Ray Whitney may have played his last game for the Carolina Hurricanes.
General manager Jim Rutherford said today that he has met with Whitney and that it appears the winger will not re-sign with Carolina before July 1, when Whitney will be an unrestricted free agent.
"I think it will be difficult with where he will be at, contract-wise," Rutherford said. "I expect him to go into July (and the free-agent market). It appears that's the way it's going to go."
Before the March 3 trade deadline, the Canes fielded trade offers for Whitney. But Whitney had a no-trade clause in his contract and opted to stay with the team, finishing third in points with 58 (21 goals, 37 assists).
Whitney has played the last five years for the Canes after signing as a free agent in August 2005. He was an integral part of Carolina's Stanley Cup run in 2006, and in the Canes reaching the Eastern Conference finals in the 2008-2009 season.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Ray isn't gone until Ray is gone.
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:47 — ocolumnI don't think JR's statement, and anything Ray told him before JR made that statement, is anything more than posturing for the sake of negotiations. At least it gives us something to chat about until the draft.
consider this as well
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:21 — louis12580Ray is 37/38 years old. Yes, he's in great shape and all. So was Rod until the knee injury. Return to the 37/38 statement. If a team signs a player over 35 (Rod) to a long term contract they are on the hook for it no matter what the circumstances. Buy out/retirement/long term injury, it's virtually the same. The last thing this team needs is to sign Ray and then something happens to him and they're stuck with his salary. Even if it's "only" $2.5M/year, that's money they can't use to sign other players. We need to look at the big picture. After this season the contracts for Cole, Samsonov and Pitkannen and I believe Jokinen are all up. Next comes Gleason , Sutter and Ruutu. While Ray helps out in the short run, who will be more valuable to the team in the longer run? While Sutter will be a RFA, Gleason will be a UFA and don't think that for one moment Brian Burke isn't licking his lips over the prospect of signing Gleason. I still believe that Ray still wants be here and the organization wants Ray to be here, just not for the 3 years that Ray's supposedly looking for.
To sum it up...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 13:13 — Caniac5I wish we could get rid of Pitkanen NOW! He plays when he wants to play and expects everyone else to work around him.
Now, back to Ray. One-year contract for $2.5 mil and that's it. I think he should earn the next year. I do not believe in "No Trade Clauses" either.
That's all I have to say....for now!...LOL
Pitkanen . . .
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 00:19 — beer210. . . lead the league in TOI. I think he showed a remarkable amount of consistency given the circumstances. Who would YOU replace him with? And at what cost? Good luck with that by the way.
Pitkanen Needs to Stay
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 08:03 — abramsdougIf people think the Hurricanes defense needs help with Pitkanen, it will be Code Blue without him. Pitkanen is one of the most physically talented defensemen in the league and is still learning the nuances of the position. He definitely needs to be re-signed and not traded.
Pitkanen
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 09:53 — sittler27Amen!!
Players have differing styles of skating. Joni's is effortless and it looks like he isn't trying. He can take the puck end to end and give the opposing team fits and barely break a sweat. Coffey used to be the same in that regard. Pitkanen's positioning is also usually excellent so he doesn't have to waste effort. And he is physical enough, just not in the "put him through boards" manner that makes the highlight reels. And like other D that play close to 30 minutes, he picks his spots.
He is still young and as we have often all agreed big D typically reach their peak later. There are nights that we have called a "bad Joni night" where you just look skyward at some of his decisions. But he more than makes up for it over the balance of the season. I still think that he best hockey is yet to come and I'd sure like to see it here.
Pitkanen
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:15 — louis12580He is only 26 and one things that Jim absolutely believes is that a defenseman doesn't begin to mature until they're 25-26. Gleason is that age, as is Picard. All of that being said, if the Bruins were to offer their pick at #2 to the 'Canes for our pick at #7 and Pitkanen I think Jim would have to think long and hard about that deal. At the deadline Jim was getting many inquiries about Joni, and I think hes getting some now as well. I don't think he's going to be traded, but as was said by Romeo Void "never ay never."
If JR...
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 15:51 — robotron2084gives up Pitkanen to move from #7 to #2 he's lost his mind. There's a reason why other teams are interested in Pitkanen and that's precisely why the Canes should hold on to him. As someone else pointed out, if you think the blueline is a problem now, it becomes an absolute disaster without Pitkanen.
