape ...Could that and along with our own sence of self worth as in EGO...could be a major contributing factor to the injuries ? As in pushing too hard & too far ? A good trainer and doctor knows when to say no to a player or patient...could it be the team trainers & doctors look at the players as machines ( like the Fox football robotic player) instead of skin and bone,flesh and blood people? Only they, the Owners and management of the Hurricanes know for sure...and instead of using good mony to paint a logo on a water tower...how about that money go to say a childrens charity...or to the Salvation Army Boys & Girls club so that a the future of tomorrow will get a better chance today ....And that's how i see it...for today...Go Canes !!

One can decrease the chance of injury by weight training which strengthens the muscles around the moveable joints. Do the Canes' lift for endurance, speed or strength? As far as Brind' Amour, he pushed it too early. Is the training staff responsible for rehab? Yes. Most of the players know haw to handle an injury- Patience. Not sure what Williams was doing to tear his achilles, but it normally takes a lot of force to do that. Constant stationary cycling is not the best thing for knees, also. Most hockey layers thighs are generally on the large size but the calve muscles leave a lot to be desired-this can lead to knee issues.

The Canes may actually want to find that little feline and put a cat bed in the locker room. It's actually good luck to have a black cat cross your path. Some say that if you politely greet a black cat or rub the cat's back three times, even more good luck will come your way. I say it's worth a shot!

Definition: Superstition - An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear.
Carolina players have no fear so, it is just a coincidence.

(Crossing my fingers as I say that! :) )

What is happening now borders on comedic. I don't recall who Justin hurt his knee against. Scott Walker and Rod's were against Pittsburgh. Cole's was against Pittsburgh. Maybe the good folks in Toronto and Montreal, you know TRADITIONAL hockey markets, are sticking pins in the Hurricane voodoo dolls. There isn't any rational explanation for what's going on. We have just angered the hockey gods, that's all.

A couple of years ago I broke my fibula (leg) playing hockey. Prior to skating again I visited Wally Tatomir during his public pro shop hours at the RecZone for advice on equipment to prevent a repeat injury. Pete Friesen just happened to walk through while I was there and we talked about my injury and how he would deal with such an injury with a Canes player. I felt lucky and fortunate to get a few minutes with him and really appreciated the advice that Pete had volunteered. When I relayed Pete's comments to my Orthopaedist (who happened to be the Canes team doc, at the time), he characterized it as irresponsible, that Pete's plan was WAY too aggressive because broken bones take time to heal (pro athlete, or not), and there is nothing that can be done to make them heal appreciably faster.

While I know that my experience is one isolated incident and it isn't fair to judge on that interaction, I thought it provided a telling window into the thought process that guides the rehab and conditioning of the Canes. I have often since wondered how much of the Canes injury troubles might have some link to Pete's approach or methods. In my short conversation with Pete I observed that Pete is truely passionate about what he does, and I don't doubt that he honestly does what he thinks is best for the players and the team. I just wonder if he pushes things too far.

Did you even look at the injuries from last year? Ok, let's go over them and see if they are part of a "training regimen." 1. Patrick Eaves came to us with a prior shoulder injury - so cross him off your list. Cullen got a concussion from getting hit - not from lifting weights - jogging - running a 5k, etc. Brind'amour got crused between two players on the ice - not part of the training regiment either. Scott Walker's injury (though it escapes me) was ice related as well. Cole slid into a goalie (no surprise). You see where I'm going. I don't know what apparatus Williams was using while working out - but this sounds like a freak accident. Other teams have injuries too. I'm not even sure we had the most games lost to injury last year - why don't you check that out for us.

In certain parts of the world, black cats are considered very lucky. Perhaps the Hurricanes should adopt the cat.