Since winning the Cup in 2006, the ‘Canes have been unable to even make the playoffs. It can be blamed on the massive numbers of injuries sustained over the 2 seasons since, it can also be blamed on a defense that was old and had more holes than this snappy little mesh number (for the guys). However, at the trade deadline last season, GM Jim Rutherford brought in Joe Corvo who was an instant boost on the blueline. This summer, golden oldie (as in, two years older than God) Glen Wesley retired and now works in the ‘Canes organization as Director of Defenseman Development. The oft-broken (also not getting any younger) Bret Hedican was not re-signed, he’s looking for a gig out west, no takers yet.

Additionally, Joni Pitkanen was brought in via trade with Edmonton for Eric Cole. Anton Babchuk and Josef Malichar have returned from playing in Europe. Tim Conboy, Casey Borer, Wade Brookbank, Tim Gleason, and Dennis Seidenberg all saw time with the ‘Canes last season as well (due to injuries). If you thinking “holy cow, that’s a lot of defensemen!” you’re correct. Toss in Nic Wallin and Frantisek “Pee-Wee Herman” Kaberle and you have eleven D on the ‘Canes roster. It’s unlikely Conboy or Borer or Brookbank will see a lot of ice, unless there are more injuries. ‘Canes have been trying to toss Kabby out as trade bait as often as Dion Phaneuf goes for antibiotic refills, but no takers. Since his fantastic season in 2006, he had shoulder surgery and hasn’t quite played the same. Wallin apparently has a no-trade clause which makes Kaberle the one most likely to be moved. Which is too bad, I hear he makes some yummy chicken. It’s worth noting that Kabs has had an exceptional camp, putting himself out there to be shopped or to (hopefully) earn a spot.

The offense has depth and talent, led by “Rod the Bod” and Erik “The Next Captain” Staal. Carolina needed help defensively which meant giving up a forward and Eric Cole was one of the most tradeable. It’s tough to see him go, he’s a gritty power forward who survived a horrific injury and came back to help the team win the cup. He will definitely be missed. Staal and Brind’ Amour are joined by Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen (if he stops seeing cartoon birdies flying around his noggin ), a rejuvenated Sergei Samsanov, Tuomo Ruutu, Scott Walker, Chad LaRose (click on it, you won’t regret it!), and Patrick Eaves. That’s a lot of decent talent. And with the aggressive offensive system employed by Peter Laviolette things are promising for the ‘Canes.

With the loss of Williams for pretty much the whole season, it opens up a roster spot. This is, of course, assuming Brandon Sutter makes the team, which the way the ‘Canes brass LLOOOVVVEEE this kid, it seems pretty much a sure thing. Granted, he’ll most likely be on the 4th line, but that will give guys like LaRose a chance to move up on the depth chart. So who will fill Williams’ slot? Ryan Bayda will get a chance to prove himself. Matt Murley has an excellent shot and has been impressive at training camp. Indeed, so has youngster Drayson Bowman. For comprehensive and near-psycho coverage of Bowman, check my site.

It could all be worthless if the Carolina players all get the dreaded Indifference-itis syndrome that seemed to run through their locker room at varying times last season. As in just after the start of the season and lasted until about a week a day an hour before the playoffs started–and they missed out by the skin of their teeth.

It also rests on the shoulders of a young and inconsistent Cam Ward. And his backup, AHL goalie of the year Michael Leighton. Since winning the Conn Smythe in 2006 Ward has been streaky at best. If he can put together a solid season they’ll be in good shape. But it hasn’t happened yet. Leighton is a capable backup and most certainly an upgrade from John “NASCAR helmet-wearing” Grahame.

‘Canes are projected by most prognosticators as 2nd in the Division, after Washington. Tampa is such an unknown, but the rest of the Division (Atlanta, Florida) is fairly weak. Carolina has many of the pieces to be 1st in the division, it’s whether those pieces can come together and be a success on the ice.

For my goalie-loving ladiez. For my Staal-loving sistas.