Good one
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 12:39 — beer210Romeo Void . . . ha!
Pitkanen isn't the most
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:50 — ctillPitkanen isn't the most consistent player in the league, but I think he's better than your characterization.
Pitiful
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 08:05 — CharlotteCaniacRutherford really crapped the bed on this. He was our most marketable asset at the deadline and keeping him for an extra month got us nothing. This is reminicent to the Sean Hill situation in '03.
You absolutely have to have a better handle on your players than this. If they want to make this team cheaper and avoid free agency signings, the only way to do it is through the draft. We just lost at least a 2nd round selection to keep Ray in vain.
I am really starting to second guess this team.
Just a reminder
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 09:15 — Caniac5Just to state, JR had a deal worked out for Whitney but Whitney used his "ace in the hole (No Trade Clause)" to stay. So, you really cannot blame Whitney for still being here.
But, in my own opinion, we need some veteran influence and Whitney is a good one. So I am not too sad he was still here and wish we could keep him for one more.
Well folks
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 19:17 — esteban1949No matter where the man signs or if he does turn around and cmes back before the end of July...this fan does wish him well..regardless of where he ends up...and if at all...TB would or could be good but would they have the cash Whitney seeks ?
I'm gonna just sit back and watch the soap opera play out...after all isn't that all any of us can actually do ? Be safe out there folks...
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
Ray don't go
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:37 — randycaneSay it ain't so Ray (JR) ! Ray's leadership is needed here, especially if we're going to have a lot of young players who need mentoring! This would be a very bad decision for the Canes, Ray, and particularly the fans!!! I hope this is a (BAD) Business decision, ploy... which is corrected!! JR fix this problem, NOW
Open the door for Brindy?
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:16 — wxray1So, Brindy says he wants to play. JR and co. have sent out vibes that maybe they want him to sit, i.e. be bought out.
Perhaps if Ray
suckersnegotiates a deal with a team to retire to, then this establishes another reason to keep Brindy as the greybeard experienced guy. (Although Brindy can't grow a beard, apparently.)Of course, JR may be in such a budget cutting mood that buying out Brindy, which saves $1M, is still where he goes.
Before we go...
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:00 — robotron2084deciding things are bad decisions, remember there are two parts to any negotiation. If Rutherford were simply slamming the door because Whitney wants more than a 1 yr/$2 million deal, then fine. But what if it's Ray (or his agent because we've seen before how agents say one thing while the player feels differently) insisting that he wants a 3 yr/$9 million deal to keep him from going to free agency. Still think it's a "bad, bad decision"?
Remember also, there was a reason Ray blocked the trade to LA, and it had to do with how long of a contract extension he wanted. He's probably asking for the same thing here and JR could well be balking at signing him for that long especially while Cole and Brind'Amour (how's his veteran presence working out right now?) are fresh in his mind, and on that front, I would not blame him a bit. Bottom line, you can't stop Ray from wanting to test the open market if he wants to without throwing a silly contract at him, and even then, why wouldn't he want to test it to see what he can get (it's undoubtedly the last contract he'll ever get). Nor will I judge a decision unless I know the circumstances of the options.
Bad, Bad Decision!
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:48 — sittler27I have been a staunch supporter of this team and most of the moves made by JR and the organization. This is a bad move. Ray is a leader and great role model both on and off the ice. As evidenced last year he still has good on ice skills. Given the youth movement you still need some solid veterans who can mentor and communicate with kids. None of the rest of the veterans are blessed with Ray's exceptional communication abilities. He is also a tremendous ambassador for the Canes in the local community.
Assuming the contract number was $2.5 million a year, and you replace him with a kid earning $600K, that is a saving of $1.9 million. If the team starts out poorly next season and you lose 1,500 fans a game as we did this past season that's a loss of about $3 million in just gate receipts let alone concessions over the season.
JR and PK should be smarter than that. Sports franchises are valued based on combination of bottom line financial success and also their tradition of winning. This decision helps with neither and i think it is just a bad all around decision and one which the Hurricanes will regret both from a winning perspective as well as financial one. As a fan, this is the first move that they have made since they came here that has registered this negatively with me and I suspect many other loyal fans.
Rethink this JR!!!
