12/3/2008 11:23:22 AM

Hell I'm going the Pens game just to watch Sid and Malkin be sick nasty.

12/3/2008 11:23:40 AM

You don't luck your way to the Finals.

Saying that about 2002 is no different than everyone who says we lucked our way to the Cup in 06.

It's ridiculous how much overreaction there is in this thread.

12/3/2008 11:25:28 AM

Live press conference video http://www.newsobserver.com/1181/story/1037876.html

12/3/2008 11:26:45 AM

i guess this is the pressure free situation to see if Ronnie likes coaching or not. Grab a familiar face from the Sault to ride shotgun with and see if he wants a kick at it.

12/3/2008 11:32:48 AM

lol at someone on the N&O blog pointing out that the theme of this week in the NHL must be "sloppy seconds"

12/3/2008 11:35:08 AM

just heard they fired the coach and did some post stalking so i felt compelled to post here...article that i read says they couldnt confirm if francis would be assistant coach but that would be awesome if he does

12/3/2008 11:35:33 AM

Ron Francis named 'Associate Coach'

12/3/2008 11:37:10 AM

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 11:38 AM. Reason : and thats awesome]

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 11:43 AM. Reason : sorry, it is Associate]

12/3/2008 11:38:01 AM

^Rutherford's words not Vulcan's

12/3/2008 11:38:28 AM

this is also live on WRAL's NewsChannel (Ch 256)

12/3/2008 11:39:37 AM

hahahaha Mo immediately basically says "NO TRAP"

12/3/2008 11:41:12 AM

"Going for it, being aggressive, being an exciting team to play"

YES PLZ.

12/3/2008 11:42:25 AM

I love how our local media is all over this, except for not really...youd think this would be on one of those channels, but its not.

NHL Network is equally as worthless...whats the point of the channel if they arent going to cover breaking news around the league?

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 11:46 AM. Reason : ^^^So they finally got with the program...wasnt on at the start...typical]

12/3/2008 11:42:45 AM

One thing I almost forgot about Mo.

Press conferences will certainly be a lot more interesting now.

12/3/2008 11:42:53 AM

my phone was going absolutely crazy about an hour and a half ago and didn't stop until 30 minutes ago

its like living in a twilight zone episode

i am still in shock

12/3/2008 11:43:16 AM

Quote :

"He has to have the single longest name in hockey now. Assistant General Manager Head of Player Development Associate Head Coach Ron Francis."

LOL




[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 11:46 AM. Reason : ]

12/3/2008 11:43:24 AM

we better fuckin win on college night

12/3/2008 11:44:06 AM

So, I couldn't find this anywhere... With Ronnie taking over, does this mean Kevin McCarthy is fired to?

12/3/2008 11:48:22 AM

I admit I called for his head, but I don't agree with once again Kevin McCarthy escaping firing. He's been here since the Mo days the first time. I want him gone.

Now don't be surprised if the Stars fire Tippett and hire Lavi and they turn their season around and we crash and burn. Of course this is a good year to crash and burn - Tavares is in the draft haha.

But seriously, I'll be there Sunday, if only my Kapanen jersey fit from back in the day of the Greensboro days. The Leafs only had Sundin and Antropov playing well last year, Mo has more talent and I honestly think he can turn it around.

Also when Mo doesn't get his way, he does those calling out practices, I remember O'Neil years ago got drilled in one of them and could hardly skate off the ice afterwards. This is what we need, accountability. Maybe we should bring back the big O too since Mo is back.

12/3/2008 11:48:58 AM

Quote :

"NHL Network is equally as worthless...whats the point of the channel if they arent going to cover breaking news around the league?"

no shit, i've been on this channel for 30 minutes now. All of this seems tape delayed....nothing across the bottom line either. What is the point of your network if you don't cover breaking news?

12/3/2008 11:48:59 AM

"There were 3 teams that ran a 2 man forecheck in the Eastern Conference last year... Carolina, Buffalo, Toronto. None of them made the playoffs. Mind you the team that won the Cup did too."

12/3/2008 11:51:15 AM

Alright, so if McCarthy didn't get canned, its bs....Because most of our troubles stem from his department, the pp

12/3/2008 11:53:03 AM

I too would like to see the building loud again

12/3/2008 11:53:52 AM

Ronnie is doing pp now

12/3/2008 11:54:32 AM

He was running it last night before Skate with the Canes.

12/3/2008 11:54:58 AM

What were they just talking about in the press conference about the market or whatever?

Somebody walked over to my desk to talk about it so I didn't hear any of that part.

