Ronnie will be back!!!

[Shell]

http://www.tridead.net/forums/images/smilies/ban_dance.gif:D :D :D :D :D http://www.tridead.net/forums/images/smilies/ban_dance.gif

Canes captain says he plans to return
Copyright © 2003 Nando Media
By LUKE DECOCK, The News & Observer

(April 23, 2003 9:42 a.m. EDT) - He's had more than two weeks to think about it, and his mind hasn't changed. Ron Francis still plans to come back to the Carolina Hurricanes for his 23rd NHL season this fall.

Francis, who turned 40 in March, said after the season's last game that he intended to come back but wanted to get away and make sure.

After taking his family to Florida for a week, and with the prospect of a long summer to heal a body still sore from the run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002, Francis hasn't come up with any new reasons to retire.

"My plan is to come back and play," Francis said Tuesday.

Francis finished the season with 57 points, enough to tie him with Gordie Howe with 22 straight seasons of 50-plus points but not enough to lock in a base salary of $5.5 million for next season.

He needed 60 points for that under the terms of the two-year contract he signed last June.

Instead, he'll make $4 million but with easily reachable incentives that would allow him to make the same $5.5 million he made this season.

"It all depends on what my role is and what we do and so forth," Francis said. "Part of the conversation I had last year with (Carolina general manager) Jimmy (Rutherford) was if I couldn't do a certain thing, they shouldn't have to pay for it."

THE BEAT GOES ON: The last-place Canes may not have had a postseason, but many of their ex-teammates are still playing.

Seven former members of the Hurricanes were involved in the three Game 7s on Tuesday, including five in Game 7 of the Toronto-Philadelphia series.

Keith Primeau and Sami Kapanen played for the Flyers while Gary Roberts and Glen Wesley played for the Maple Leafs. Trevor Kidd was Toronto's backup goalie.

Bates Battaglia played for Colorado against Minnesota and Marek Malik played for Vancouver against St. Louis.

Other ex-Hurricanes still playing regularly for playoff teams include Rob DiMaio (Dallas), Chris Dingman (Tampa Bay), Curtis Leschyshyn (Ottawa) and Sandis Ozolinsh (Anaheim).

A few others, like Tampa's Nolan Pratt and Vancouver's Darren Langdon, have yet to play.

BRANCHING OUT: Carolina TV announcer John Forslund, who has worked for ESPN during the first round of the playoffs, called Games 2, 5 and 6 of the Vancouver-St. Louis series but not Game 7. He also called Game 3 of the Washington-Tampa Bay series.

"It was great," Forslund said. "It was refreshing and professionally it was a challenge, so I really relished that. I was very lucky that all four games I did were really good games."

[Shell]

http://www.tridead.net/forums/images/smilies/ban_dance.gif:D :D :D :D :D http://www.tridead.net/forums/images/smilies/ban_dance.gif

Canes captain says he plans to return
Copyright © 2003 Nando Media
By LUKE DECOCK, The News & Observer

(April 23, 2003 9:42 a.m. EDT) - He's had more than two weeks to think about it, and his mind hasn't changed. Ron Francis still plans to come back to the Carolina Hurricanes for his 23rd NHL season this fall.

Francis, who turned 40 in March, said after the season's last game that he intended to come back but wanted to get away and make sure.

After taking his family to Florida for a week, and with the prospect of a long summer to heal a body still sore from the run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002, Francis hasn't come up with any new reasons to retire.

"My plan is to come back and play," Francis said Tuesday.

Francis finished the season with 57 points, enough to tie him with Gordie Howe with 22 straight seasons of 50-plus points but not enough to lock in a base salary of $5.5 million for next season.

He needed 60 points for that under the terms of the two-year contract he signed last June.

Instead, he'll make $4 million but with easily reachable incentives that would allow him to make the same $5.5 million he made this season.

"It all depends on what my role is and what we do and so forth," Francis said. "Part of the conversation I had last year with (Carolina general manager) Jimmy (Rutherford) was if I couldn't do a certain thing, they shouldn't have to pay for it."

THE BEAT GOES ON: The last-place Canes may not have had a postseason, but many of their ex-teammates are still playing.

Seven former members of the Hurricanes were involved in the three Game 7s on Tuesday, including five in Game 7 of the Toronto-Philadelphia series.

Keith Primeau and Sami Kapanen played for the Flyers while Gary Roberts and Glen Wesley played for the Maple Leafs. Trevor Kidd was Toronto's backup goalie.

Bates Battaglia played for Colorado against Minnesota and Marek Malik played for Vancouver against St. Louis.

Other ex-Hurricanes still playing regularly for playoff teams include Rob DiMaio (Dallas), Chris Dingman (Tampa Bay), Curtis Leschyshyn (Ottawa) and Sandis Ozolinsh (Anaheim).

A few others, like Tampa's Nolan Pratt and Vancouver's Darren Langdon, have yet to play.

BRANCHING OUT: Carolina TV announcer John Forslund, who has worked for ESPN during the first round of the playoffs, called Games 2, 5 and 6 of the Vancouver-St. Louis series but not Game 7. He also called Game 3 of the Washington-Tampa Bay series.

"It was great," Forslund said. "It was refreshing and professionally it was a challenge, so I really relished that. I was very lucky that all four games I did were really good games."