One must wonder why the Panthers really just have such a hard time winning against such a depleted team. The fact is, even when they are depleted, they still seem tough as ever. That’s with losing Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore to trade, Rod Brind’amour to injury and Justin Williams, others as well. Yet they keep moving along like nothing has ever happened. Quite amazing to me. A team so injury plagued, they still put up a fight each night and victorious on most. Even new comers to the team like Patrick Eaves and Joe Corvo look like they could have been there all season. Is it Peter Laviolette? Or is it just the amount of skill and experience the team itself has. I’d think its both, they don’t get rattled by much. The worst can happen and they will still play their system the best they can and keep doing what they do best. Sometimes thats all they need to win games they shouldn’t be in, too.

After being denied a history making eight game winning streak, the Panthers decided to start another winning streak by beating Tampa Bay. If they want to make the playoffs they need to get about 10 more points and rely heavily on teams out of the playoffs to put up a fight with the seventh and eighth spot holders.

Unlike other teams, the Panthers have a schedule that is heavily in their favor. Tampa Bay Lightning twice, Washington Capitals twice and the Hurricanes twice. Tampa Bay, I don’t see being a problem but the Capitals and the Hurricanes just might be a thorn in the side. The Capitals aren’t that same team that you just look at and expect them to fold to teams that are making a playoff push. They are right in it as well and needless to say a much better team on top of it all, than they used to be. Olaf Kolzig? Good goaltender but Huet I believe is more consistent, Sergei Fedorov definitely helps them and I believe Matt Cooke has a bit of an edge over Matt Pettinger. With Bruce Boudreau coming in as well and doing a wonderful job, I just don’t think winning against Washington will be all that easy.

I already talked about how we can’t seem to have any luck against Carolina, to begin with. Winning against the Capitals will be the MOST important objective to get into the playoffs, winning both games eliminates them from the playoff race because ideally Florida and Washington are chasing the same spot. Both games are must win scenarios for the Panthers. The Panthers also need to at least win one game against Carolina to stay in the chase. Although the schedule looks easy, to me, it really isn’t. The Panthers need to come out and play some of the best hockey they could ever imagine playing to make it that far. There is no other way around it. This roster on paper, wouldn’t make the playoffs. They are playing with their hearts and souls into the game. Thats the way they need to play to win. Thats the only way. Florida just does not have the Michael Frolik’s and the Shawn Matthias’ ready for the club yet.

I personally could not fathom the feeling of seeing the Panthers in the playoffs, in my opinion they have every right for being there as much as the next team. It would just be so nice to overcome the “laughing stock” that the Panthers are, in the NHL. Its never easy or nice to hear, “They haven’t made it into the playoffs in over six years.” Over and over again. I blame that on the endless ring of coaches and general managers that Mr. Alan Cohen felt was needed to make this team into a winner.

Olli Jokinen has certainly stepped up his game. After the Zednik incident he went into a prolonged slump. Something not good for this club that already has horrible troubles trying to score. Not only that but its like dressing a player that is injured. He was close to useless for that time. It took him to score against Henrik Lundqvist in a Panthers win to snap out of it, and ever since he has been back to the captain clutch, that he is. That the Panthers need. That the team relies on. If there is no Jokinen leading the way and helping the team. There is no playoffs. There is no leadership. There is no hope. Most of all, everybody in that locker room loves that guy. If there isn’t Jokinen doing what he does best, there isn’t a Panthers team that has desire to do much.

“If I wanted to move I would have signed somewhere else,” said Kaberle. “I like playing in Toronto. I like the pressure. I just want to be part of the team.”

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Detroit Red Wings have signed unrestricted free agent forward Fabian Brunnstrom of the Swedish Elite League.

However, Rich Chere of The Star Ledger suggests that Brunnstrom will sign a contract with an NHL team (the Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be the contenders) after his Swedish Elite League season is over in a couple of months.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports that Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli would like to add some depth to his injury depleted roster before the February 26 trade deadline.

