Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Canes acquiring a new face to replace LaRose


Recommended Posts

Source: News and Observer

Erik Cole's flirtation with free agency proved to be brief.

Cole officially went on the NHL's open market as an unrestricted free agent at noon Wednesday. Less than four hours later, the power forward signed a new, two-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes that pays him $2.8 million next season and $3 million in the 2010-11 season.

But while the Canes quickly were able to reach an agreement with Cole, general manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday night that unrestricted free-agent forward Chad LaRose likely would sign with another team.

Rutherford said he had been in discussions with LaRose's agent, Patrick Morris, throughout the day. At one point Wednesday afternoon, there was optimism in the Hurricanes' front office that LaRose might accept a new three-year contract.

"It's not going to happen," Rutherford said later. "I informed [Morris] that we had another deal we were working on, that I was giving him a courtesy call. He said he would run everything by Chad and call back in an hour. I waited, but they never called back.

"Obviously, they have a deal somewhere else. So we're working on signing another free agent. It's time to move on."

Rutherford would not say which free agent the Canes might be considering.

Things moved quickly with Cole, though.

"Erik did exactly what he said he would do," Rutherford said. "He wanted to test the market to see if any teams were interested. But Erik did not want to leave. It played out the way it should."

Cole signed a three-year contract with the Canes in July 2006 that paid him $4 million a year. Traded to the Edmonton Oilers after the 2007-08 season for defenseman Joni Pitkanen, he was brought back to the Canes in a deal finalized late on the March 4 deadline.

Cole had 15 points -- two goals, 13 assists -- in Carolina's last 17 regular-season games, helping the Canes surge into the Stanley Cup playoffs. But his negotiating leverage diminished in the playoffs as he failed to score in 18 games.

"We told [the Canes] we would come back for less than Erik might get on the open market, but we wanted what was fair," Cole's agent, Steve Bartlett of Sports Consulting Group, said Wednesday. "We told Jim [Rutherford] we would not drag this out ... but we did want to make an informed decision.

"It's important for a professional athlete to make money, but it's also important to be with a team and among people you want to be with. Erik's excited. He's got a Hurricane [logo] tattooed somewhere on his body."

It was another hectic free-agent signing day elsewhere in the NHL -- "Canada Day" in the country up north. The Vancouver Canucks came to terms with twin forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin signed with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Canes stayed busy, as well. Though Cole and LaRose were the top priorities, free-agent forwards Michael Ryan and Patrick Dwyer agreed to new two-way contracts Wednesday.

Dwyer, 25, made his NHL debut with the Canes last year and played 13 games during his three recalls from the Albany River Rats, Carolina's American Hockey League affiliate. Dwyer also appeared in two Stanley Cup playoff games, recording one assist.

Ryan, 29, played in 18 games for the Canes and had two assists while averaging 8:12 of ice time. He led the River Rats with 25 goals while playing just 40 of the team's 80 regular-season games.

Rutherford said Dwyer, a capable penalty killer, and Ryan "add important depth to our organization."

The Canes have two other unrestricted free agents -- defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and forward Ryan Bayda. Rutherford has said the team would not re-sign Seidenberg, whose market value could be well above the $1.2 million he was paid last year. Bayda has been offered a two-way contract and could return.

Rutherford said Wednesday that re-signing defenseman Anton Babchuk, a restricted free agent, would be "an issue that takes some time to settle."

Babchuk played last season with a one-year, $1 million contract.

He has been given a $1 million qualifying offer by the Hurricanes and has no arbitration rights -- Babchuk left to play in Russia in the 2007-08 season while under contract.

"We've been told Anton will not play for the qualifier," Rutherford said.

Babchuk has three options at this point. He can accept Carolina's offer, return to Russia or be traded by the Hurricanes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Chad LaRose on a two-year contract. The deal will pay LaRose $1.5 million in 2009-10 and $1.9 million in 2010-11.

“Chad has grown into a key player for our franchise,” said Rutherford. “He had his best year last season and is an important penalty killer and popular player in our locker room and with our fans.”

LaRose, 27, established career highs in games played (81), goals (19) and points (31), and matched his career-best in assists (12) in 2008-09. The Fraser, MI, native ranked tied for first among Hurricanes skaters in shorthanded goals (2), and was second in shorthanded points (4), fifth in total goals (19) and sixth in plus/minus (+6). During the Stanley Cup playoffs, LaRose (5’10”, 181 lbs.) ranked tied for second on the team in scoring (11 points) and third on the team in assists (7), skating in all 18 of Carolina’s postseason contests.

Originally signed by the Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent in August 2003, LaRose has totaled 37 goals and 48 assists (85 points) and 126 penalty minutes in 268 career NHL games with the Hurricanes. In 39 career playoff games, he has tallied 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists), capturing the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Babchuk as made the mistake of going back to Russia once already. I dont think he will do it again. I read an interview with him this season about how bad it was playing over there. He now has a second season in the NHL to compare with playing his last in Russia, he likes having planes to travel on and not buses. Staying at nice hotels in every city instead nasty rundown places in Russia. Plus, I doubt he is going to get more money there than he is here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • If we pay Bryce like a franchise QB we're completely and utterly buttfuged.
    • In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
    • If everything played out and that last thing happened, I probably just quit. 
×
×
  • Create New...