Hey All,

If you've been looking around the hockey sites this week, you would have seen that the NHL has been holding a research and development camp.  The purpose of the camp is to explore rule changes and some changes in the rink and explore what happens. Things like 3 on 3 or 2 on 2 overtime, putting only one face-off circle in each zone and much more.

Here's NHL.com's blog: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536011&navid=DL|NHL|home

SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jim_kelley/08/19/research.development.summit/index.html

And just about every other online sport site. So read them and let's discuss what would be good for the game.

I think some of them are silly (2 on 2 OT seems kinda crazy), but some are very good. 

Here are some of my favorites:

no line change on offsides

the 3 on 3 OT and switching sides to make longer line changes combined sound like a great way to cut down on shootouts

And wider blue lines to help d-men keep the zone

What do you think the NHL should take from the camp?

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew a good place to get a numbering kit. I've seen a couple online (one on ebay) but I'm wondering if anyone else has any ideas, most likely online (I live in Charlotte), or recommendations.  I have a blank, home 2003 era jersey (the one without the white stripe), which brings up another question: would a newer kit work with the older jersey? I'm looking for a Whitney 13 (I'm a right shot), or maybe a Jokinen 36 or C. Ward 30. So please let me know of any options and thanks in advance!

-RH

Hi all,

Just something interesting I found while looking at some power rankings today. This one is from Allan Muir over at SI.com about the Boston B's

Even with injuries, it's hard to reconcile the soaring preseason expectations with their mentally fragile performance in Sunday's 5-1 loss to last-place Carolina. "We're playing not to lose instead of playing to win," said winger Mark Recchi after their fifth straight loss. You'll hear lots of cliches coming out of the room between now and their next contest, but what they need is a shakeup. Despite their offensive woes, look for Peter Chiarelli to address the floundering blueline. Maybe old friend Aaron Ward could help solidify the unit. Last week: 0-4

I find the last sentence the most interesting.

The entire rankings are here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/allan_muir/01/26/power.rankings/index.html

The 'Canes are 27th, but Mr. Muir recognizes the new captain in his offensive contributions

-RH

Dear Mr. Brind'Amour,

Firstly, let me say what a huge fan I am of yours. You've been a consistent and powerful voice of leadership for the Hurricanes organization. You've been the face of the organization for so long, and I'll never forget your reaction to winning the Stanley Cup back in 2006. You led the team well and you will always be respected and loved here in the Carolinas.

So this brings us to the difficult, serious part.  We need to work on getting you to another team.  From what I've seen you definitely don't want to retire, but for whatever reason you're floundering here.  A lot of people on this blog are positive that you will be retiring a 'Cane, but I think you should consider the exact opposite.  Perhaps you're struggling under the coaching change or chemistry is a bit off or you're just trying to hard to make it up to us the fans for the last couple of years.  I think you need a fresh start, yes at 39.  Somewhere you can be a difference, I know it. It's up to management and yourself to find somewhere that's a good fit. 

I've said that you will always be respected and loved and that's why this is such a difficult discussion.  As much as I'd love to see you retire a Hurricane, I'd much rather see you playing well in a different jersey giving you the chance to end your career with a bang and not a whimper here. I want you to do well and it just doesn't seem like that's going to happen down here. Just consider finding a fit outside of the Hurricanes, for your career's sake.  While many people here would love to see you remain a 'Cane, I'm sure those same people would love to see you doing well in another system.

Whatever you decide to do, whatever option you take remember, we will always respect you. But how about for once think about yourself and your career. I just don't want people to confuse your legacy with the last few years play.

Good Luck Rod,

Paul Molnar (Callsign:Rubyhawk)

Hello All,

Just for an exercise in a hypothetical rebuilding, I thought we could discuss what players we should keep, instead of who we need to trade away. This is just my opinion on who to keep for the style of play I think Mo has been pushing (which I'm assuming is the Dump-n-chase and establishing a forecheck).

Forwards:

Eric Staal - duh

Tuomo Ruutu - A banger who can shoot the puck.

Eric Cole - Another physical forward, he crashes the net with the best of 'em

Matt Cullen - Should definitely stay as our 2nd line center. Good two-way forward.

Jussi Jokinen - A forward that plays center or wing and shootout specialist. He can really fill in wherever.

Brandon Sutter - Obviously showing he can play at the NHL level

Scott Walker - Grinder who should be on 2nd or 3rd line

Tom Kostopoulos - Should probably stick to the 4th line, but can play in PK situations

Chad LaRose - People say he should be traded, but I think we need his quickness and he doesn't shy away from being physical or getting down low in the zone

Defensemen:

Tim Gleason - Our stay at home d-man, should be half of our top pair

Joni Pitkanen - Puck moving d-man, should be the other half

Andrew Alberts - really this one's a toss up between him and Aaron Ward. Both are shot-blockers but not offensively minded. Their stats are really similar looking at points, hits, and blocked shots.

Goalies:

Cam Ward - Duh

So here we have 13 guys who I think should make up the core if a rebuild is in order (We'll see how big that if gets later on). So there is plenty of room to fill in (though we do have some people like Brindy who aren't going anywhere, but again, I think this is our core for the future)

So the questions should come for what we actually need.

With the forwards I've outlined, I think we see a theme: quickness and physicality.  But we need a secondary scorer to help out with Staal.  Unfortunately, Cole, Ruutu, and Cullen don't really fit as a pure secondary scorer.  That's something that definitely needs to be addressed.  Also, Sammy's quick, but he's not a physical presence so he doesn't make the cut. Boychuck would've made the list but he's back at Albany.

A big shot from the point would also be good and our powerplay needs it. It could be Corvo, but honestly I think we could find someone better. Also looking on D, we have Wallin and Rodney.  I think we need to see some more of Rodney at the NHL level before a concrete call is made.  Wallin could be on the list, but I think we need some youthful energy instead, again maybe Rodney. 

The backup goalie situation is also something that needs to be looked at. Do we drop Leighton in favor of Legace, now? I think if/when Leighton gets some starts we'll see who'll stay as the backup.

So what do you think? What pieces are missing from this list that you'd like to see added? Even if we add in Boychuck, Brindy, Wallin/Rodney/Corvo, and the Goalie Backup, that brings us up to 17 on the roster. Thats enough space to add some significant pieces. So suggest a trade, someone to put on waivers, or someone you'd like to see put on the roster or go ahead critique the list I've made. Let's bounce the biscuit around and see what we come up with.

Go 'Canes!

-RH