When I started out, I thought it would be nothing more than an outlet for me to spew my thoughts.  I didn’t expect anyone to read the dang thing.  To my surprise, things sort of took off.  I was writing every day, a few times a day.  Not just about the Hurricanes, but about the NHL in general.  People were reading, and in what was then a small community of hockey bloggers, I was holding my own.  And then some.  The thing grew pretty quickly, and I was having a great time.  More than six years later, I’ve lost the passion for blogging. 

Here’s how I got to this decision:

Continue reading "The end of the line for RBH"

Carolina had several excellent short-handed scoring chances in the game.  In addition to the two shorthanded goals, Sutter hit a post, Eric Staal was stopped on a breakaway, and Ryan Miller made a couple of really good saves to keep his team in the game, even when they had a manpower advantage. 

Continue reading "Canes use special teams to beat Sabres"

Because Murphy is just 18 years old, and non-European, and did not play collegiate hockey, he isn’t eligible to play at the American League level, so Charlotte wasn’t an option.  Because he played in less than ten games (he didn’t play in any games), he can be returned to Kitchener and the meter doesn’t start running on his professional contract until next season. 

Carolina is now down to a roster of 22, which is where they usually are.  I don’t think they’re done adjusting the roster, though.  At least I hope not. 

Continue reading "The ride is over for Ryan Murphy"

The Hurricanes converted one of four power play chances, while shutting down the Bruins power play.  To be fair, Boston has struggled mightily in that department, but it was still a great night for the special teams. 

Defenseman Jamie McBain made his season debut, while rookie Justin Faulk was one of three healthy scratches on the night. 

Carolina is now 1-2-1 on the young season.  They’ll start a four-game road trip on Friday in Buffalo. 

For the second game in as many days, the Hurricanes scored the first goal, but couldn’t put one in the “win” column.  For the second game in as many days, Jussi Jokinen took a penalty that ended up being really costly.  Apart from that, it was a very different game from the one against the Lightning. 

Continue reading "Canes steal a point from Caps"

Jeff Skinner scored the Canes’ only goal at 8:07 of the first and was really the best thing the Canes had.  He and defenseman Joni Pitkanen were good.  Justin Faulk was good.  Everyone else was either invisible or was noticed for the wrong reasons. 

After Martin St. Louis tied the game early in the second, the Canes still had plenty of chances to pull ahead in the middle frame.  Late in the period, when it looked like it would be a great game, the wheels fell off for Carolina. 

Continue reading "New faces, but same old Canes"

My money was on forward Riley Nash to survive the final cut and make his NHL debut this week.  That’s going to have to wait.  Frankly, I’m at a loss as to why the Hurricanes would keep Murphy around just so they could scratch him. 

Continue reading "Murphy to sit opening night"

When Nash survived the last round of cuts and he and two defensemen were among the last men standing, I assumed that he would survive.  It only makes sense to have 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies.  Nash had impressed a lot of people in camp and it looked like he was headed for the opening night roster.  Ultimately, Nash will play some games with the big team, and I was really hoping that he would be there on Friday, but the Canes top brass have other plans.  Those plans include defensemen Ryan Murphy and Justin Faulk. 

Continue reading "Carolina to carry nine defenseman to start the season—Nash cut"

Yahoo league # 77593.  Password: stanleycup   Draft is set for Wednesday October 5 at 6:30pm eastern. 

Same as the other one.  It’s on Yahoo.  It’s a weekly roster.  12 teams, 16 players per team. Head-to-head.  One “win” per stat category per week in the following: G, A, +/-, SOG, FOW, PIM, PPP, SHP.  Goalie stats: W, SO, SV%, GAA.

WEEKLY roster.  If enough people are interested in “making it interesting”, we might have a little bit of money (and a prize) involved, that’ll be taken into consideration.

Jump in now, and invite your friends if you want. 

The draft for this league is scheduled for Wednesday October 5 at 8:30pm eastern.  This is a WEEKLY roster league, and it doesn’t cost a dime.

If you’re interested, email me at dlee@redandblackhockey.com and I will send you an invite.

Although the league allows a roster of up to 23 players, Carolina will not carry more than 22.  The final cuts will be from the blue line. 

Boychuk played in 23 games for the big team last season and in 31 the season before that.  He was expected to make the big team out of camp last fall, but Jeff Skinner exceeded everyone’s expectations and stole the roster spot from him.  Boychuk would later say that he wasn’t as prepared as he should have been.  He worked hard this summer and he arrived to training camp early, hoping to get up to speed and impress the coaches.  Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t able to impress the coaches.  From what I’ve heard and read, he didn’t look good in any of the scrimmages or pre-season games. 

