Canes Sign Josef

[LuvJeffKevEric928012]

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/news/news.asp?articleid=1093

[Stormbringer]

As Wayne and Garth would utter, excellent! :spin:

[Turbulence]

Good news! We got everything wrapped up for next season...glad there was ho holdout with Joe.

[Logansfrog]

Wooo Hoooo!!!!

I don't know why, but I was getting very worried about whether Big Joe was going to sign on or not...I'm so glad he's signed on the dotted line and that all will be as it should be to start the season.

[cmw00]

This is great news!

Now what position do you guys think he'll play? Espn says he'll be a 1st line Left wing with Francis and O'Neil. Personally with Francis probaly wanting to play less games (like last season but was unable to), I'd rather see a 1st line of Cole-Rod-O'Neil....

[Turbulence]

I think over the course of the year we'll see the majority of our goals being scored by the Brind'Amour line...and we'll see that line start to take over first line duties. We'll also see O on the Brindy line. Francis will have his playing time cut back, just like he wanted it last year. When Francis isn't playing I think we'll see Vasicek center the second line. When Francis is playing, I think we'll see Joe scratched. Unless one of our guys is hurt, it looks like our LW spots are filled. Cole, DeFauw, Murray, and Bayda look to have those positions.
I think we'll see him playing in 40-50 games this year, as an often-scratch.

[moonstomper]

*dusts off hands* That takes care of that......

[talkingcanes]

Now that he's signed I expect him to step up and show us what he can do. He needs a consistent year IMO including scoring some goals and being a bit tougher in the trenches.

[cmw00]

I'd love to keep Jo in center, he needs to bulk up abit, he's 6'5 and only 210lbs? Man get him to bulk up and he'll be a big force in the crease ala the old eric lindross...

[Shell]

Good for Joe. I hope is back is healed because he has to step up in a big way IMO.

[hyena]

whew, that's good to hear. :D

[nccanes]

Great article about Joe.

Shows he's as anxious as anyone else - doesn't sound like he was playing hardball or anything!

By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer


Having never been a restricted free agent before, Josef Vasicek was a little curious about how it all worked.
He ended up taking an extended tour before finally re-signing with the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Along the way, the center changed his agent and waited until eight days before the opening of training camp to accept the Canes' offer, a one-year deal believed to be worth $385,000 with a generous bonus package.

"I didn't know it was going to be like that," Vasicek said from his home in Havlickuv Brod , Czech Republic. "It's a longer process than I expected, but it went well. They gave me something they didn't have to and I'm going to give them something. I want to play real well for them."

Vasicek was the team's last unsigned player with training camp opening with physicals on Sept. 11 and the team's first practice on Sept. 12, Vasicek's 23rd birthday. He is scheduled to return from Europe on Friday.

"We don't have any distractions," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Training camp is a time to get focused and get ready for the season and not be wondering when certain players are getting in. I am very pleased that we have everybody signed and all our players will be in town by Sunday. It's the first time we've ever had everybody in this early."

Vasicek had 20 points in 57 games last season. He missed 25 games with a persistent back injury, which Vasicek said hasn't bothered him all summer.

The team's third-line center for the past three seasons since winning the job as a rookie , he could end up anywhere from first-line left wing to fourth-line center depending on how he does in camp.

"I'm happy the deal is done and I'm going back," Vasicek said. "I love the city and I love the people, so this is great."


:D :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OK....that's TWO N&O articles today that got me all teary eyed.

So even Weekes will be back by Sunday? Alright!! :spin:

[Turbulence]

Great news, great news. Joe's got the right attitude. I absolutely can't wait for hockey season to get here. I can feel success in my bones.

[hyena]

So even Weekes will be back by Sunday? Alright!! :spin:
thank goodness. :beatup:

[Jeff O Rocks]

So even Weekes will be back by Sunday? Alright!! :spin:
thank goodness. :beatup:

I echo that sentiment Amanda...he NEEDS to get back!

[cmw00]

Well that great news! I never thought he was playing hardball, if anything I figured the canes were the ones taking so long. I says stick him on a wing and create a space for Staal. Jo on the second line LW- Jo-Ron(when he plays)-Vrbata. Put the puck in Rons hand, put Jo right in the goalies face in the crease, and put Vrbata out cycling away from the goal looking for a one timer or a pass inside to Jo. I think that would score a few goals!

