Atlanta Weekend Part One...

Hello again everyone... It's great to back with you on a regular basis in this space. I'm here in Atlanta for the NHL's All-Star showcase. My son's junior Hurricanes Squirt team is partaking in the NHL JR All-Star tournament. The Junior Hurricanes have sent AAA squirt and pee wee level teams here for an experience that they will never forget. Over the weekend I'll jot down a few thoughts as we get ready for the unofficial (less than 41 games) second half, which commences on Tuesaday versus the New York Rangers.

One thought for the Canes....

The Hurricanes find themselves in a log jam with just about every team in the Southeast Division as we await the resumption of play.

The Canes for all practical purposes will start their season over on Tuesday night. Although many of the variables have changed over the last four months, the one constant that will not change is that the goaltending somehow needs to get back on firm ground - that will get them where they need to go.

We have seen a mysterious twist over the past few months which has seen Carolina move off of a goaltender that was among the best in the season's first month to a position that is very cloudy as we script this out tonight.

Cam Ward, with all of his potential and abilty, has some how ended up in a not so good place at the all-star break. His season has eroded into one of very average play, and he looks a bit confused. John  Grahame has gone from a veteran capable of being a serious stop gap to a player who has had to do some substantial soul searching at the AHL level. He now rejoins his mates to find his game.

Michael Leighton performed as a "phenom" at the AHL game and earned a promotion to jump start Grahame, himself and the rest of the troops. Unfortunately, that really wasn't the case. Leighton performed okay, and the team remained about the same, but not what management was seeking.

Grahame, to his credit, was a "pro's pro" in the "A" and was elevated back up.

So, now what?

The Hurricanes decided that instead of paying three NHL salaries (with one being in the minors), it was time to make a move. Okay that much can be understood. But given Ward's last game and the state of the team, where are they going here? Hopefully this break will be a mental refresher for number 30. For me that's what he needs.

To say the that Ward had been on firm mental footing over the past month would be inaccuate. With that being said, the time has come for him to step forward.

As we stated here in the preseason, the Canes will need "A" caliber goaltending to get to where they want to go. Nothing less will work. The way the team is built defensively it's imperative that this area of the game is at a top level. Ward will be the "go to" choice, but there will be another chance for Grahame too. In order to hang on to their slim lead and win the division, this position of importance has to be solidified. We can assess power plays, potential trades, line shuffling, etc...but no matter what happens, this edition of the Carolina Hurricanes will go as far as the goaltending. It's that simple.

Potential Trades....

There has been some talk that Canes are interested in John Michael Liles, the offensive minded blue liner of the Colorado Avalanche. That talk is bang on. People I've talked to today in Denver tell me that Canes Director of Pro Scouting Marshall Johnston was in Denver last night scouting the Avalanche/Wild game. Liles can move it - he has had his stuggles this season, but is dynamic and a change of scenery would be great for him .

It's the asking price that's the key here, and that's a subject that's been all mover the map. Depending on who you talk to, the asking price for this type of player might be too much.

There's plenty of time to position it. Stay tuned. The trade talk here at the All-Star game is just heating up.

We will talk tomorrow !