Higher Ground - Canes Sign Some Prospects

While the Caniac Nation is patiently waiting for word about the re-signing of restricted free agents Tim Gleason, Tuomo Ruutu, Chad LaRose, and Patrick Eaves, Carolina General Manager Jim Rutherford and his assistant, Ron Francis, have locked up a couple of prospects and a role player.

Yesterday, they signed 2006 draft pick Harrison Reed to a three-year deal. Last week, they signed defensemen Brett Bellemore for 3 years, (drafted in 2007), and Bryan Rodney for 1 year, (free agent).

Supposedly, Timmy Gleason is very close to getting a new deal. The only question is for how long?

Speaking of Bryan Rodney, he’s getting a lot of recent press for a dude who, not too long ago, was playing in the ECHL. To his credit, the smooth skater stepped right up and fit into Albany’s lineup very well and was the leading scorer for their blueline during the playoffs.

This week, Rodney was recorded as the 15th hottest prospect on the “The Hot List”, a list of sizzling prospects put out weekly by “The Hockey News.” The defenseman was also recently interviewed by the Albany Press. A link to the interview can be found here.

Speaking of “The Hot List,” guess who is No. 1? It's Drayson Bowman, a prospect we have been talking about here at Canes Country quite a bit lately. Luke at LSB ran a teaser that he will be printing an in-depth story about the Young Gun in the “News and Observer” this weekend.

Apparently, the beat writer gave Jim Rutherford a call to ask about Bowman’s possible NHL timetable. The GM said about the same thing I did in this blog a few days ago, that the youngster most likely will stay in the juniors next year, regardless of how many goals he scores. The Canes are currently loaded at the forward position, and there just isn’t any room for him with the roster as it is.

Reminiscing about last season a bit, I think that I would almost prefer to watch some of the younger players develop, especially if the Canes continue to fail in their quest to make the playoffs.

Stevie Wonder