This Hurricane Is Just Getting Started
2018-03-16-Raliegh, NC
This season has seen yet another roller coaster ride VERY similar to the one this team experienced last season on their way to clinching the final playoff spot in the East before bowing out in the Conference Semi-Finals. At one point, the Hurricanes were 11-25-3 this season before Coach Willie Desjardins got them rolling. Since then? They've come back to post an overall record of 35-28-4 and are currently sitting in a playoff spot. They were quietly tearing up the league... until yesterday on Trade Deadline Day where they made themselves heard.
Inspired by his team's recent success and belief in their direction, Carolina GM Matthew Rose went out and acquired the best Goalie in the world in Carey Price and Jimmy Vesey from the Ottawa Senators. "It's not everyday you get the opportunity to acquire a future Hall of Fame goaltender in Carey Price. We would like to thank Cory for his career with us as a Hurricane and wish him nothing but the best in Ottawa" Rose commented at a press conference earlier this morning at PNC Arena, "We are also excited about Jimmy Vesey. Right now the plan is to get him some time playing in the AHL and perhaps have him up for our playoff run. Giving up guys like Pokka and Thomas is tough but I think they're going to enjoy Ottawa. Their GM, Anthony Bottoni, has been great to deal with as always and will have a contender built there in no time".
Carolina's other acquisition was for the ageless Matt Cullen and forward prospect Tyler Graovac. "I am really excited about getting an experienced veteran forward in Matt Cullen who is going to contribute to our bottom 6 and will be a big part of our PK unit. Tyler Graovac is a guy who I've always liked from afar and I feel that there is optimistic upside to him" Rose responded in regards to his second trade. "In regards to our playoff run, I have to say I'm more excited about our playoff run this year than I was last year. I like our group and think we are going to be the perfect 'underdog' come playoff time".
Much credit towards Management has been given but it is also important to recognize the coaching from Willie Desjardins that has helped turn this team around. "Obviously you aren't happy about the slow starts the last two years but we've been lucky to have such a great group of guys in our room that are committed to fighting for one another and competing" said Desjardins.
Some were shocked about the lack of activity around the Deadline and Rose was quick to address that. "Well, I'll be honest. In trade negotiations, you need to realize that there's a 'give and take' and you can't stick yourself to a certain price. I don't think there's a set price on any player because then you're doing yourself a disservice and not allowing the chance for dialogue. I'd be lying if I said the Price/Vesey acquisition was a quick, easy process. There was a lot of back and forth and we were able to come to terms on what I think was a very even deal. The other thing to mention is, and I know I might get a talking to from the league for saying this in the media by calling out other GM's, is the complaining about 'everyone's rebuilding'. I think some guys get it in their heads that playoff-bound teams are just going to give away their youth and picks because they're doing good. At the end of the day, it's got to make sense to make a deal and you have to have a plan in place. The main reason though, coming back around to the original question on the lack of activity, is because teams set prices on players and refused to negotiate. I'm happy with our work at the end of the day but I think that the prices, some being astronomical in my opinion and others just being too high for my taste, were what hindered this year's deadline".
Regardless of the inactivity from other teams, Rose accomplished more than the fanbase could've asked and has his team looking good at the right time. Buckle up Canes fans! This could be an exciting race to the promised land!
Are you saying the canes have gone 24-3-1 lately? : O
This Hurricane Is Just Getting Started
Hurricanes Awaken During Trade Deadline; Grab Price and Cullen
