Raleigh NC. In a series of trades this week the Carolina Hurricanes jumped into unfamiliar waters. For four seasons since ‘Canes GM Hanna Sniper took the reins has the Hurricanes organization looked to challenge for the cup. With high turnover rate and GM’s quick to blow up teams and rebuild so common in the CPHL, the Hurricanes faithful have been treated team that did everything in their power to not only make the playoffs but to look beyond.
Hanna Sniper took control of the team in the mid process of rebuilding during the 2003-04 season. For much of the season the experience was a learning curve as the struggling Hurricanes 21st overall. The 2004-05 season promised hope as the Hurricanes looked to crack the playoff cut off list that eluded them the year before. The team was build around the high powered scoring of Canes star Milan Hejduk who netted 62 goals as David Aebischer backstopped the Hurricanes to 8th overall with 101 points. The 2005-06 brought some hiccups to the ‘Canes as they dropped to 9th overall and two points shy of their previous season. With Hejduk no departed a changeover was beginning to happen in Raleigh but as new faces where added to the mix some old one still remained. David Aebischer was finishing off his third season as a Cane and for the second year in a row led the Hurricanes to over 30 win season with 35 wins. The summer brought more change to the Hurricanes as ‘Canes GM took some wise words from departing Commissioner Cheese as Hanna spent the summer beefing up the Hurricanes backend to support their net minder. The Hurricanes then went out and turned heads as they handed out huge contracts to both Hall Gill and Darian Hatcher for a insane 54 million. With the addition of Mike Rathje to the mix the Hurricanes D made a serious run to push the Hurricanes over the top. The Hurricanes finished 4th overall with 110 points as Aebischer finished the year with 37 wins and a 2.74 GGA (fourth overall).
But something happened in the summer before the 2007-08 season. David Aebischer walked away from his 4 season with the Hurricanes and signed on with the San Jose sharks 2 year deal for a total of 4 million. With the departure of Aebischer and many veteran forwards that headed towards UFA like Aebischer the Hurricanes were left with a depleting lineup. As the GM patched hole after hole to ice a competitive team for the 2007-08 it took less to 20 games to realize that weak goaltending and a very aging defence the Hurricanes future was now and needed to be addressed today rather then doing enough to get by and remaining a borderline team.
So Hurricanes GM did what he had no choice to do, rebuild.
First action of order was to deal with disgruntled forwards Anson Carter and Alan McCauley, along with a suitcase of money the winders were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for defensive prospect Bobby Sanguinetti. The next move saw Jeff Schutlz sent to St. Louis Blues for Jiri Tlusty, while the intention at moving Schutlz was never in the picture the Hurricanes couldn’t refuse the skill of Tlusty. With the whole now created with the departure of Schutlz the Hurricanes quickly refilled it as they noticed the mistake in moving Schutlz because of their organizational lack of depth in regards. With that The Hurricanes sent their last questional player in Mike Rather to Minnesota for rearguard Andy Greene. Greene who has been playing the season up with the NHL New Jersey Devils has been leaned on with 2nd overall in minutes logged by defenceman. Greene should fill the roll Schutlz would have had next season.
So as the Hurricanes focussed on rebuilding an aging defence the main weakness of the team still remained clear in the GM’s mind. The Hurricanes lacked a true No.1 goalie. With the past four seasons with Aebischer and 20 games this year with Grahame the Carolina Hurricanes GM’ proved that he was unable to land a true netminder. The question will still be out about whether the Hurricanes will have a true No.1 but the Hurricanes last deal of four looks to end the goaltending issues in Raleigh for a while. The GM sent one of the remaining veteran rearguards Mattias Norstrom and goaltender John Graham to Toronto for young Pascal LeClaire and yet another young defenceman in Ryan Parent.
In a matter off one week the Hurricanes rebuilding process has not only begun but looks to have completed. The Hurricanes now have a future defence to go along with their young forwards and future goalie. Now the Hurricane GM can look to patching the holes and set his eye’s on the final playoff spot.
Deals
1st
Alyn McCauley, Anson Carter, 3 million
For
Stu Barnes, Bobby Sanguinetti
2nd
Jeff Schultz,
For
Jiri Tlusty,
3rd
Mike Rathje, 2 million
For
Richard Park, Andy Greene
4th
Mattias Norstrom, John Grahame, 300 Million, 4th Round Draft Choice
For
Pascal LeClaire, Ryan Parent, 2008 3rd Round Draft Choice (van)
Storm Center News