12/3/2008 11:57:16 AM

i think it was something to do with the transition from a traditional hockey market like toronto to here

12/3/2008 11:58:29 AM

^^^there was a coaching change TODAY, ronnie is running it after TODAY

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 11:59 AM. Reason : ,]

12/3/2008 11:59:25 AM

I keep waiting for the cameras and Ashton running out saying we all got punked.

Canes pwnt.

12/3/2008 11:59:26 AM

LOL at Maurice STILL bitter about being fired

12/3/2008 12:00:53 PM

I like Lavi a lot of a coach and someways did think he needed to go. BUT NOT FOR MAURICE!!!! ARGHHH!!!!

Bring in Ted Nolan god damnit!

Don't know if this was said but someone mentioned that they may use Maurice as an interim coach to give Francis some time since he is now an associate coach.

12/3/2008 12:01:24 PM

Going on TSN is interesting, most comments are in favor of the 'Canes doing this too. Basically he had nothing to work with in Toronto (which was also true of here) and I'm starting to be more confident in this move. I trust JR's judgement as he is a Top 5 GM in the league. I think the ultimate thing the 'Canes need is someone who passionately cares about the team and you can tell at every press conference Mo cared and I think that's what's needed. Players started to not fight as hard for Lavi recently and we need that (biggest difference between 2005-2006 and the past 2 1/4 seasons).

Hopefully Mo can right this ship and get us back where we belong!

12/3/2008 12:01:40 PM

Quote :

"I trust JR's judgement as he is a Top 5 GM in the league."

Do what? He is far from top 5. He probably isn't even top 5 in the eastern conference.

12/3/2008 12:05:09 PM

How do you figure?

12/3/2008 12:06:59 PM

12/3/2008 12:07:09 PM

I'd put him in the Top 5...the only two I can think of who are better are Lamirello and Burke.

Anyway, this is bizarre, only because Tom Rowe didn't get promoted and McCarthy is still around.

MO MUST GO COME BACK

12/3/2008 12:07:48 PM

lol @ Merry Christmas, I could care less

12/3/2008 12:09:05 PM

therooster, I'm well aware of how a calendar functions, and that Ron became the official head of the PP or whatever today. What I was pointing out was that he was also running it yesterday at the end of practice before Skate with the Canes.

JR said that Lavi was actually sacked yesterday afternoon, which would explain why he did not appear particularly PLEASED at last night's event.

12/3/2008 12:10:34 PM

Rutherford in the past has gotten the most for the least. Look at the Corvo trade, we drop two unrestricted (both got way too much) and got Corvo and Eaves. Eaves just needs to work out. Samsonov turned out pretty good last year (I think he can turn it around still).

Also he's pretty well respected around the league (not like Kevin Lowe). He's far from a Ken Holland, but I would have to argue about Lou. I think he isn't as good as he gets credit for, he had Brodeur and would fire coaches in the last week of the season just to take over. I never agreed with those moves (especially Claude Julien). Burke took over Murray's team in Anaheim and in the long run though he did some good moves for the nucks (Sedin twins and Luongo) but he also left the franchise in somewhat of shambles with fall out moves.

12/3/2008 12:12:29 PM

top 5 over all for me:

Holland, Lamoriello, Regier, Wilson, Shero

Eastern Conference:
Lamoriello, Fegier, Shero, McPhee, Chiarelli

12/3/2008 12:13:26 PM

Lamirello works the system as well as anyone...the Mogilny salary dump for instance.

As for the last-minute coaching changes, you can't argue with Stanley Cups.

12/3/2008 12:14:16 PM

Can someone explain to me why you would rehire the coach you fired to replace the guy that took his place? This makes no sense to me. My hockey knowledge is very limited, but I do go to games occasionally. This just seems nuts.

12/3/2008 12:14:48 PM

Quote :

"I'd put him in the Top 5...the only two I can think of who are better are Lamirello and Burke."

Sorry Burke is over-rated....however Kevin Holland is who you shoulda said as your other one.

Agree with Lamirello.

12/3/2008 12:14:49 PM

I just wanted FUN hockey back

12/3/2008 12:15:26 PM

TIME TO UPDATE

12/3/2008 12:19:25 PM

JR is definately a top 5 GM. The list of good moves goes well beyond the Corvo and Eaves deal.

12/3/2008 12:20:15 PM

PRACTICE WATCH

12/3/2008 12:22:15 PM

JR looks at two things: 1) did they play for him before? 2) do they suck at passing?

If you answered yes to both of those, odds are he will sign them.

12/3/2008 12:28:37 PM

WHERE ARE YOUR CANES FLAGS NOW?

12/3/2008 12:33:50 PM