• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Carolina Hurricanes

The Blame Game in Carolina

By AJ Soucy March 3rd, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Carolina Hurricanes

It has been a frustrating month for Head Coach Kirk Muller

“…like poop through a diarrhea infested goose”.

Those are the words Dallas Stars color commentator Daryl “Razor” Reaugh used to describe Jamie Benn cutting through a lackluster Carolina defense on his way to score a goal Thursday night.  Not very kind.  Not very clever, really.  But, with the downfall the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in since their return to play following the Olympic break, probably fairly accurate.

The Carolina Hurricanes started the week just two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final playoff spot.  Most of their stars were rested, with only four players making the trip to Sochi.  Their starting goaltender was just returning from injury, and their backup was playing the best hockey of his career.

And, despite having to participate in a five-game road trip, the schedule did not seem all too daunting.  What looked like an easy trip to the league’s worst team in Buffalo, was followed by a stop in Dallas to face the Stars, then a quick California tour, beginning with the suddenly slumping Kings.

How quickly a season can unravel.

The Hurricanes found a way to dominate and lose to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.  They then gave up two shorthanded goals and the aforementioned “diarrhea” goal in an embarrassing loss to the Stars, which also saw Carolina lose forward Alexander Semin to injury.  Follow that up with a 3-1 loss to the L.A. Kings on Saturday, and the ‘Canes find themselves seven points out with 22 games remaining in the 2013-2014 NHL season.

While it may not exactly be time for Eric Staal and his red and white sweatered companions to turn their skates in for the season, it is probably safe to assume a trip to the playoffs is a long shot.  Which begs the question; who is to blame for this fallout?

Jim Rutherford Can’t Sign ‘Em

Jim Rutherford, who is the only General Manager the Carolina Hurricanes have ever known, has been with the organization for twenty-years.  He has been with the team since they donned the Green and Blue and blasted the Brass Bonanza from the Hartford Civic Center as the Hartford Whalers.

And, while longevity and consistency in the front office is a great, rare commodity in sports, sometimes a change of scenery is needed.

The Carolina Hurricanes are home to some of the worst contracts in the NHL.  Their top paid players such as Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, and Alexander Semin are far from performing up to their contract numbers.  Their 29-year old goalie, Cam Ward, has a $6.3 million dollar cap hit and is nearly untradeable; and unplayable with Khudobin outshining him this season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Alexander Semin is not playing up to his $7 million cap hit – Photo Credit: Andy Martin Jr

Furthermore, the ‘Canes future is not looking too bright from a prospect standpoint.  Currently, the Hurricanes rank 28th in Hockey Future’s Prospect Team Rankings, with only Elias Lindholm projecting as a top-six forward on the NHL level.

However, as overpaid as some of Carolina’s stars may be, there is no denying their talent level.  They are also all locked up for the foreseeable future.  Forgetting whether or not Jim Rutherford can evaluate prospects or negotiate contracts, he does have the Carolina Hurricanes in firm, stable shape moving forward.  And there is no arguing has put the talent on the ice.  But has it been utilized properly?

Kirk Muller Can’t Coach ‘Em

The talent is there.  Eric Staal and Cam Ward have won a cup before.  Four other Hurricanes’ players just returned from representing their countries in the highest honor in the Olympics.  There is no denying the ‘Canes have the talent to compete with the best teams.  So, what is the problem?

Kirk Muller took over coaching duties in 2011 after the firing of Paul Maurice.  Since then, he has compiled a record of 70-70-25 with exactly as many coaching playoff appearances as I have, and came into the season with one of the hottest seats in the NHL.

From an outsider perspective, his stretch-passing plays out of the break seem to be ill suited for the team as presently

Carolina Hurricanes

Can Eric Staal really fit in Kirk Muller’s system? – Photo By Andy Martin Jr

constructed.  His defensemen cannot seem to make the passes, and his forwards, who are more physical and powerful, do not seem to have the speed to execute through the neutral zone.  However, he has not adapted his coaching style to the players on his roster in his third season as Carolina’s head coach.

However, Kirk Muller is well-liked and well-respected inside the Carolina Hurricane locker room, and after taking over halfway through the 2011-2012 season and coaching through the strike shortened 2012-2013 season, is really in his first full year of implementing his system.

* * *

Pointing fingers has rarely ever produced results.  Instead, it usually leads to well-publicized drama within the organization and can leave a black eye on the front office as a whole (just ask the Miami Dolphins after their GM/Coach feud).  While there is no reason to believe Rutherford and Muller do not see eye-to-eye, the fact remains that if the Hurricanes cannot turn this season around, someone has to take responsibility.

So, is it the chicken or the egg?  The guy who brings in the players, negotiates their contracts, evaluates talent and has been with the organization for twenty years?  Or, the new guy with a different attitude who coaches the players, motivates them to perform, and is ultimately responsible for the performance on the ice?

Whoever it is needs to cure this Goose.  And fast.

  • Tags
  • Alexander Semin
  • Eric Staal
  • Jim Rutherford
  • Kirk Muller
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 19th 1:20 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Rookie Spotlight: Jakub Zboril

Jan 19th 1:10 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Defense Boosted by Returns of Johnson & Byram

Jan 19th 1:00 PM
Colorado Avalanche

NHL Rumors: Senators, Canucks, Avalanche, Oilers, More

Jan 19th 11:24 AM
Archives

They Wore It Once: Bruins Players and Their Unique Numbers

Jan 19th 11:14 AM
Archives

Top-5 Players From France in NHL History

Jan 19th 10:55 AM
Women's Hockey

Metropolitan Riveters 2021 Season Preview

Jan 19th 10:45 AM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Andersen, Marner, Spezza & Robertson

Jan 19th 10:35 AM
Philadelphia Flyers

Couturier’s Injury Results in Opportunity for Flyers’ Young Talent

Jan 19th 10:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Fans & Media Need to Give Drouin His Due

Jan 19th 10:15 AM
All-Star Weekend

1991 NHL All-Star Game & the Gulf War: The Modern NHL in a Time of War

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information