The Hurricanes had to give up a fourth-round draft pick to erase two offseason mistakes Saturday.
In obtaining forward Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Wade Brookbank, Josef Melichar and a fourth-round pick, the Canes picked up a useful player and dumped one useless player and one that wasn't being used, but gave up a draft pick to do it.
Brookbank played a key role in the Hurricanes' second-half charge last season, but he was growing moss on the bench since Paul Maurice took over — making $475,000 on a one-way deal. He deserved better.
As for Melichar, he'll go down as one of Jim Rutherford's all-time worst free-agent signings — brought over from Europe for $1 million, he was shipped off to the minors after failing to impress in 15 appearances.
Jokinen has the potential to help the Canes at forward, but they could have had him for nothing on waivers earlier this week. To make him fit, they had to balance out the salaries, and to get Tampa to take Brookbank and Melichar, they had to give up the pick.
Oops.
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 829-8947 or 
Comments
Trading points
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 10:56 — groovinsmokeNot that I don't agree with everyone else saying that we should have picked up Jokinen on waivers, but we sure could have dumped off Brookbank and Melichar early. I know that with salary caps and all it is very hard to find a player for the right price. I think that we should still look into the back line, players like Kaberle and Babchuk just aren't getting it done. Anton looks alot better than last year, when he decided to show his ass to the franchise. I still think that looking for offensive defensemen was a bad choice. How about looking for a Zdeno Chara in our lineup, or a Chris Chelios. I know that is something that is few and far between, but let's face it, we have no depth in our defensive line. Not to mention that we suffer injury after injury with these guys. Every night is a gamble between who will be able to play next game. As for our front line, well that list is a little longer than I want it to be. When you HAVE to rely on Staal getting your team into that mode of scoring and taking S.O.G that is not a good thing. You can't be dependent on one or two players night in and night out. Looking through the lineup I can see where there are opportunities that should be taken. Eaves for Stillman? Was that really the best thing JR? I mean Corvo for Commodore was one thing, but you gave up a player that had 40+ points for a player that was injured when we got him. Not to mention that he has done nothing for us since being able to play this year. Williams: I know that many will disagree but the guy can't stay healthy. Should we pay the amount of money that we do for a guy that can't stay off the IR list. Brind'Amour: I know that I have put my stamp on this one before and I know the mixed feeling about him. I know that he is a 2x selke trophy winner and the best face off man in the league, but is that enough to keep someone that we have yet to see do much of anything this year? I think that JR needs to re-evaluate his situation with the team as a whole and weed out the problems. I know that is easier said than done, and with that I also must add Maurice to that list. I don't think that bringing him back was a wise decision either, look at what place we ended in the year after the 02 run. Then look at the track record in Toronto, does a guy like that need to be in Carolina? I think that a coach like a Mike Babcock.....arrrg, would be something that we need. Mo just seems too laid back for this position, almost as if he knows that he isn't going to be around. I am embarrassed for the guys right now, 3 of the last 4 games ending in horrific losses, no forecheck really established, no one shooting on power plays, killing penalties as if they were playing pond hockey. The list goes on, but I think that we NEED more depth, in every aspect, on this team. We won't be looking at the playoffs anytime soon if we don't start lighting a fire under someones ass now.
One of the worst ever? I'll see your Melichar....
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 22:28 — MrKnockoffand raise you a Pavel Brendl.
What? Not unshrewd enough?? how about Jan Hlavac. Melichar is no better than the third worst acquisition.
free agent vs. trade
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 17:17 — jpgBrendl was in the Kapanen trade and Hlavac was in the Malik trade, not free agents.
trades vs. free agency
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 18:08 — ldecock (author)Trades are another discussion. Rutherford has a pretty good record with free agents, when he has money to spend. When he's forced to pinch pennies, the results aren't as good (Melichar, Jeff Hamilton, Tanabe III, Jamie Storr, off the top of my head — someone else can feel free to post the good ones).
In 2004 and 2005, he added Frank Kaberle, Matt Cullen, Cory Stillman, Ray Whitney and Oleg Tverdovsky as free agents, the first four playing vital roles in the Stanley Cup win.
As for Tverdovsky and Melichar, both of whom had to be dispatched in salary-dumping trades, maybe a team that does almost no European scouting shouldn't be in the habit of bringing players back from Europe. (The book remains open on Anton Babchuk in that regard.)
How could you forget...
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 23:13 — CanarseSigning Frank Kaberle after the Cup win. Make that the 4th worst move.
JR and Melichar and Brookbank
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 15:30 — abramsdougI disagree with Luke DeCock about the handling of Brookbank by Paul Maurice as well as his dig at JR for signing Melichar. Although Brookbank seems by all accounts to be a fine person and a good teammate, he lacked the skills needed by the Hurricanes. When JR picked up Melichar, the Hurricanes defense looked to be extremely vulnerable. As it turns out, Seindenberg, Babchuk, and Rodney have all played quite well; and the Hurricanes defense is surprisingly strong. Carson and Borer seem to be on track as well. It would be simple to be an NHL General Manager if one had the gift of being able to look into the future and see how players actually perform; but it's far more an art than a science. As for a fourth-round pick, given the Hurricanes roster, there is not a tremendous likelihood that a fourth-round pick would be able to make the team.
