Bleacher Report - Carolina Hurricanes

Brandon Sutter Is the Player To Salvage the Carolina Hurricanes' Season

Mark Jones — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:14:41 -0500

Nothing this season has gone well for the Carolina Hurricanes, and everyone involved with the team, and maybe even the league, knows that.

The special teams are bad, the injuries are hitting hard, there are major goaltending issues, troubles with holding leads as well as converting plentiful early first-period scoring chances.

But, recently, there have been signs of life. The Canes salvaged a point last Friday despite falling to the Islanders 3-0 early, and then Carolina ended their unbelievable 14-game losing streak by defeating the Wild in a shootout, 5-4. The Hurricanes then could not be wrestled from a win in Montreal until the sixth round of a shootout.

One of the key parts in finally pulling up the Canes from the dead, as well as bringing them back to life once they had broken the streak, was young 21-year-old Brandon Sutter.

Sutter, who is in his second NHL season after being a top American Hockey League (AHL) prospect for the Hurricanes with the Albany River Rats last season.

After a swarm of injuries to the Hurricanes, Sutter was forced to being called up from the minors and play on the fourth line for Carolina against Colorado on Friday, October 23rd.

Sutter then went on to score a goal despite blowing a 2-0 for a 5-4 loss. Sutter scored again the next game, then added and assist, and eventually, the points kept coming for Sutter. In a brutal 5-1 rout against the Sharks on November 1st, Sutter netted the only Hurricanes goal, and then also scored Tuesday night against Montreal on a great pass from veteran Ray Whitney.

Sutter has now worked the way to the top line of the Hurricanes, who currently have six players out on injury. Sutter has five goals, three assists, and eight points in eleven appearances for Carolina, and is also one of only three players with a positive +/- on the roster.

Brandon has played well, shot well, and brought the energy back into the Hurricanes, much like his father, Brent Sutter, the successful head coach of the Calgary Flames.

Much to the credit of Sutter, suddenly the Hurricanes have four points in three games after going seven games without a single point in the standings.

His combination with team veteran Ray Whitney and talented playmaker Eric Cole has been terrific, and has finally filled the whole at the top of the depth chart for Carolina. Sutter has had a perfect zero penalty minutes, the only player on the team to have accomplished that so far.

Even though the Hurricanes have three wins in 20 games, even though they are tied for last in the league, even though their offense is perhaps one of the most inept we've seen in years...

Even though the Carolina Hurricanes have had all the setbacks possible in the modern-day National Hockey League, if their season is salvageable, Brandon Sutter is the player to do it.

And he's just 21.

Brandon Sutter Game Statistics (As of Wednesday, November 18)

Games Played: 11

Goals: 5 (Team Rank: tie-2nd)

Assists: 3 (TR: tie-9th)

Points: 8 (TR: tie-5th)

+/-: +1 (TR: tie-1st)

PIM: 0 (TR: 1st)

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NHL Power Rankings (November 16): Cup Favorites Looking Clearer

Mark Jones — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:51:08 -0500

NOTE: All teams are listed with their current points in the standings (as of Monday, November 16). The upper half (top 16) as well as the focus of my coverage, the Hurricanes, also have additional commentary and insight, which is completely original and reflects only the opinion of Mark Jones. Any comments, corrections, or questions are welcomed in the section at the conclusion of this article.

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"Toronto, we have frontrunners."

It happens every year about this time...the NHL is finally starting to take this season's shape.

That doesn't mean we won't have any more big hot or cold streaks, but the vague NHL standings glance is starting to be sorted out. The "Cup Favorites" list is being determined, as well as the "On-the-bubble" [of the playoffs] list and the "Outside-looking-in" list.

Teams like the Devils, Caps, Sabres, and Penguins in the East as well as the Sharks, Blackhawks, Flames, and maybe even Avs in the Western Conference are establishing themselves among the top portion of their conference. Meanwhile, there are other teams hovering around the middle, hoping to perhaps get a jump into the better half of the playoff race early.

And, finally, there are the share of teams finding themselves with high double-digits in the "conference rank" column and low double-digits in the "points" column. This list does include plenty of surprises, including the Canadiens, Blues, Wild, Ducks, and lowly Hurricanes.

The NHL, despite beginning to sort into groups, is also beginning to balance out as teams get into a routine. Besides New Jersey's mark, the longest win/loss streak in the NHL is now four games, with even the Canes breaking their franchise-tying worst losing streak ever, ending a 14-game skid (and 8 straight without a point) by defeating the struggling Wild 5-4 on Sunday.