And let's assume that the
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:08 — imayagainknowantonAnd let's assume that the team plays like garbage with Whitney on the team....which obviously has happened before. And he continues his decline and you wind up with a mediocre 39-year old one-dimensional second/third line scorer in the following season and AGAIN can't fill real needs for the team because a veteran was given a dumb contract. So the team isn't good this following season (which is likely going to be the case with or without Whitney) and then you are limited to what you can do the next season to fix the team in part due to an albatross Whitney contract.
Ray Whitney is just another complacent veteran wanting a long-term retirement deal. The guy is 38 years old. He refused to waive his NTC to go to a contender unless that team would guarantee him a mult-year contract. Does that not raise a huge red flag.
This is the best news of the offseason.
Whitney complacent? You must
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:53 — ctillWhitney complacent? You must be kidding. So what if he did tire at the end of the season -- six weeks after his average TOI went to 20 minutes per game. No wonder.
Is he looking for maximum dollar and fit for his family? Of course, just as you or I would.
good gamble
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 22:18 — Biff_BeersIf Whitney won't move to another team without a 3-year deal, then JR is wise to low-ball his offer to Whitney for now. Apparently no 3-year deal was offered in March so I can't blame JR for betting one won't be offered in July.
Not accurate
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 20:22 — sittler27That wasn't how that all came down. He would have accepted a rest of the year rental deal to anywhere but JR wanted too much for anyone to make that deal. But to move his family accross the country and then need to move them again at retirement ( becuase if you knew anything about Ray there is no way he would keep his family in LA) can you blame him for wanting a 3 year deal. This had nothing to do with him being a complacent veteran. This was all about him wanting to protect his family.
Ray is a fierce competitor and I have never seen him complacent. I have seen him play through injuries where he wasn't at 100% and perhaps that is what you mistook as complacency. Where else are you going to get a replacement who regularly gets you 60 to 70 points. I still hear that he will give a home town discount to play here. Around $2.5 to $2.75 million for 2 years. I hear he will only be looking for 3 years if he has to relocate.
Interesting that everyone jumps on players who have to pack a lifetime of earnings into a career that ends while most of us are just hitting our stride in careers. And most leave the game with lingering hip, knee, back shoulder and concussion issues. Sure we'd all like to make a big buck to play a game but remember that the average career for a player is around 6 years and only a few make the big dollars. The owners and GMs sure make it regularly clear that its a "business', so can you the blame the players for trying maximize their earnings?
I stand by my earlier statement. Ray will make a huge difference to a young team and, unlike you, I think with the right peices they can readlily finish in the playoffs. I haven't yet given up on Ray being back. We went through a similar dance with LaRose last year.
Money for Whitney -- Buy Out Brind'Amour
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 15:07 — abramsdougIf Whitney would take $2.5 for two years, why not get the money from buying out Brind'Amour. A buy-out saves the team $1,000,000.00. The cash works out $2,500,000 to Whitney and $1,000,000.00 buy-out = $3,500,000.00. A minimum NHL salary of $500,000.00 + $3,000,000.00 to Brind'Amour = $3,500,000.
That's true...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 16:45 — robotron2084for the 1st year, but not the second. Brindy only has one year left on his contract, but the buyout is over two years, isn't it? So in the 2nd year, you're still spending 2.5 + 1 = 3.5 vs. a pair of 500K minimum NHL salaries.
Personally, I know the general feelings on Brind'Amour, but I'd be more willing to buyout Cole and Samsonov and let Brindy play out his tenure if this is just about saving cash.
And the real issue is that we don't even know what JR is offering or what Whitney is looking for. For all we know, Whitney may have passed on 2 yrs/$5million to see what else is offered come July 1st. We really have no idea what the numbers are that are being kicked around. That's why I always hesitate to say "bad decision" or "whatever it takes to get a deal done". There are, and should be, limits.
I think it
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 17:40 — abramsdougI think it works:
2010-2011 Keep Whitney pay him $2,500,000.00, pay $1,000,000 to Brind'Amour; total expenditure $3,500,000
2011-2012 keep Whitney pay him $2,500,000, pay Brind'Amour $1,000,000 total expenditure $3,500,000
2010: Keep Brind'Amour, pay him $3,000,000.00 and pay minimum salary of $500,000 for Whitney replacement: total payment $3,500,000.00
2011: no Brind'Amour payment = $0. Costs: Brind'Amour's replacement + young player's salary
Even more interesting...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:59 — penaltykiller74Wow. Its almost like you were Ray himself. Where do you get your info and insight into what JR and Ray have going on?
