Tanabe a camp no-show
The Canes took the ice this morning at the RBC Center for their first training camp practice sessions. Among the missing: David Tanabe.
General manager Jim Rutherford recently said the defenseman was obligated to be at training camp as a player under contract.
Tanabe missed much of last season with an apparent concussion and still not been ruled healthy enough to play by doctors.
The Canes sought to buy out Tanabe’s contract but a grievance was filed by the NHLPA because of his injury. Rutherford said today that an arbitration hearing will be held in Washington, D.C., to resolve the issue. The date has not been set, but the hearing probably will be mid-October, Rutherford said
“Either rule that he’s a roster player and he’s injured, and he reports for rehab and hopefully we can get him healthy and play again, or rule he’s a player who can be bought out,” Rutherford said. “That’s all we ask.”
Tanabe is due to be paid $900,000 this year.
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
Agree
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 07:05 — reelpirate (not verified)"Don't be so quick to judge that Rutherford wasn't informed that Tanabe wouldn't be at camp. He could very likely be unable to fly or travel to Raleigh due to post-concussion syndrome and because of the pending legal case I wouldn't trust everything the Canes management says either, they and their medical staff are the ones that allowed him to play through a concussion in the first place."
I would agree with this. For all of the things that are known, concussions remain one of the few mysteries. I think as more research continues to be done, we are going to find that the effects can and often do last a lifetime. We don't know how bad Tanabe's post concussion symptoms are affecting him, but from what I know they can be devastating. None of you who have posted regarding his lack of attempts to contact his teammates or management know this to be factual. Just because you heard a rumor, or read a comment by JR in the paper, doesn't make it so. Just let it play out, and hopefully in the end the truth will be known.
Is it possible he could just be trying to keep those paychecks coming when he knew he was the odd-man out....sure, but it is also possible he is suffering from an injury that could dog him for years.
Agree
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 07:03 — reelpirate (not verified)"Don't be so quick to judge that Rutherford wasn't informed that Tanabe wouldn't be at camp. He could very likely be unable to fly or travel to Raleigh due to post-concussion syndrome and because of the pending legal case I wouldn't trust everything the Canes management says either, they and their medical staff are the ones that allowed him to play through a concussion in the first place."
I would agree with this. For all of the things that are known, concussions remain one of the few mysteries. I think as more research continues to be done, we are going to find that the effects can and often do last a lifetime. We don't know how bad Tanabe's post concussion symptoms are affecting him, but from what I know they can be devastating. None of you who have posted regarding his lack of attempts to contact his teammates or management know this to be factual. Just because you heard a rumor, or read a comment by JR in the paper, doesn't make it so. Just let it play out, and hopefully in the end the truth will be known.
Is it possible he could just be trying to keep those paychecks coming when he knew he was the odd-man out....sure, but it is also possible he is suffering from an injury that could dog him for years.
compare
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 22:41 — Anonymous (not verified)Compare the efforts made by Cullen and Tanabe to recover from concussions side by side then you will see why Tanabe lost the locker room and everybody else within the organization.
Tanabe sits at home - while Cullen worked hard, stayed in touch with his team mates,reported to team meetings and did everything and more than was asked of him to do.
All Tanabe had to do was be driven to Rutherford's plush office at the RBC center and explain his situation. Even if he could not handle the car trip a phone call and/or invitation to Rutherford to visit him most likely would of been accepted with open arms.
I hate he got hurt but I have no sympathy or respect for he handled himself afterward.
And I'll add - when everybody was ready to run Tanabe out of town the 2nd time I defended him here and on the kiddie loaded message board that is the official forum of the Hurricanes.
Seriously - if Tanabe was in your employ ... how would you handle his response or lack of when you have guys like Cullen,Brindy and Williams killing themselves just so they can return to the ice before last seasons end.
Take a hint from his teammates - they know the 411 and thats why he is not welcomed back.
Dressing Room?