So enough with the prelude and introductions. It's time to see exactly how these groups sort out in this edition of NHL Power Rankings.

1. San Jose Sharks (32 pts)

The Sharks, once again, have looked President's Cup-worthy with their play in the past several weeks. Their point streak is up to 12 games now, and the top two lines are both some of the best combinations in the league.

My thoughts for them compare a lot to Brett Favre of the NFL:

"I think they might finally carry over their success into the playoffs this year. Or, maybe not. Really, I'm not sure. Yes they will, but then again maybe not..."

2. New Jersey Devils (28 pts)

No one can deny that the Devils are playing their best hockey in years right now. But I remain to have my doubts about this team, and I don't think they will get to double digits with their win streak, currently at eight.

3. Washington Capitals (28 pts)

Winning without Ovechkin would be a very tough chore for most teams, but maybe not for the Caps offense. There is always Semin, Backstrom, Green, and about eight other players...

This team is going to have their way this year, I think. If they can start holding down the scoring in their end, they could challenge the Sharks for the Presidents Cup.

4. Buffalo Sabres (25 pts)

The Buffalo Sabres continue to be overlooked, but they only have four regulation losses in 17 games. With a stellar defense, a thorough, balanced yet talented offense, and (of course) Ryan Miller in the net, the Sabres are looking better and better.

2009-2010 is Buffalo's return to the top, all right.

5. Chicago Blackhawks (26 pts)

The Blackhawks have been very hot of late, posting a 7-2-1 record in their last ten as well as four straight victories.

The combination of Sharp-Teows-Kane has been plenty good, like usual, but the real thing that sets this Hawks squad apart from last year's is that it isn't just the top line earning them wins anymore. The lower pairings and the defense are carrying their share and more this season.

6. Calgary Flames (26 pts)

The Flames are really sneaking up on all of us now, especially me. They have 26 points in just 18 games, and have a terrific top six on the roster. Kiprusoff is also having a comeback year, and Calgary is starting to really impress.

However, something about this team gives me a feeling they could have an 07-08 Senators-like slump this winter. There is no proof, no stats, no quotes, but just watch it happen.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (26 pts)

The Penguins are a little cooler than they were two weeks ago, but they are still a fiery, talented team. Marc-Andre Fluery appears poised to make a jump for the top and lead this team once again to the highest point in the standings.

8. Detroit Red Wings (23 pts)

Four words:

"Here they come again."

9. Philadelphia Flyers (21 pts)

I like the Flyers, I really do. They have a magnificent lower half and a surprisingly stellar goaltender in Ray Emery.

But I don't think they can keep this up. The supposedly-great top lines have really struggled with their +/-, and I dont think the defense (besides Pronger) has really done that much to support this team.

Still, there haven't been many problems yet with this first 7 weeks.

10. Colorado Avalanche (26 pts)

They may have five more points than the higher-ranked Flyers, but all they have is two more wins and two more losses than Philadelphia.

If the Avalanche can keep up this shocking start, like they have so far, they could go really far. Maybe not that much this year, but soon, especially with such talented rookies like Ryan O'Reilly and his under-25 gang.

But if they begin to dive, who knows how far down they will fall.

11. Los Angeles Kings (26 pts)

Anze Kopitar has been MVP-style, the supporting cast has done their job, and the goalies have also looked very good.

But, like most of us, it's hard to tell if their legitimate. Hopefully, they just might be.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets (22 pts)

The Blue Jackets do not deserve to be 7th in the West, 12th in these rankings, or even have a 10-6-2 record.

But, despite defensive struggles and a -10 team +/- rating, they do.

And there is a reason. The Jackets are a clutch team, and they (finally) have figured out how to win. They work as a team, and it gets points on the scoreboard and points on the standings, even if it isn't pretty.

Rick Nash, Chris Mason and their Jackets are experiencing something new in Columbus: success .

13. New York Rangers (23 pts)

It had to have been expected.

Every year, the Rangers start hot, but fairly soon fall back down to mediocrity. This season, it happened earlier than usual, and it's also earned them a spot in the standings called number 13.

Not a good sign for a fragile (not physically, but as a group) team like the Rangers.

14. Vancouver Canucks (22 pts)

After a remarkably slow start in the standings and a remarkably fast start in the "Injured Reserve" list, the Canucks are finally getting their groove and moving on up.

Watch for them to regain a top-five spot in the West by Christmas, despite having to battle with Calgary and Colorado in-division along the way.