I think Ray needs to go, if he doesn't want to play for what he is offered. If its all about the money, he'll get it somewhere else. If its about not moving his family and retiring with the team, he'd have taken what was offered.
Oh, and can you tell me when he used his"no trade clause" during trade deadline, and what JR was wanting and from what team?
Him having a NTC tells me, he never really trusted JR. That being said, if he used it to keep from being a rental player, he was selfish. Family or not, being a rental player means playing for the ultimate goal of winning a Cup. I'm sure many players would sacrifice a couple months away for that chance.
I think he used his NTC so he could shop the free-agent market after the playoffs.
So, good luck Ray. No hard feelings whether you stay or go. Its just business, and not signing a 38 year old to a hefty contract might be a good thing. Right Roddy?
Neighbor and Friend
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 14:08 — sittler27You have a point. Ray is a neighbor and friend as are some other current and former players so I'm not totally objective and hear more than I probabaly should . You are correct with half of what you say but off on the other half. And information printed in the media isn't always correct. You assume Ray asked for a no trade clause.... how do you know it wasn't offerred as a bargaining tool for lower dollars. No trade contracts are just one element of a negotiation and in order to have a no trade clause included there are things given up on the other side. I doubt it had anything to do with "trust'.
This whole dialogue has probably been beat to death and there will be many who don't see eye to eye. I played Juniors and then a few years in the minors before going back for an education and a real job. My bias is obviously much more with the players.
Whitney: Some Questions and Observations
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 15:04 — abramsdougSittler27, I have a few questions. My understanding was that Whitney was willing to waive his NTC to go as a rental if that would help the team. Is that accurate as far as you know?
I had assumed that no team would make a deal with Whitney as a pure rental, and all wanted to be able to at least sign Whitney to an additional year? If that is accurate, I wonder why there is some degree of vagueness to the discussion about the situation.
I agree with you that NTC clauses are negotiated plenty of ties as a substitute for more cash to the player.
Isn't Whitney ultimately going to have to choose between a two year deal someplace else or a one year deal with Carolina with the implicit understanding that if his play warrants it, he will re-sign?
Doesn't the likelihood of Whitney being able to transition into the Hurricanes organization increase if he retires as a Hurricanes player?
I, too, agree with your assessment of Whitney. He is one of the most competitive people around and is a great example for young forwards. I really like him and his wife is also fantastic. It's a shame that the Hurricanes organization is for some reason on a cash cutting mission to the degree it is. It certainly seems to me that buying out Brind'Amour would be my priority in terms of saving money on salary. What's your personal take on whether this party is over or whether it is LaRose and Cole negotiation part II?
My Understanding
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 16:48 — sittler27It was certainly my understanding that Ray would have gone as a rental both to get the team an asset and also as a professional who would have welcomed a cup run. Pittsburgh was often discussed.
My read was that LA was not high on his list of destinations but he understands the business side and if that was the only team on the table then he was going to exercise his contractual no trade right unless the deal was good for him and his family. Both dollars and length of contract then came into play.
I'm as confused as you are with where we are today. It would seem to me that if he leaves and then retires in 2 or 3 years that is a long time gap and the likelihood of him transitioning into front office here would be that much more uncertain. But I also get that it is huge risk for him to sign a one year deal at 38 under the hopes that he will get a second or third year. I think he firmly believes he can be productive at his current level for another two years. He is an intelligent guy and I'm sure he has thought this through very carefully and unlike some other players, he is having a lot of direct input to his agent on what to negotiate. I would have thought there could readily be a deal on the table that would meet both Ray's needs as well as those of the team, even with a tight Cap. So something else is in play here and I have no idea what that might be. JR has shown loyalty and class with other players over the years to help them meet their needs. Look at the deal to send Yelle home to Colorado. And Ray is a reasonable guy who really values being here. Puzzling.
My personal opinion is that it is not over. First off there are a lot of other teams out there who have issues and the market for Ray and a three year deal just may not be there. One thing we know about JR, the door is allways open to talk. I suspect that neither side is yet settled on where they will be personnel wise or contract wise and are playing a wait and see game until after the draft. If the Canes get a forward that they think can crack the lineup, then that is one less roster spot open and it may be impossible to bring Ray back. If they go D and there are no trades, buyouts, etc. then I think Ray remains an option.
