(April 28th)
HURRICANES NOT INTERESTED IN EXPENSIVE FREE AGENTS.

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford denying a report in Sunday's NY Post that his club will pursue expensive free agents this summer. The Post claimed the 'Canes were gearing up for another run at signing Detroit's Sergei Fedorov if he opts for UFA status in July. Owner Peter Karmanos stated there would be "no repeat of 1998" when his club had Fedorov signed to an offer sheet, only to see the Wings match it. Karmanos and Rutherford both claim money was "too tight" to afford a major acquisition such as Fedorov. The only exception could be attempting to re-sign defenceman Glen Wesley, who waived his no-trade clause to join the Maple Leafs prior to the trade deadline. The blueliner maintains a home in Carolina and stated he was open to returning to the Hurricanes.

Spector's Note: This confirms what I stated yesterday in dismissing the Post's story. Times have changed since five years ago, and while I'm sure Karmanos wouldn't mind another shot at sticking it to rival Mike Illich, he cannot afford to pursue Fedorov now.

HURRICANES TO PURSUE FEDOROV?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Detroit Red Wings apparently aren't confident about their chances of re-signing impending UFA forward Sergei Fedorov, who earlier this season rejected a five-year, $50 million US offer. Brooks claims the Carolina Hurricanes, who had Fedorov signed to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent in 1998 before the Wings matched the offer, may pursue Fedorov in the UFA market. Brooks cites the 'Canes previous attempt to sign Fedorov, as well as the antagonism between Hurricanes owner Peter Karmonos and Red Wings owner Mike Illich, adding Karmanos would do this signing not only to improve his club, but to get back at Illich.

Spector's Note: Anything's possible, but that was then and this is now. The Hurricanes tried to sign Feds to a six-year, $36 million US contract, which would be a bargain in today's NHL market for a player of his calibre. If Fedorov is seeking five years at $12 mil per season as speculated, there's no way the Hurricanes, who are in a cost-cutting mode and have to deal with the intricacies of extricating themselves from Arturs Irbe's contract, won't be able to out-bid the free-spending NY Rangers, or for that matter, the Red Wings.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

HURRICANES TO SHOP THEIR FIRST ROUND PICK?

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reported last week the depth of the upcoming draft might have the Carolina Hurricanes considering dealing down in the draft. The 'Canes presently have the second overall pick in the draft, and the club may consider using the pick to bring in " a pure offensive talent", which is lacking in their system. Much of the focus of this year's draft is centered on goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, whom some perceive as a franchise goaltender. However, Decock points out there's "nothing certain" about a goalie's development, while the Hurricanes need to boost their offence is more pressing. The club might be willing to move the pick for the right price, but probably won't go lower than tenth overall.

Spector's Note: The top three picks in this year's draft (the Florida Panthers hold the first overall, while the Pittsburgh Penguins hold third overall) are going to attract a lot of interest. Expect trade rumours to heat up over those picks as the June draft weekend (June 21-22) approaches.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

HURRICANES TO PART WAYS WITH IRBE.

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has told the agent for goalie and last spring's playoff hero Arturs Irbe that he no longer has space on his roster or that of his farm team's for the veteran Latvian. Rutherford also encourage Paul Theofanus, Irbe's agent, to make inquiries with other teams to talk contract and possible trade options for his client.

Spector's Note: Irbe cleared waivers last season and no teams appear willing to pick up his salary for the next two seasons. The Hurricanes don't want to buy him out (minimum price - nearly $3.5 million US), but they may be faced with no other option. Any team with interest in Irbe will want at least that much of his contract "eaten" by the 'Canes.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

HURRICANES TO SIGN A FREE AGENT DEFENCEMAN?

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has become frustrated in his attempts to trade for blueline depth , and may seek additional funds from ownership to pursue a defenceman in the unrestricted free agent market. Decock believes Rutherford may try to re-sign former 'Canes blueliner Glen Wesley or failing that could pursue Colorado's Greg de Vries. Following the season, Rutherford was critical of Aaron Ward, Niclas Wallin and David Tanabe, which Decock says led to speculation one or more could be dealt this summer. Rutherford didn't rule out trading for a defenceman if his attempts at a free agent signing fall through. Regarding his first round pick, second overall, Rutherford claimed he's been contacted by "a half-dozen team" who'd like to obtain the pick in order to draft goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, but he believes serious interest in his pick won't occur until it's determined what moves the Florida Panthers, who own the first overall pick, decide to make.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

MARKOV REFUSING TO PLAY FOR CAROLINA?

TORONTO SUN: Al Strachan reported yesterday defenceman Danny Markov, traded this past weekend to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Phoenix Coyotes, may not be playing in the NHL next season. Apparently, Markov has told the Hurricanes he's signed a contract to play for a Russian team next season. Carolina GM Jim Rutherford doubts this, suggesting Markov is merely this as a negotiating ploy to land the $3.2 million per season he's seeking, which was why the Coyotes traded him. Strachan also writes that if Markov has signed with a Russian team, he'll have "escape clauses" to allow him to return to the NHL, plus he's also applied for a "green card" in order to continue working in the United States.