15. Boston Bruins (20 pts)

The Bruins have managed 11 points in 10 games, their L10 record in a while that has earned them more points than games played. But it's still a little slow in Boston, and this team still needs a victory spark.

16. Ottawa Senators (19 pts)

This team has just three wins in ten games, but they do have plenty of potential. If they can figure out how to slow down the points being scored on their back end, the Senators might be able to remain in the playoff hunt and eventually settle in a successful routine.

17. Atlanta Thrashers (21 pts)

18. Dallas Stars (22 pts)

19. Nashville Predators (19 pts)

20. Tampa Bay Lightning (20 pts)

21. Phoenix Coyotes (22 pts)

22. Montreal Canadiens (18 pts)

23. New York Islanders (21 pts)

24. St. Louis Blues (16 pts)

25. Anaheim Ducks (15 pts)

26. Edmonton Oilers (18 pts)

27. Minnesota Wild (16 pts)

28. Florida Panthers (15 pts)

29. Carolina Hurricanes (10 pts)

For the first time in five weeks, the Hurricanes have a win to celebrate. And perhaps for the first time this season, the Hurricanes have something to build on.

Carolina managed to earn 3 out of 4 possible points this previous weekend, but did it in a very topsy-turvy fashion.

First, they recovered from a first-period 3-0 deficit against the Islanders, but surprisingly fell in overtime despite having all the buzz going for themselves. The Hurricanes then blew leads of 3-0 and 4-1 against the Minnesota Wild, but then won in a shootout.

Anyhow, the Hurricanes might finally have re-energized themselves. Young Brandon Sutter has been very exciting and producing since coming up from the AHL, and Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu are taking in larger positions with the absence of Staal, Yelle, Walker, and Cam Ward.

The 'Canes, after so long, might have finally returned to realism.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (11 pts)

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When Will the Carolina Hurricanes Get a REAL Goalie?

Aaron Tom — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:44:07 -0500

I do not follow the Carolina Hurricanes on a regular basis, but I have caught them a few times during their epic 14-game losing streak (which was finally snapped today against Minnesota), and based upon what I've seen, there's a goaltending change necessary in "'Cane Country."

Now, I'm sure that goaltending is not the only issue in Carolina, but it's a big one, especially now that Cam Ward is out indefinitely with a lacerated leg. Not that Ward was very good when he was the starter, and he certainly was a part of the first half of their horrible string of losses, but the problem is that as bad as Cam Ward has been, Michael Leighton is even worse.

I don't know if it's just for this season, as he appeared to be pretty solid in net the only time I saw him last year, as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in a game against Detroit, but Leighton has looked absolutely terrible with Carolina. Maybe the losing streak is a big part of it—it's certainly hard to gain confidence in yourself, and your team, when you can't win hockey games.

But just watching him against the Wild, I really noticed just how shaky he was; more than a couple times he got down in the butterfly way too early, and seemed to get up much too late.

A perfect example of this is on the third goal for Minnesota: Leighton gets down early to make a save, the shooter sidesteps around him. Leighton falls down and sticks out his glove in a futile attempt to stop it, puck caroms in the slot to a wide open John Scott, who pops it in the net.

By staying up a couple seconds later, Leighton has the save, and the game is still 4-2. Instead, it was the second goal for the Wild in 20 seconds, cutting the deficit from 4-1 to 4-3, and putting Minnesota back in the game.

In all three of his starts with the 'Canes this season, Michael Leighton has let in at least three goals per game, equaling out to a rather pedestrian 4.68 GAA and a non NHL-worthy .833 save percentage. You simply are not going to consistently win games with a goaltender that is only stopping 83.3 percent of the shots he is facing.

One may think that the Hurricanes have answered this problem already, signing veteran goaltender Manny Legace from the AHL's Chicago Wolves, but they're really only compacting it. Inconsistent play in seasons past is the reason that Legace has already failed to crack an NHL roster, getting cut from the Atlanta Thrashers on Sept. 28 after accepting an invitation to their training camp.

In his only two appearances thus far of the season, in back-to-back games in November, he let in four goals in each of the games, going 0-1-1 during that stretch. Sad to say for Carolina fans, but it does not appear he will be reverting back to his All-Star form from 2008.

Carolina's defense, perhaps surprisingly, is allowing an average of only 29.6 shots per game, good for 14th lowest in the league. This is even fewer shots per game than the league-leading San Jose Sharks are giving up.

But the difference all comes down to goaltending. Leighton and Legace simply aren't stopping shots with any kind of regularity. And until they do, expect the Hurricanes to permanently dwell at the bottom of the league standings.

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