Today’s Sports 2.0 feature on ex-Canes coming to the end of their careers included a quote from Kevyn Adams, who at 34 is considering his hockey future. One of the most popular fourth-liners ever to play for the Canes, he’s in a tough spot.
He missed most of last season with a major knee injury, but the Chicago Blackhawks promised him a contract if he went to training camp with them. By the time camp ended, they still hadn’t freed up the salary-cap space. Adams was cut loose, too late to get into camp with another team.
He had a few offers to go to camp elsewhere over the summer, although teams were concerned about his health, but thought the Blackhawks’ offer was the best option. He re-rented his house there and enrolled his kids in school, only to be left hanging.
Now, he’s facing some of the toughest questions an athlete can ask himself, including the big one: Is it over?
“Every athlete faces it at some point,” Adams said. “I’m not going to be the kind of guy that fights it. I know I can play, but if the writing’s on the wall, the writing is on the wall, right or wrong. Whether it’s 34 or 35 or 36, there’s no sense fighting it.”
Adams would have loved to return to Carolina, but the Canes had Brandon Sutter ready to step in and serve a fourth-line internship as a rookie — logic Adams understands.
“At 34, to be a fourth-line guy, teams are not sure I can stay healthy,” Adams said. “A team would rather put in a 22-year-old who’s spent a year or two in the minors, pay him same money and be a guy they drafted. …
“I’ve won a Cup and done a lot of things and can bring a lot to a team, but it’s different for me than a guy like Roddy (Brind’Amour). It’s a similar injury, but he’s a top-line guy, not a depth guy. I’m in shape. If the phone rings I’m ready.”
So now he sits. And waits. And wonders.
UPDATE: Bret Hedican has signed with the Anaheim Ducks.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
Give KA a call
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 22:12 — Anonymous (not verified)Adams was really treated poorly by Chicago. Word needs to get out that that is a team to avoid. Given the mounting injuries to the Canes, I wonder if JR would consider bringing Kevyn back, or whether the bridges have been burned. I think he bounced back after his injury last year and had a decent pre-season. What do you think?
ka
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 14:16 — Anonymous (not verified)dont need him, dont want him.
Never needed him, nor never
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 22:25 — Anonymous (not verified)Never needed him, nor never wanted him.
I always love the carebears who seem to hope and pray for athletes they really know nothing about aside from watching them play a sport!
I will reserve my prayers and hopes for the soldiers abroad; not for some hockey player who made some good money playing a freekn game!
I would agree
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 10:57 — esteban1949No one who plays or competes in professional sports knows that one day...wether they are ready or not..time and life with pass all of us by...how well one prepares for when that times comes...is a factor on how well one is prepared or has his/her priorities in line...But i agree Chicago did Adams wrong, so very wrong ,like Sevard ...but seeing none of us here own or have a majority control in any team...we too can decide if we want to go to a game or listen on TV or internet...but in Kevyn's case, there is no real way to prepare...when one gets blindsided is there ? I hope and pray the best for him...Thanks Luke for keeping us..the little people on top of what's going on... Go Canes !!
any word on Bret Hedican and
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 09:52 — Anonymous (not verified)any word on Bret Hedican and Brandon Nolan?
Hedican wasnt even invited to try out with anybody, was that his choice? where there offers for him?
Brandon Nolan was qualified and the team was awaiting an injury status, it looked like Training camp was the target... then nothing.
Hedican and Nolan
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 11:57 — ldecock (author)Hedican turned down an approach from Tampa Bay. It was in the article in today's paper. (I added the link above as well.)
I'm not sure whether the Canes ended up tendering Nolan a qualifying offer, but in any case he never signed because of his concussion problems. He remains out.
Kevyn deserves better
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 09:51 — JRs_FaultHe's a key victim of the 'Hawk's two headed cap-monster in Goal... I still don't fully understand the Huet signing. Kevyn has always been a class act and deserved better than this... as did Savard. Let's hope he stays ready and lands somewhere before Christmas...
You have to hope that some
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 09:22 — Anonymous (not verified)You have to hope that some team finds a place for K. Ads. He's never going to be that top line scoring threat, but I don't think you could ask for a better depth player that brings leadership and good character into a locker room.
Sign him and plug him on the
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 09:13 — irbefan (not verified)Sign him and plug him on the fourth line wing.
always a class act
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 08:58 — Anonymous (not verified)I wish nothing but the best for Kevyn and his family. It seems like he got a raw deal in Chicago this year. Even though I don't know all the details it sounds like he still handled it with professionalism.
I hope that he catches on with a team before too long. It seems like his chances are pretty good since he would be cheap and injuries are dropping guys like flies all around the league.