Happy Valentine's Day...

Hope you all are enjoying this Valentine's Day ,however you chose to do so. The spirit of this holiday (is that what it is, maybe we should ask Hallmark) doesn't seem to quite jive with the spirit of the fastest game in the world.

It's good to be home as the Canes now start their stretch of 15 of the last 23 at home. Basically, their fate will be determined right before our eyes. They come home far different from when  they left. After their overtime win versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 31, they had a chance to continue their post All-Star break run of good fortune. It started to evaporate in Pittsburgh on Feb.2, and they would then continue their run of mediocrity which would see them return 3-3-0 since the All-Star weekend.

Although that seems much of the same, the Canes have changed. Is it for the better?

Time will tell. After being humbled in New Jersey last Saturday, the team spent the majority of their off time in Boston going through somewhat of a character check. The first step was the off day on Sunday  which turned into a day of soul searching.

Peter Laviolette was faced with some choices for his team's off day. Originally, it was supposed to be a total break away from the game for everyone. The 6-1 Devil embarrassment called for some type of action. The coach considered practicing but that probably was not the right option. A punishment practice with the emphasis on skating might of had an adverse effect on Tuesday's game with Boston.

So, it was a team meeting. A team can have one of these maybe once a year. An open discussion, an outpouring of emotion -  it was a time to air things out. The Hurricanes did just that.

Monday was a totally different experience. An early practice at 9 a.m. followed by a major trade. Gone were two key pieces of a Stanley Cup team whose contracts were set to expire in the off-season, and two players whose demands for where they are at are probably not on the same page with the team.

So it was goodbye to Cory and "Commie," two great guys, but that's life in this business. 

A long awaited power play,  puck mover from the back end and a young player with tremendous potential were brought in. In this world of instant analysis,  this trade needs a long time to see who wins. My gut is, the Hurricanes will fare well with this one. Tuesday night, they got back to an honest, hard-working style in which they appeared to be on the same page. Will it continue? We don't know. What we do know ... it will appear right before our eyes.

Maintenance Days...

Some key players were not on the ice for practice yesterday. Ray Whitney, Tim Gleason, Bret Hedican and Scott Walker did not practice. Gleason has come down with the flu and is highly doubtful for Thursday night. Walker has an upper body problem and should be able to play. Hedican was experiencing some problems with a couple of lower body issues and will play tonight. Ray Whitney is not an issue just given a day off. If Gleason can't play then the Canes might be forced to recall a defenseman from Albany. Casey Borer and Tim Conboy are candidates. Look for Conboy to be the guy. No changes for the likes of Matt Cullen, Dennis Seidenburg or David Tanabe. Patrick Eaves did skate for a full practice with limited contact.

Another Deal...

Will the Canes make another deal prior to the 26th? It's possible that they may want to look at another veteran center as an insurance policy for Matt Cullen. It continues to be a unknown as to when Number 8 makes his return. The problem may be other team's interest in Carolina's players who have unrestricted status next year and the Hurricanes unwillingness to be part with draft choices.

Have a nice day!