Always fun being GM for a day.
Hey Sittler
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 17:47 — robotron2084Really appreciating the insight here. I'm curious about whether you think Ray is actually interested in a front office position with the Canes after his playing days. We tend to throw that out all the time with players. Francis, Wesley, Daniels, Brind'Amour, etc, even A.Ward - everytime someone gets close to retirement the talk of a front office job comes up - well first off, there are only so many, if even ceremonial, positions to be had.
I had heard Ray was building a new home here, but then I also know he likes to go "home" to Canada in the off-season. So I'm curious how interested he is in making this a permanent home after his playing days and whether he'd actually want a Raleigh/Canes-based front office job. If so, what might that job be - what are his post playing day interests (aside from becoming a professional golfer ;)).
Tough transition
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 22:06 — sittler27Anything I have ever heard from Ray and Bridget about the area is highly positive. As you know Bridget is very active in theater and dance and has even worked with Ira David Woods on some productions. I get the impression she could further her career here.
As for Ray.... he is hitting that stage all players go through when retirement is imminent and they have to decide as relatively young men what to do next. If they are smart they will have saved for that event but they want to do something meaningful and stimulating. Glen Wesley went through this a couple of years ago and I know he really struggled to find the right mix of work and new outside interests. He is a truly great guy and I am so happy it has worked for him. I have not had the privilege of this conversation with Ray and unless he volunteers, it is tough to say "heh Ray when you going to retire and what do you plan on doing". It comes accross like you are hinting he should retire. These are proud and fierce competitors that play a high speed collision sport and I'm sure we can empathize that this is a tough life transition.
Tough Transition
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 23:43 — robotron2084No, not at all. I think Ray has at least two years left. He's a thinking man's player. Not blessed with speed where you worry he'll slow down. Not a physical player you worry will breakdown. He thinks the game better than most and that won't leave him.
I was really trying to get a gauge on his bond to the area. Francis and Wesley were very clear that this would be their home post-retirement. My "feeling" has always been that Ray still has strong ties to western Canada, and if so, playing somewhere else for a couple of years before returning there isn't as big a deal than if he was planning to stay here (ie, why uproot for a couple of seasons and then come back).
For now I think the negotiations are all just posturing. Ray wants to be here. JR wants him here. Ray is going to let the market help him maybe get just a little bit more out of JR (unless the gap is just too wide to bridge).
I apologize
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 13:22 — sittler27Sorry Robotron. I was far from clear in my response. I didn't mean to say that you thought he should retire, but rather that if I ask him about it he might conclude I am asking because I think he looks like he should retire. I think it is a touchy subject for these guys as the time get closer.
You are right about the close ties to western Canada both Ray and Bridget. But I'm from there too and Edmonton has 8 months of winter. Great people but so are the folks here and you can't beat the weather and family oriented variety of activities. Calgary is a great city but again, so is the Triangle. It is also tough to crack the front office of these Canadian teams because there are just that many more hockey oriented people, includign former players, to choose from. Even Yzerman couldn't crack these front offices and needed his break in Tampa.
My opinion only, but if Ray is looking for a long term front office career, his best bet is to compromise on his contract demands with Carolina in turn for some job guarantee when he retires. And with his charisma he could also make some extra money doing advertising, promotions, public speaking, etc. He's a natural.
Whitney and the Canes Organization
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 15:17 — abramsdougI think the Canes organization has made it clear that Ray would have a place in the organization when he retires; but I do wonder how playing out his career for three more years would affect that offer. I think it is very, very hard for veteran NHL players to viscerally appreciate and comprehend what life without organized hockey would be for them. I doubt Jim Rutherford is offering chump change although it is bound under the circumstances to be a hefty hometown discount.
I agree with you that given Ray Whitney's charisma and hockey intellect, his future in hockey is far better served by playing a year or two with Carolina, going into their organization, and staying with NHL hockey for years to come. The money issue will solve itself. It's a short term deferral of some income for long term gratification. It's not as if he would be working for Carolina as an NHL player for $7.00 an hour.
Tough transition
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 22:38 — sittler27See above
Whitney
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 17:46 — abramsdougIf I were Whitney's attorney and he had a deal from LA for one more year as a requirement of the trade, I'd tell him no way unless the money was fabulous. If the deal were take a rental for the remainder of the season with LA and then negotiate with the Hurricanes and if that doesn't work then go to UFA, I'd tell him he was crazy not to take that deal. LA would be a perfect showcase for him and although it would be awful to be away from the family for that long, it would be with a team that was in playoff contention and a big stage for him to show his ability.