Spector's Note: My thanks to "LP" for sending this in. This suddeness of Markov's decision to play in Russia next season obviously is a ploy to land the big contract he's seeking. There was never any prior indication from he or his agent that he was unhappy with contract talks with the Coyotes prior to this deal, and as Strachan noted, if it's all about money, he won't even make a quarter of what he'd stand to make in the NHL if he plays in Russia next season. Perhaps Markov simply doesn't wanna go to Carolina?

hehe arschkarte gezogen würd ich ma sagen

HURRICANES MAKE A PITCH TO WESLEY.

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford made a one-year contract offer to former 'Cane Glen Wesley, who's also entertaining an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the club Rutherford traded Wesley to late last season. Rutherford also nearly had a deal in place for defenceman Karlis Skrastins, but it fell through and the Nashville Predators dealt Skrastins to the Colorado Avalanche. Rutherford also contacted Greg de Vries's agent but his asking price will be too much for the Hurricanes. Rutherford also plans on meeting with defenceman Danny Markov on Friday to convince him to play for the Hurricanes next season, rather than return to Russia.

Spector's Note: Rutherford's certainly wasting little time in shoring up his blueline. Of all these, the most important is to convince Markov to play for the 'Canes.

Wesley headed back to Carolina

Canadian Press

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Glen Wesley to a one-year $2.75-million US contract, beating out the Toronto Maple Leafs among other teams for his services.
The Hurricanes acquired a second-round pick in next year's NHL entry draft in exchange for sending the veteran blue-liner to Toronto in March. Then they got him back for nothing on Tuesday.
``It did work out well,'' Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday from Raleigh, N.C. ``He tested the free-agent market for a little while. We had made a one-year offer to him which we stuck to. When he initially rejected that offer, I thought that he was probably going somewhere else.

``But this all came back to us last night, they asked us if we were still interested and the answer was yes and we got it done.''
Wesley, 34, had one goal and 10 assists in 70 games with Carolina and Toronto last season and was particularly effective for the Leafs in their first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia, averaging over 27 minutes of ice time a game.
He made $2.5 million last season.
Wesley is a dependable defensive defenceman who makes good decisions with the puck while also helping the transition game. The Leafs had hoped to get him back, especially after Robert Svehla announced his retirement.
The fact that Wesley had played nine seasons with the Hurricanes franchise appears to have been the deciding factor.
``I don't think there's any question of that,'' Rutherford said. ``Because he could have stretched us out longer trying to get his long-term deal. But the fact that no one stepped up in free agency on a long-term deal I think he just wanted to get this settled.
``He's been a big part of the community in Raleigh-Durham and he's been a big part of our team for a long time so we're real glad to have him back.''
The looming labour war in September 2004, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires, played a part in Wesley only getting a one-year deal.
``It doesn't mean we only want Wesley for one year but we just don't know what the future holds after next season,'' Rutherford said.
Rutherford feels the re-acquisition of Wesley solidifies a defence corps that also features newcomer Danny Markov.
``Our blue-line looks really good now, and actually in my opinion better than the one that went to the Cup final,'' Rutherford said. ``But that still means we have to get Danny Markov signed.''
Markov, whose rights were acquired from Phoenix for David Tanabe at the NHL draft in Nashville earlier this month, is contemplating playing in Russia next season.

Atenio

Bapho!

Carolina signs young defenseman to one-year deal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to a one-year contract worth $375,000 on Thursday.
St. Jacques showed promise at the end of last season after being acquired Feb. 7 from Philadelphia. He had two goals and five assists in 18 games with the Hurricanes.
The 22-year-old St. Jacques could move into the lineup if Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford can't sign Danny Markov, who was acquired in a draft-day trade from Phoenix. Markov, a restricted free agent, is threatening to play in Russia if he doesn't get a contract he likes from the Hurricanes.
St. Jacques played 20 or more minutes in seven of his 18 games with Carolina.
Defense was one of the Hurricanes' weakness last season. Carolina allowed 240 goals, third-worst in the Eastern Conference.
The team signed veteran free agent Glen Wesley, who played with the club last year before being traded to Toronto, to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million Tuesday.

http://www.nhl.com

Atenio

Bapho!

Hurricanes obtain D Boughner from Flames for draft pick

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Carolina Hurricanes continued to retool their defense Wednesday, acquiring rugged veteran Bob Boughner from the Calgary Flames for a 2004 fourth-round draft pick and future considerations.

Known more for his physical play, Boughner had the best offensive season of his eight-year career in 2002-03 with three goals and 14 assists in 69 games. He also tied for second on the team with 126 penalty minutes and posted the Flames' top plus-minus rating at plus-5.

"Bob is a tough, character veteran who will provide added leadership to our defense," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said.

Boughner 32, has 14 goals, 46 assists and 1,240 penalty minutes in 535 games with Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Calgary.

Since going from the Stanley Cup Finals to last place in the Southeast Division, Carolina has acquired Boughner and defenseman Danny Markov in trades and brought back unrestricted free agent Glen Wesley.

Q:nhl.com

John LeClair breaks down the left wing all alone, moves into the circle and cranks a wicked slap shot with zero hesitation. The baffled goaltender is left with no answers, just questions as the First Union Center's horn blazes and the crowd booms.