Don’t know what the big fuss is about. Cole and Ruutu are just role players and the Canes have others who could step up and easily fill the void. I’m not cheering for anyone to be injured but I’m fairly indifferent to both situations. The NHL made its decision and the Pens and Canes can focus on Game 2.

Re: Kunitz, the Pens should definitely be getting more but all will be forgiven if he nets a GWG. I actually wanted Cooke to be suspended so Kunitz could try to get something going with Staal for a game. Would taking him off the top line further kill his confidence or relieve some pressure?

The article should have mentioned that if the Weasel wanted to fix games, teams like Carolina (Stanley Cup: 2006), Tampa Bay (2004), Anaheim (2007), Phoenix or Nashville would always win? If these teams fail, the Weasel fails (he already has but he wouldn’t be able to weasel his way out of this one).

PS I don’t believe in any conspiracy theory about the Cup. It’s the hardest trophy to win in sports and the most deserving team ultimately wins.

The NHL management is enough of a joke that they negotiated a television deal with a network that may or may not exist, got a broadcast tv deal with a network that rarely shows any playoff hockey.

A conspiracy takes some thoughtful planning and discipline from the conspirators. I just don’t see it in this bunch. As Mario once said, the NHL is a “garage league,” and he wasn’t talking about the on ice product.

I’d add that the coaches should quit whining too. All of them (no one seems above this “gamesmanship”). Other sports manage to keep players and coaches in line with strict rules against bashing officials in the media, but the NHL lets coach run their mouths ad nauseum with impunity (yes Bruce Boudreau – I’m looking right at you). It’s easy for the fans to buy into this nonsense because it’s coming directly from the coaches. I’m not picking on the Canes or their fans here, because every single coach pulls this, including Bylsma.

Even if the officials suck, there’s something unseemly about blaming misfortunes on the refs. It’s like whining about injuries after being super secretive about player status and downplaying it at every turn (still looking at you Boudreau — “But I’m not going to get into injury details tonight because that makes it look like a real excuse on why he played so bad. I don’t want to use that as an excuse,” or “And he’s another one that, if this was the regular season, wouldn’t be playing.”)

As a Canes fan, I’m so sick of “the league out to get us” and “no respect” complaints. I personally don’t care if the team doesn’t t get respect, that enables the them to fly under the radar and catch unsuspecting teams with their guard down.

The stereo type comments kinda get old though, because this area is such a hot bed of research and deveopment in many fields. But, it’s an easy target because, unless you’ve been down here you really don’t know. But, the media has no excuse, it’s their jobs to research that kind of stuff.

And for those not familiar with the area, the closest NASCAR track to Raleigh is almost 3 hours away in Concord (just outside Charlotte) :)

Our GM announced this after practice yesterday

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/hurricanes/blogpost/5187139/