Clockwork

The strange thing about the game tonight is that Washington actually seemed to dominate the first period in every way except for the score board. Their fore check was very persistent and they were causing turnovers and all sorts of trouble down low. Of course, the Canes' first two power plays were so smooth that they looked like they were scripted. Washington seemed absolutely stunned at how quickly and efficiently the puck was moved and put into the net. The third goal by Stillman, completing the natural hat trick, was a beautiful two-on-one really set free by a punishing check by Tim Gleason on Brian Sutherby (if memory serves).

Ovechkin was everywhere for the Caps and really made his presence felt. Ward denied him time and time again and I know it frustrated the Russian, like it did with all of his team mates. That frustration may have led to Brashear's stupid boarding major. It's hard to say what was going through his mind though. Anyway, the Canes are performing like they need to be right now and they get to look forward to hosting Tampa on Friday.

Numbers on listed trade rumor

Information via NHL Numbers

Philadelphia's current salary information: est $42.408 million; 22 players (11 forwards, 9 defensemen, 2 goalies) - 2 RFAs of note: Afanasenkov and Pitkanen. Depth: Can't really make an informed commentary here, although Rathje's health is important to the equation.

Carolina's current salary information: est $42.247 million; 21 players (11 forwards, 8 defensemen, 2 goalies) - 0 RFAs of note. Depth: 8 top 9 forwards; 4 healthy young solid D, 1 old solid, 1 old unhealthy solid;


Joni Pitkanen (22 yo)
RFA making 2 million dollars last year

Nic Wallin (31 yo)
3 years left at 1.75 million, no-trade clause then UFA

Mike Commodore (26 yo)
1 year left at 1.3 million (1.25 cap hit) then UFA

Tim Gleason (23 yo)
1 year left at 1.175 million then RFA

Dennis Seidenberg (24 yo)
1 year left at 850K (0.8 cap hit) then RFA

Trade rumors

The biggest thing going on right now from a Hurricanes perspective is the persistent rumor of the team trading for a defenseman, specifically Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Joni Pitkanen. According to Luke deCock of the N&O, the most likely candidates to be moved are Nic Wallin (with a no-trade clause no less), Mike Commodore, Tim Gleason, and Dennis Seidenberg.

He also points out the issues with trading each of them: Wallin's aforementioned no-trade clause, Commodore's development and price make him good to keep, Gleason (PR for Johnson), and Seidenberg's relative worth. Only two of those reasons are valid from the Hurricanes' perspective - the no-trade clause and Commodore's price.

The main thing working in our favor is that Philadelphia just signed Kimmo Timonen to a huge contract and they're still looking for a high profile (read: expensive) center to match. Cap space may be an issue and we might be able to grab Pitkanen for a song.

Package Gleason and Seidenberg with Wallin (if possible) or a prospect. This would free up some of our defensive logjam, allow us to resign Tanabe if we wanted, and still have some left over for a third-line center. I need to look at the organizational depth chart and salary before going too much into it. Philly fans would likely react in outrage to that trade, and I wouldn't blame them. From what I read, they want first line talent in exchange for Pitkanen.

Of course they do, because like me, they're fans. Realistically that's never going to happen. We'll see how, if at all, it pans out.