As for weekes, after reading the article about him, he's probaly better off where he is and doing what he's doing at the moment. He'll probaly get better work there with the people he's working with than down here doing drills ande scrimagging.....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

As for weekes, after reading the article about him, he's probaly better off where he is and doing what he's doing at the moment. He'll probaly get better work there with the people he's working with than down here doing drills ande scrimagging.....

I think I missed that. What article are you referring to?

[Jeff O Rocks]

As for weekes, after reading the article about him, he's probaly better off where he is and doing what he's doing at the moment. He'll probaly get better work there with the people he's working with than down here doing drills ande scrimagging.....

I heard from some folks that did the commercial with him that he was doing a movie or something when he left Raleigh! :roll:

[talkingcanes]

As for weekes, after reading the article about him, he's probaly better off where he is and doing what he's doing at the moment. He'll probaly get better work there with the people he's working with than down here doing drills ande scrimagging.....

I heard from some folks that did the commercial with him that he was doing a movie or something when he left Raleigh! :roll:

they are still officially on vacation. as long as they are all back for the official start of camp, then I hope they've enjoyed the vacation. If Kevin didn't learn his lesson about being in shape to start the season last year, then he won't ever learn it. hopefully, he will come to camp in shape and hydrated ;)

[Guyute]

I don't see what the problem is with KW not showing up for the optional practices that have been going on. Sure, you'd think he'd be ready to go... chomping at the bit so to say.... but, that doesn't mean that he's not busting his ass training elsewhere.

I doubt he's just lounging on his couch eating buckets of ice cream. He could just have a summer ritual with a particular trainer, and wants to stay there as long as he can. I don't blame the guy for that. I'm sure when it's time to start the official camp, he'll be 110%.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I want everybody back but Kevin sticks out in my mind because last season he came back the night before camp and then proceeded to have a seizure on the ice presumably due to dehydration. As long as he is a) in shape and b) hydrated I'll be happy. But I do think it would be good for them as a team to do a little extra bonding this season (Kevin certainly has never made any efforts to seem like part of the team or part of the community, IMO) and good for Kevin to get a look at the new D-men that will be playing in front of him as soon as possible. That's just my opinion though. I like a nice cohesive unit.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I want everybody back but Kevin sticks out in my mind because last season he came back the night before camp and then proceeded to have a seizure on the ice presumably due to dehydration. As long as he is a) in shape and b) hydrated I'll be happy. But I do think it would be good for them as a team to do a little extra bonding this season (Kevin certainly has never made any efforts to seem like part of the team or part of the community, IMO) and good for Kevin to get a look at the new D-men that will be playing in front of him as soon as possible. That's just my opinion though. I like a nice cohesive unit.

I agree... I don't want to see a repeat of his seizure...that was horrific!! :sad: There is much doubt about goaltending for the Canes this year and I hope Weeksey doesn't think that since Irbe is gone, he can do as he pleases and expect it to be good enough. There is always Pat D and as I stated before, I don't think he is ready...big question mark????

[rons#1fan]

I think Kevin will be up for the position. He knows what's expected of him and I believe he's worked up to the #1 goalie spot. We'll never know what he would have been like if it wasn't for that concussion....but I agree with Guyute...all the guys looked in great shape before they started the volunteer practicing and I can't believe that Kevin would have let himself go. So let's all keep a positive attitude (like Coach Mo) and believe we ARE going to the playoffs again this year !

[Cool Hand Luke]

(Kevin certainly has never made any efforts to seem like part of the team or part of the community, IMO) and good for Kevin to get a look at the new D-men that will be playing in front of him as soon as possible. That's just my opinion though. I like a nice cohesive unit.

I'm not sure what Weekes did to warrant this reputation of not making an effort to being a part of the team? Could you elaborate more of what you mean by that?

Isn't he actively involved with one or two children's charity groups within this community? I know I have heard of him being in one for sure, although I don't know the name of it off hand. I'm also not sure what else he needs to do, to be a part of the community.

I think it's great that so many guys have shown up this early and are displaying a hungry attitude so far. But, it's a long, long season and I'm with Guyute, as long as he shows up on time and in shape and ready to go, he'll have plenty of chance to gel with the new D-men. I'd rather have him fresh and not burned out come February and March then have him here a few weeks earlier. Also, we are not deep at goalie. Unlike if one of our many forwards get hurt, then someone else can step up, if Weekes gets hurt, it could mean the end of our season. It seems silly to me to have him risking injury in meaningless scrimmages. Keep him fresh until training camp starts, IMO.