“Realistically, I don’t see us getting a top six forward,” he said Friday. “There are just too many people looking for a top six forward, and they’re not out there – not in the numbers to meet the demand. So that puts our focus more on guys who maybe are specialists – someone, say, for the power-play or penalty-killing units.”

Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News suggests that the Ottawa Senators will move underachieving forward Antoine Vermette before the trade deadline.

Speaking of the Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson tells Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch that he has not discussed trading pending UFA forward Sergei Fedorov to the Senators in exchange for defenseman Joe Corvo. Howson says the he has not talked to Senators GM Bryan Murray “in more than a month.”

Portzline also reports that the Philadelphia Flyers are not happy with their goaltending duo of Antero Niittymaki and Martin Biron, and will look to acquire a “big-time” goalie before the trade deadline.

Lastly from Portzline, he reports that the Calgary Flames are closing in on a contract extension with pending restricted free agent defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer tells Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that he has not tried to convince UFA forward and former teammate Teemu Selanne to rejoin the Ducks.

However, Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal believes that there is a 75% chance Selanne will return to the Anaheim Ducks this season.

Matheson also reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets have been scouting the Ottawa Senators in recent games against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.

The Senators are pursuing a top-six forward, likely a center, and may have some interest in Blue Jackets’ forward Sergei Fedorov. The link here is that current GM Bryan Murray traded for Fedorov while he was the GM in Anaheim.

Both Matheson and Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post Dispatch agree that if the Edmonton Oilers haven’t locked up a playoff spot by the February 26 trade deadline, they will shop goalie Dwayne Roloson.

The Chicago Blackhawks might have some interest if they can move their Nikolai Khabibulin, their high-priced starter.

Portzline also reports that the Blue Jackets are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins forward Erik Christensen, and may have to part with defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen in return.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Carolina Hurricanes would love to acquire Senators defenseman Joe Corvo or forward Antoine Vermette.

However, Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford isn’t willing to meet the Senators’ asking price of forward Erik Cole. That’s contrary to chatter that Rutherford might be interested in sending Cole to the Blue Jackets for forward David Vyborny, though.

Garrioch also reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to dump goalie Andrew Raycroft, but aren’t finding any takers.

Lastly from Garrioch, word is that Florida Panthers prospect Michael Frolik might re-enter the draft, where “he’d be a top-five pick.” The Czech forward is yet to sign an entry-level contract with the club after being low-balled by the Panthers.

“There has been (trade) talk around the league and it continues,” Toronto general manager John Ferguson said last night. “But I don’t get the feeling that a one-week freeze is going to be the impetus for anyone to (fast track a deal).”

The holiday roster freeze takes effect Wednesday at midnight and lasts until midnight December 27. Teams are not allowed to make any sort of roster changes during that period.

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Pittsburgh Penguins are contemplating approaching unrestricted free agent goaltender Curtis Joseph with a contract offer.

The Penguins are said to have interest in adding a veteran netminder due to the injury to first-stringer Marc-Andre Fleury.

Joseph, who has been keeping in shape, has set January “as his optimal point of return.”

Tim Sassone of the Chicago Daily Herald reports that Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe took in the Wednesday’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings in what could have been a scouting mission.

Word is that Lowe is looking to deal forwards Jarret Stoll and Raffi Torres.

Still with the Blackhawks, Sassone reports that Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon has given no indication that he will try to move goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Carolina Hurricanes aren’t likely to deal forward Erik Cole.

While some rumors have the Hurricanes interested in Ottawa Senators defensemen Joe Corvo, the Hurricanes “wouldn’t deal Cole for Corvo.”

Besides, as Garrioch points out, Cole’s trade value could be hampered by his hefty $4 million salary.

Jack Todd of The Montreal Gazette reports that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier has no desire to play for the Montreal Canadiens. In fact, “doesn’t want to play” Montreal.

San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau tells David Pollak of the Mercury News that he’s not overly concerned with the trade rumors coming out of Canada that have mentioned his name.

“I have a job to do on the ice and that’s all I can worry about and take care of. It’s a hockey country, a hockey hotbed, so there’s always talk up there. There’s always rumors.”