Jokinen
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 13:06 — louis12580It will be interesting to see what else Jim has in mind. Jokinen can play at any forward position and will be a contributor, if needed, for the shoot out. Brookbank didn't fit into the coaching staffs plans for the team. Melichar was a bust. What is interesting is the lack of disclosure as to what is wrong with Scott. I was at the game when he got cross checked to the ice and he hasn't played since then. Jokinen's contract is up at the end of the year. It remains to be seen what he will do for the 'Canes. If he produces, they might want to re-sign him given the ages of some of the others who will be free agents. There is depth in the AHL at defense, now they have to do the same at forward.
Paying the price?
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 08:13 — mflynnJim Rutherford has shown over the years to be a pretty schrewd GM. He could have picked him up off the wire twice but didn't. While we all can make mistakes, I don't believe JR to be stupid or incompetent. He is managing his payroll, team chemistry, and contracts.
Jokinen
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 06:22 — esteban1949cleared waivers twice...Once in December and again just last week...and i too was disappointed with malichar, but he was playing better when he was at Albany than he was when he was with the canes...I'll have to check on the Rats record books about that. And he should fit in wll with the Norfolk Admirals if that is where TB sends him. Brookbank has the talent &skills. Why he slipped off into mediocrity i don't know. No one from the N&O or THN has bothered to interview him, so we have no idea or clue. Lots of "speculation" and idle gossip though. yep pro hockey like the soaps, the story & the season goes on !
Brookbank has what? I'm
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 10:40 — redblackhockeyBrookbank has what?
I'm pretty sure that "taking hooking penalties" isn't considered to be a talent or a skill.
that doesn't make sense...
Sat, 02/07/2009 - 23:08 — jgrant641ok, if they picked Jokinen off waivers they were then responsible for the remainder of his salary for this season... as well as the salary for brookbank and melichar.
brookbank was such an expensive bench warmer, who never seemed to play despite injuries to others, and melichar was sent to the minors and ,correct me if i am wrong, he was getting paid nhl salary in the AHL. Any pick below a 3rd round pick has always been considered a pot sweetener... of course we all know any pick could become an all-star, but in terms of worth a 4th round pick is worth less in the nhl. A third round pick is the equivalent to a league minimum player in the NHL.
so to break it down we claim jokinen off waivers we add $618,902 to our budget
or...
we trade
1)Wade Brookbank = $162,195
2)Josef Melichar = $341,463
and a 4th round pick to sweeten the deal
618902
-503659
_______
and realistically only lose $115,244
... assuming any of my math is right.
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I am Johnnyg and I approved this message.
Nothing??
Sat, 02/07/2009 - 21:21 — vdotunothing? I thought if a team claimed a player on waivers they had to pick up half of the salary. Please clarify what you mean by "nothing".
Sort of nothing
Sat, 02/07/2009 - 23:12 — sarasota_canes_fanAfter clearing waivers, had Jokinen been recalled to Tampa he would have to clear re-entry waivers. If Carolina pulls the trigger at that time and claims him, Carolina is on the hook for half the salary. Had Carolina claimed him when he was first put on waivers this week, we could have had him at the same salary we are currently paying for him. And it wouldn't have cost them a fourth round pick. But, as Luke writes, that was the price to unload two other contracts.
correct
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 11:51 — ldecock (author)Couldn't have said it better myself: They could have claimed Jokinen on waivers for a nominal fee, but without giving up any assets and adding his salary to the payroll.
To make room for his salary, they had to dump two bad salaries and give up the pick to do it. (This isn't uncommon in the new NHL — many players go unclaimed on waivers, then are traded in a salary-offset deal almost immediately; the Rangers and Wild swapping Dan Fritsche and Eric Reitz after Fritsche went on waivers comes to mind.)
And a fourth-round pick, in the right hands, is an asset: Niclas Wallin and Josef Vasicek, to name two that panned out for Carolina in the past
"And a fourth-round pick,
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 10:30 — Sun"And a fourth-round pick, in the right hands, is an asset"
*cough*
I think you did say it
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 16:51 — fanI think you did say it better yourself.
The implication of the poster to whom you replied was that he could have been taken off re-entry waivers if the Canes had wanted. Is there evidence that he was ever assigned to Norfolk? And if he had, no guarantee that the Canes get him on the discounted re-entry.
Everything else? Sure.
A fair point. This is the
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 18:02 — ldecock (author)A fair point. This is the part I agreed with:
As for re-entry waivers, my understanding is that he was never on them, so it's a moot point.