[nccanes]

I'm not sure what Weekes did to warrant this reputation of not making an effort to being a part of the team? Could you elaborate more of what you mean by that?


I was thinking along the same lines. I know he's involved with the Boys and Girls Club and isn't he also involved some literacy stuff (I apologize for not remembering, but I know I've seen him PSA-like ads). Didn't Shell post something recently about him being a keynote speaker for a breakfast or lunch thing associated with Boys/Girls Club?

He doesn't appear to be very chatty/talkative, but neither is our Captain! ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

As far as being a part of the team there is a huge difference in what I have seen in practice between the way Patrick DesRochers interacts with the rest of the team and the way Weekes does....or doesn't, as the case may be. That may be an attribute that a lot of goalies posess so it may not be that unusual (I know they are considered loners usually) but Patrick doesn't appear to be that way and I wish Weekes weren't if that is the deal.

As far as not being a part of the community that may not be fair for me to say. I wasn't really talking about community service (though the Jimmy V springs to mind....but maybe he doesn't even golf). But I like the players who talk about what a great city Raleigh is and how much they like living here better than those who don't. I don't recall ever hearing Weekes say anything like that about Raleigh. He seems to try to be here as little as he possibly can....and when he is here he has a cell phone glued to his ear. This isn't something that usually bothers me but when you couple that with the lack of interaction with the rest of the team I just feel like he hasn't bonded here....and I wish he would. This team seems like a family in a lot of ways....but he doesn't really seem to be part of it to me.

But, it all boils down to performance. If he posts a solid year I probably won't give a crap whether he likes Raleigh or not.

[Stormbringer]

I'm not sure what Weekes did to warrant this reputation of not making an effort to being a part of the team? Could you elaborate more of what you mean by that?


I was thinking along the same lines. I know he's involved with the Boys and Girls Club and isn't he also involved some literacy stuff (I apologize for not remembering, but I know I've seen him PSA-like ads). Didn't Shell post something recently about him being a keynote speaker for a breakfast or lunch thing associated with Boys/Girls Club?

He doesn't appear to be very chatty/talkative, but neither is our Captain! ;)

Here are some articles...one about Weekes at the opening of Hurricanes Academy...

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/radE471E.asp

And the one Shell posted about the Boys and Girls Club...

http://www.letsgocanes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=27821

[Jeff O Rocks]

Again I agree with Angie...neither of us were talking about his involvement with "outside activities".....I am not criticizing him, I just wish he would get back into the swing of things like the rest of the team...most of the guys have been back since the 2nd week of August...conditioning and on the ice daily (except for weekends). I think it would show some "team spirit" for him to be back on the ice with the team as well..that is my honest opinion! I realize this is a pro sport but that is the appealing thing about our Canes ...the spirit they have.

[MoBigRed]

I am not criticizing him, I just wish he would get back into the swing of things like the rest of the team...most of the guys have been back since the 2nd week of August...conditioning and on the ice daily (except for weekends). I think it would show some "team spirit" for him to be back on the ice with the team as well..that is my honest opinion!


I respect that, but who knows what Kevin has been up to? As has been pointed out, he may have a training ritual that he goes through with a goaltending coach elsewhere. Remember the Canes only have one part-time. I'd much rather Kevin be training elsewhere with a goaltending coach than be here riding exercise bikes with the rest of the team but being ignored by the coaching staff. Remember Mo doesn't work well with goaltenders. From all reports, he doesn't socialize or work with them much at all. "Team spirit" vs "working with a goaltending coach"... i'll take the coach every time.

Personally i expect Weekes is doing what's best to get his peak performance flowing. I may be wrong on my take, but i don't think anyone else knows for sure what Weekes' regimen is, either.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Don't know if he has been working out anywhere, but some of the Caniacs that were in the commercial with him, said he had to leave to catch a plane to I believe LA...he is in a movie!! That is all well and good but I just hope he is in good shape when he gets back......I love Weeksey and I hope he has an awesome year for many reasons..I just hope he is working out somewhere with a coach!! :roll:

[guinevere]

The things that bother me about Weekes is that even when he is at practice, it seemed he was always last on, first off- compared to the other goaltender. It didn't seem that he was willing to work with the other players on anything extra. Irbe was out there as long as someone needed him. I'm wondering how Weekes will take to this role? You all are right about not knowing what goes on behind the scenes though. Perceptions in practice does not a truth make- I suppose. I do wish he would hand the stupid puck to the refs though. That dropping on the ice in front of them is not very classy - but thats just a minor pet peeve.