Murray is interested in acquiring a top-six forward and a depth defenseman, but doesn’t want to deal any players off his roster.

“I’m definitely not going to do something that affects us very much this year. Certainly, I’d give up a long-term project to get immediate help, but I’m not going to sacrifice that right now.”

That’s not to say that Murray has not been receiving calls from rival GMs to inquire about the availability of some of the club’s roster players.

Both the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are said to interested in defenseman Joe Corvo. It’s unclear what the Hurricanes are offering, but the Oilers are trying to “peddle” for forwards Jarret Stoll or Raffi Torres.

However, Murray isn’t in a hurry to move defenseman.

“It’s very difficult to get a real good defencemen,” said Murray. “That’s the biggest commodity in the league.”

Just like with the defenseman, the Senators GM believes that holding on to goalies Martin Gerber and Ray Emery is the prudent thing to do.

“It’s difficult, No. 1, to make a trade for a goaltender, especially in the dollar range we’re in. No. 2, what do you have to replace it? An adequate backup is not going to be $500,000, so you could maybe save half the money (Emery making $3.2 million and Gerber $3.7 million this season), but you’d take such a step backwards in ability.”

“When you come down the stretch and you have a freak injury or a guy not playing at 100%, you don’t have an adequate backup. You have to have a second goalie (who) can play.”

As for defenseman Wade Redden, Garrioch reports that the club is waiting for him to come down from his $6.5 million salary demands before making him an offer.

Should Redden and the Senators not come to an agreement before the February 26 trade deadline, could he be the one dealt for that elusive top-six forward?

But even though his club is mired in a six-game losing, don’t expect Murray to pull the trigger on any short-sighted deals. Especially when it comes to moving players like forward Antoine Vermette and defenseman Andrej Meszaros.

Murray said over the week-end that “he would rather make deals when the club is winning,” so it’s likely he will stay patient and let his club pull itself out of their slump before making changes.

It’s believed that Murray would like to acquire some depth, and add a top-six forward. That’s easier said than done, however, as those types of players are hard to come by.

There’s also talk that the Senators would not mind moving defenseman Joe Corvo. The Colorado Avalanche may be interested as they are said to be looking for a blueliner. The problem with Corvo is that he makes $2.62 million per season; that won’t help his marketability.

“I’ve heard about it,” Burke said of the TSN website report. “I’m going to call him again over the next couple of days and see what he’s thinking. He has not told me about any deadline. He told TSN about it.”

Unrestricted free agent forward Peter Forsberg told a Swedish newspaper lately that the Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars have all expressed interest in acquiring his services, reports Newsday’s Steve Zipay.

Meanwhile, Forsberg also revealed that fellow Swede and long-time friend Daniel Alfredsson has been trying to convince him to come play for the Ottawa Senators.

However, according to Rob Parent of the Delco Times the Senators may have taken themselves out of the Forsberg sweepstakes after signing forward Jason Spezza to a seven-year, $49 million contract for a $7 million salary cap hit.

Still with the Senators, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests that if the club wants to retain pending UFA defenseman Wade Redden they will have to move blueliner Joe Corvo and his $2.675 million salary.

As for goalies Ray Emery and Martin Gerber, neither are available for trade at this point. That may be the reason why GMs have not called the Senators to inquire about their availability.

Garrioch also reports that Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is actively shopping for a center and puck-moving defenseman and have apparently contacted the Edmonton Oilers. The oilers are said to be down on forward Raffi Torres and wouldn’t mind moving him.

Lastly, Garrioch reports that talks between the Buffalo Sabres and pending free agent defenseman Brian Campbell have been put on hold until next week. Word is that Campbell is looking for a five-year deal, worth $25 million. The Sabres want to re-sign Campbell before he hits free agency.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun notes that the Toronto Maple Leafs have $42 million committed to next year’s payroll, without having forwards Mats Sundin, Kyle Wellwood, Alexander Steen or Matt Stajan under contract.