Photo: Benjamin Reed/Flickr

The NHL offseason is a busy, yet exciting, time for teams and fans alike. This is when fans get to see their teams building for the future. However, not every team makes the moves necessary to become a legitimate contender. With the 2012 NHL draft complete and free agency currently going on I will be looking at every NHL team; taking into account the moves they’ve already made, what players are free agents, who looks to be coming back, what prospects are already under contract, etc; and then deciding whether that team will, in the next two years, be more of a “contender” or “pretender”. This week we’ll be taking a look at the Carolina Hurricanes.

Offense:

The Hurricanes return a slew of talented forwards, including perennial 70 point scorer Eric Staal, Jussi Jokinen and 2011 Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) winner Jeff Skinner to name a few. Jokinen’s proven himself to be a very good two-way player, putting up 46 points in 79 games played last season. Skinner, on the other hand, struggled with concussion issues last season but still managed to put up 44 points. Other notable offensive returnees for the Canes include Tuomo Ruutu (18 goals, 34 points), Chad LaRose (19 goals, 32 points) and Jiri Tlusty (17 goals, 36 points, plus-1 rating). » Continue reading “Contender or Pretender: Carolina Hurricanes Edition”

This week’s journey into glory starts with a card featuring goaltender Manon Rheaume. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because she made a lot of news in the 1990s by being the first woman to try out for and sign a contract with an NHL team. She played in two exhibition games for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1993.

As impressive as that resume is, apparently it’s nothing compared to being a super hero. Years before the Guardian Project no less.

Happy Wednesday, kids.

» Continue reading “Hump Day Hockey Cards”

Welcome to “They Said WHAT!?”, a new weekly feature on Intermission Report. Every Monday, we’re going to post what we think is the funniest or most random tweet sent out by an NHLer.

To get us started, we have PK Subban of the Montreal Canadiens. Sunday night, Subban attended the Much Music Video Music Awards, along with Michael Del Zotto of the New York Rangers, Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins, John Tavares of the New York Islanders, and Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes. Yes, that Jeff Skinner.

Subban tweeted this photo of himself, Skinner, and hip hop group Far East Movement.

I don’t know what’s the funniest part of this picture: the Nike shirt under Subban’s jacket, the fact that PK and Jeff are dressed in a similar fashion, or that Jeff Skinner is hanging out with hip hop group Far East Movement

 Unfortunautely, Canada rallied back on goals from John Tavares and Jeff Skinner to tie it. The third period saw a goal by Evander Kane . Kari Lehtonen was pulled in the final minute of regulation and Jordan Eberle scored an empty netter to seal the victory.

“The first period was great, even the second, but when they got the lead in the third, we just couldn’t get back,” said Valtteri Filppula. “We couldn’t play full 60 minutes the way we wanted, but I don’t want to take anything away from Canada.” (Quote Source: IIHF Website)

Tomorrow Finland will meet the United States, another team having a strong tournament with only one loss on their record.

Mr. Insurance Goal, Ryan Getzlaf. (photo:screenshot/TSN.ca)

Another early goal let in by Cam Ward was the downfall for Team Canada during the first period; that and not being able to capitalize on their power play opportunities. While unfortunate, the first period was motivation to Canada get their behinds in gear and get the rest of the game done.

» Continue reading “Another For the Canadians”