[Cool Hand Luke]

It's kind of amusing to me that many of the people criticizing Weekes for lack of "team spirit" are also those who still love and support Irbe, the man who singlehandedly screwed up team chemistry last year with one interview with the press.

[guinevere]

I admire Irbe for his past contributions to the team - he brought the team to the Stanley Cup Finals and was the most winningest goatender in Hurricanes history. I never supported his little outburst and always characterized that as a flaw of uber macho proportions. There is more on both sides othe Irbe issue than any of us will ever know. Why can't that part just be let go and look at whats coming. He's not part of the equation anymore. Weekes is. Whether or not Irbe did or didn't contribute or have spirit is not under debate. How Weekes is going to fill the role of number one now that it is his is what the discussion is about.

And by the way... if one little interview to the press totally undermined the team - it had a lot more problems that can be put on the shoulders of one man.

I am glad your little day was brightened though.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I apologize Miss Guinivere, (from King Arthur lore)? if I ruffled your feathers. I probably should have kept my smug comment to myself. But to defend my comment and perhaps elaborate a bit....

This discussion has split on many different tangents, but the one I was referring to was not whether Weekes could perform at number one, but whether he was ruining team chemistry as some people have indicated he was, by simply not being here early. A few people have mentioned how vitally important team unity and chemistry is for the Canes and I agree with that. That is why Irbe's statements last year, which would be mostly overlooked in larger markets, cut right to the heart of the Canes family last year. Just my opinion of course but it appears to be validated by Canes management. As for Irbe being out of the equation and not being a valid topic, I can think of 5.2 million reasons why he still a valid topic in any Canes discussion.

But to get to the point, I was trying to say that if we can forgive Archie for his mistakes last year, don't you think it's a bit early (a week before training camp even starts) to start with the Weekes bashing? The man has never said anything negative about the team, the organization, the area or community, or Canes management, yet some people are already on his case for not being a team or community guy. But they still support someone who turned his back on the team last year? It really is amusing, if you think about it. :)

[guinevere]

My feathers weren't ruffled and I see your point. I was concerned you thought I was bashing Weekes and putting Arch on a pedestal - not true. I do have some concerns about Weekes but am certainly willing to wait to see how he does. This is a whole new situation for him that he hasn't had to handle before - not only carrying a good bit of the team success but also as a role model for the backup and support for the new players.

Thanks for clarifying your stance though. Much appreciated (and still glad you're amused :) )

[CaniacManiac]

We are talking about Weekes and not Irbe and not anyone else so I think that we need to not be comparing Weeks to others. He is his own person and has his own style and way of interacting with the rest of the team and the fans. I think that we need to just sit back and let him either succeed or fail on his own merit (though I know we all want it to be succeed and be a top goalie this year, like he was headed last year before the concussion).

So he hasn't shown up for voluntary practice, maybe he works better on a one on one situation with a dedicated goalie coach OR maybe he's a total jerk that doesn't give a crap about the team or winning. We'll see in very short time which it is. Personally I like Weekes and think that he has great potential. I wish him the best this year because I want to see the Canes go all the way.

Sorry if I stepped on any toes, but I say lets give the guy a chance to truly be #1 goalie this season and be open-minded about him.

CaniacManiac

[MoBigRed]

So he hasn't shown up for voluntary practice, maybe he works better on a one on one situation with a dedicated goalie coach OR maybe he's a total jerk that doesn't give a crap about the team or winning. We'll see in very short time which it is.


Excellent statement. Obviously we all hope it's the first option, but i can see how it could be frustrating that he isn't here. But for my part, i have complete and utter confidence in Weekes... as long as he isn't having seizures during camp or recovering rather slowly from concussions.

Also, Guin and Luke... way to handle both sides of the issue in a classy manner.

The first drop of the puck can't get here soon enough...

[Guyute]

Mo took my post. well said cap'n, on all counts. :)