I am therefore still confused a bit about what went down with L.A. My gut feeling is that unless the self-imposed salary budget is expanded, Whitney will get a better deal elsewhere; but I truly hope I am mistaken about that.
My guess...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 18:03 — robotron2084on the LA deal is that it came down to two options:
1) Whitney would waive his NTC in order to go strictly as a rental. However the LA offer wasn't good enough (ie, a 4th round pick) that JR just decided it wasn't worth losing the exclusive negotiating rights heading into the draft and free agency because he felt (prior to the budget slashing decision) that he had a good chance of re-signing him.
2) LA was willing to pony up some assets if Ray would sign an extension (one year, maybe 2). That would be a deal JR would accept, but Ray wasn't interested in the details of the extension such that he wouldn't waive his NTC. Maybe it was the dollars, maybe he didn't want to move the family to LA for a year (or even two), or maybe he didn't want to forego the option of testing the market over the summer - lots of possible reasons.
So it came down to JR nix'ing option 1 and Ray turning down option 2 and they may have simply run out of time looking for a middle ground.
Right on Point
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:47 — sittler27I think you are right on point. Ray would have gone as a rental but offer from LA not good enough. LA would only offer up what JR wanted if they could get Ray to sign for their offer for 2 years. For Ray either the money from LA had to be higher for 2 years or the contract extended to 3 years. They just could not get all parties on the same page. I always wondered why JR didn't throw in a low draft pick or something to make LA consider that 3rd year. I suspect that LA might not have been able to make the dollars work due to pending CAP issues.
It will be however now be interesting how this all plays out over the coming 8 weeks.
Whitney and Jim Rutherford
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:54 — abramsdougI really don't know exactly what to make of the announcement by Jim Rutherford. I know he is the master of negotiations and that both Cole and LaRose spent a few hours as free agents before signing. It does give me the impression that the Hurricanes salary budget is being deeply slashed.
Whitney strikes me as a tremendous asset to the team; and I really hoped the Hurricanes would re-sign him. I do realize that there are budget constraints; but as I see it, putting together an exciting winning team is the best path toward increased revenue. It seems as if that goal is made harder without Whitney.
Budget slashed
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:11 — wxray1JR and PK have made it pretty clear they want to spend on the cheap side. 2009-10 was a "last shot" at the Cup with the old club, and they spent on the high side.
Got them nowhere, so they are going to go cheap. Let's hope the energy of these youngsters buys us something. Don't expect a cup in '11, but hopefully, at least playoffs, something they can build on. I just fear the total disaster scenario.
let's not...
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:44 — louis12580read too much into this. Will Ray go elsewhere? Maybe. Will Ray end up here? Again, maybe. I don't think he'll go anywhere north of the border. I think he'd stay somewhere on the east coast, most likely landing in Florida playing for the team that is in St Petersburg.
Wouldn't be surprised
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 16:08 — wxray1And don't forget, FL is attractive to players due to the favorable tax structure. Instant raise.
With his good buddy taking
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:43 — jgrant641With his good buddy taking the helm in Tampa, could he "bolt" to sign with the lightning?
Good luck Ray
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:20 — HockeydogI wish Ray the best wherever he lands. He really was the best of the older vets on the team. I hope he gets the contract he wants, but I would love to see him back if not. If Ray will not be back Mr Rutherford should really try ( and I think he is) moving Cole and Samsonov so this team can really start rebuilding. Brind'Amouir will be more complicated so I won't get into that issue in Ray's thread. We'll miss you Ray, hope you go to a contender !
I wonder if Whitney will
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 15:02 — ctillI wonder if Whitney will return to Edmonton, where he played briefly in 1997, or sign with Calgary.
Rutherford was on Hockey
Mon, 06/07/2010 - 14:43 — tcesconRutherford was on Hockey Central on Fan 590 in Toronto this afternoon and said that the team would be spending closer to salary floor than salary cap this year, and that is the major reason behind not re-signing Whit. They are going in a younger (read: cheaper) direction. It is not that Whitney will not re-sign here, it is that other teams will be offering more than Carolina wants to pay him.