Continue reading "Riley Nash survives latest cuts, Zach Boychuk doesn’t"

The way I see it, there are two forward positions up for grabs and the leading contenders are Zac Dalpe, Zach Boychuk, Chris Terry, Jerome Samson and Drayson Bowman.  In that order.  I’ve been asked whether I think Dalpe will make the Canes and how big of an impact he’s going to have.  The first part of that question has a simple answer: without a doubt.  The second part is anybody’s guess.  My guess is that he’ll put up Chad LaRose-type numbers.  Somewhere in the vicinity of 13 goals and 15 assists.  If he plays on the right wing.  As third line center, he won’t get those kinds of numbers, but I think he will if he’s allowed (asked?) to play right wing. 

Continue reading "Who will fill out Canes forward lines?"

The particulars of the contract are pretty standard.  Three years.  $832,500 at the NHL level or $70k at the AHL level in all three seasons.  He also gets a $277,500 signing bonus.  Again, the American Hockey League requires North American players to be at least 20 (or turning 20) years old, but the NHL allows 18-year olds to play. 

Murphy has a ton of offensive upside, and he finished last season with 79 (26/53) points in 63 regular season games with Kitchener.  He also added 11 (2/9) in seven post-season games.  Everyone who’s watched him play agrees that he’s a very exciting and very special player.  He’s piled up a ton of awards along the way.  He made the OHL first team all-rookie team in 2009-10.  He was an OHL first-team all-star in 2010-11.  He was named the best defenseman at the 2011 IIHF World U-18 Tournament.  And now he’s put himself in a position to earn a roster spot on the big team.  That’s a tremendous accomplishment for any 18-year old, but especially because he’s a defenseman. 

Continue reading "Canes sign top pick Murphy"

When the Hurricanes were a very bad team, he was playing his best hockey, leading the team in goals (19) and points (45) in the 2003-04 season.  He always gave his best, and although he was scratched for most of the 2006 playoffs, he was there and he got his name etched on Lord Stanley’s Cup.  He was never the most talented player, but he worked hard and he never complained   His attitude on and off the ice endeared him to the fans and players. 

Now, he’ll be honored by the team where he spent the bulk of his NHL career.  Before the home opener on October 7, fans will be treated to a Josef Vasicek video tribute.  There will also be a tribute to him in the players’ lounge.  In addition, the players will wear a patch in his honor all season long.  This presumably, will be similar to the patch players wore on their left shoulder in the 1999-2000 season to honor defenseman Steve Chiasson, who was killed in a car crash. That patch was simply a red 3 in a black circle.  This will likely be a red 63 in a black circle. 

Continue reading "Hurricanes will honor Vasicek on opening night, and all season long"

Roy (WAH) was drafted by Edmonton in the seventh round of the 2003 draft.  He has played in that organization, and also for the minor league teams of Columbus, Florida and Tampa.  Last season, he played four games with the Bolts and 45 with their American League Norfolk Admirals.

Continue reading "Canes sign Mathieu Roy"

Today was opening day in the KHL.  Only one game was on the docket, and it was in progress at the time of the crash.  The league suspended the game and will postpone games scheduled for tomorrow. 

Among the dead are several former NHL players.  Closest to home, this list includes Josef Vasicek, who would have turned 31 on Monday.  He played the majority of his career with the Hurricanes. The entire hockey-loving world is in shock, and I’d be a fool to suggest that this hits us any harder.  While we mourn the loss of 43 people, we knew and loved Josef Vasicek, so we mourn especially for him.

Continue reading "Remembering the Czech Condor"

Today, though, some longtime Canes fans got some sad news. 

David Martin, better known as “Chopper Harrison” has, according to Canes beat writer Luke DeCock, passed away at the age of 59. 

Continue reading "Over heeeeeeeere!"

First, I’ll start with the things that aren’t being tested, but should be.

Continue reading "Proposals from the RDO camp"

Yesterday, Stewart was part of a panel on OTR discussing the growing number of black players in the NHL and racial “chirping” on the ice.  Here’s the video clip of it.  The panel consisted of Stewart, Joel Ward, Wayne Simmonds, Kevin Weeks, Stewart’s dad and Weekes’ dad.  They all agreed that what goes on in the locker room is one thing but on the ice is another.  When Stewart was asked directly if “chirping” about a player’s race is off limits, he gave an answer that was a bit of a surprise:

Continue reading "Getting to know…  Anthony Stewart"

Muse won two national championships (2008, 2010) with the Boston College Eagles.  He played and was the clear #1 goalie all four seasons, and set school records for games played and saves.  At BC, he played alongside Hurricanes 2009 second round draft pick, defenseman Brian Dumoulin.  After completing his fourth season this past spring, Muse signed an amateur tryout contract with the Portland Pirates (then affiliated with Buffalo).  He appeared in one game, earning a shootout win over the Albany Devils. 

It’s pretty clear that Justin Peters is being demoted to Charlotte and that Mike Murphy has already established himself as the starter there.  This leaves no room for Muse at the AHL level, so he’ll be shipped down to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.