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 13:30 — Anonymous (not verified)Tanabe wasn't welcome in the dressing room the last time he left town. Why should this time be any different? This stuff started last spring when Tanabe quit showing up for his rehab and started behaving strangely. The rumor was that he was afraid of being activated and sent down to Albany and taking the pay cut. Who knows what his angle is this year. The NHL is over for Tanabe whether it's because of a cuncussion or because he's just undesireable.
Tanabe
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 11:03 — sunnydDave, I hope you invested wisely cause your career is over and you Suck!! Good-bye!!! The Canes gave you abreak when nobody else wanted you. Good-bye!!!
Even if he showed up...
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 19:35 — AD (not verified)I have a feeling he would not be welcome in the dressing room. He has shown little or no respect for his teammates or the organization.
A phone call is not hard to make. NO more excuses, concussion or not.
Be gone Tanabe.
Seriously...!?
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 08:04 — Anonymous (not verified)Wow.....first, no sympathy for a guy who has post concussion syndrome. Second, what would you do if your team (employer) was obligated to support you and stand by you while you were unhealthy, but tried to stick it to you? The Hurricanes knew and were informed Tanabe was still feeling serious post-concussion symptoms and still tryed to buy him out. This move on their part was out right shady and they know it. Now JR is trying to play the victim card and act like they haven't done anything wrong when he is the one who tried to stick it to DT in the beginning. I have a feeling the NHLPA is going to take a serious look at this case due to the Canes mis-handling... Finally, from what I have heard, it sounds like Tanabe doesn't even have a place in Raleigh anymore. If the the Canes were smart, they should have played their cards better. We need quality D-men and they stick it to DT. Smooth move....don't be so quick to judge.
phuey!
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 17:12 — caniac1026 (not verified)Sorry, but this has been going on too long. If Tabs had tried to contact Roddy, Lavi, or JR we would have heard about it. He hasn't even called the N&O for pete's sake. I have no more sympathy for DT: slack!
As I recall Tanabe lives in
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 14:23 — Anonymous (not verified)As I recall Tanabe lives in Raleigh. I've seen references to him just needing to drive down to the arena (or even having someone drive him) on several occasions.
Don't be so quick to judge
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 13:52 — Anonymous (not verified)Don't be so quick to judge that Rutherford wasn't informed that Tanabe wouldn't be at camp. He could very likely be unable to fly or travel to Raleigh due to post-concussion syndrome and because of the pending legal case I wouldn't trust everything the Canes management says either, they and their medical staff are the ones that allowed him to play through a concussion in the first place.
Mind blowing
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 12:03 — Anonymous (not verified)It is really mind blowing that David Tanabe is being so unprofessional. All he has to do is show up... he does not even have to play or take hits or anything.
Even more aggravating is the fact that the Hurricanes organization gave him a legitimate chance to get his carrier turned around and on the right track. If he can't play because of an injury that is one thing... but he doesn't have to keep the organization and his team mates in the dark over the whole situation.
The least he could do is show up. Either way, his carrier is over.
No Show ?
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 12:03 — esteban1949Boy that stinks...Hey...If Captain Rod can show up even if he can only waddle around the ring...you think he'd at least call or have his lawyer or agent ( agents...Bah ! Humbug !!) call the coach...myself If i was th coach and he did show up later this week...1500.00 a day fine for missing each day...Not taking anything away from the guy..but I has to agree with JR ( call a doctor...I be sick!!) on this one...even if he didn't or couldn't dress or skate...at least show up...Hey Chip...who else didn't show or call in ? Crabby Caniacs are just dying to know !!
Go Canes !!
Thanks for keeping us up to
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 10:08 — Anonymous (not verified)Thanks for keeping us up to date Chip.
Two sides to the story..
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 21:13 — Anonymous (not verified)I'm sure that there are 2 sides to the story--and the fans only have a glimpse of one side of it. Hopefully Chipper can enlighten the readership with what really went down with some good investigative reporting. That has been absent so far......