[talkingcanes]

yeah Ronnie :spin:

[talkingcanes]

yeah Ronnie :spin:

[Guyute]

now There's some good news :D

I knew he couldn't go out like that. but still, it's nice to see him say it.

thanks!

[Guyute]

now There's some good news :D

I knew he couldn't go out like that. but still, it's nice to see him say it.

thanks!

[Stormbringer]

YOOOOOUUUU!!

http://www.gamegen.com/fightgen/characters/vega-com-backflip.gif

As happy as I am over this, I'm not surprised...I recall Ronnie saying in a television interview (On his birthday, I believe...) that he didn't want to end on a season like the recently passed one. Anyway, thanks for posting this...it has really made my day. :spin:

[Stormbringer]

YOOOOOUUUU!!

http://www.gamegen.com/fightgen/characters/vega-com-backflip.gif

As happy as I am over this, I'm not surprised...I recall Ronnie saying in a television interview (On his birthday, I believe...) that he didn't want to end on a season like the recently passed one. Anyway, thanks for posting this...it has really made my day. :spin:

[hyena]

yay! that's great news. he has his reasons of course but i know he didn't want to end his career with a season like we just had. maybe next year we will give him the sendoff he deserves! :D :spin:

[hyena]

yay! that's great news. he has his reasons of course but i know he didn't want to end his career with a season like we just had. maybe next year we will give him the sendoff he deserves! :D :spin:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I never had any doubt but it sure is nice to hear it's official. :spin:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I never had any doubt but it sure is nice to hear it's official. :spin:

[lvscolencanes]

Thanks Shell!!

I believe eveyone in my office thinks I am nuts (well did already, but more now), b/c I yelled YEEEESSS, when I read that. But oh well, Thanks for the smile, needed a little pick-me-up!! :D

[lvscolencanes]

Thanks Shell!!

I believe eveyone in my office thinks I am nuts (well did already, but more now), b/c I yelled YEEEESSS, when I read that. But oh well, Thanks for the smile, needed a little pick-me-up!! :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

now There's some good news :D

I knew he couldn't go out like that. but still, it's nice to see him say it.

thanks!

me too guyute....I knew he couldn't leave on a losing note.. :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

now There's some good news :D

I knew he couldn't go out like that. but still, it's nice to see him say it.

thanks!

me too guyute....I knew he couldn't leave on a losing note.. :spin:

[crazy4canes]

Thanks for the good news, Shell. :D

[crazy4canes]

Thanks for the good news, Shell. :D

[mikus]

he's very old isn't he?
it's unusual that a hockey player plays that good in that age. :spin:
cool thing, but i think this will be really his last season :sick:

[mikus]

he's very old isn't he?
it's unusual that a hockey player plays that good in that age. :spin:
cool thing, but i think this will be really his last season :sick:

[Shell]

He turned 40 in March, which is older considering the physical abuse hockey players have to take.. but he is in EXCELLENT shape and really keeps himself fit.

Plenty of players have surpassed 40 and had an excellent year.

It may be his last, but I am glad he'll be here. :spin: He'll work for our organIzation once he retires as well.

Here is an article about why age is less of a factor anymore if you are interested.. Age Becoming Less a Factor in NHL (http://www.lef.org/newsarchive/aging/2001/10/04/DTNS/0000-9409-KEYWORD.Missing.html)

Also, remember Larionov? He's the one who finally scored against us in that 3 OT game in the finals last year. He's 42, and wants to play with the Wings again next year. More power to him!

[Shell]

He turned 40 in March, which is older considering the physical abuse hockey players have to take.. but he is in EXCELLENT shape and really keeps himself fit.

Plenty of players have surpassed 40 and had an excellent year.

It may be his last, but I am glad he'll be here. :spin: He'll work for our organIzation once he retires as well.

Here is an article about why age is less of a factor anymore if you are interested.. Age Becoming Less a Factor in NHL (http://www.lef.org/newsarchive/aging/2001/10/04/DTNS/0000-9409-KEYWORD.Missing.html)

Also, remember Larionov? He's the one who finally scored against us in that 3 OT game in the finals last year. He's 42, and wants to play with the Wings again next year. More power to him!

[Guyute]

certainly he's pushing the envelope for a hockey player, yes. but very old generally speaking? no....

a lot of people here wouldn't say that 40 is "very old". watch your manners young man. ;) :D

[Guyute]

certainly he's pushing the envelope for a hockey player, yes. but very old generally speaking? no....

a lot of people here wouldn't say that 40 is "very old". watch your manners young man. ;) :D

[talkingcanes]

a lot of people here wouldn't say that 40 is "very old". watch your manners young man. ;) :D


hear, hear.......... ;)

[talkingcanes]

a lot of people here wouldn't say that 40 is "very old". watch your manners young man. ;) :D


hear, hear.......... ;)

[Guyute]

I have to say that... I'm hitting a decade mark myself this year. :eek:

lol

[Guyute]

I have to say that... I'm hitting a decade mark myself this year. :eek:

lol

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[nccanes]

I have to say that... I'm hitting a decade mark myself this year. :eek:

lol

Pffft. "a decade mark". If only I had that "decade mark" back. As I've said before, Ronnie's the only Cane older than me, so guess which "decade mark" (that's going to be burned into my brain now) I'll hit this year!? :p :D ;)

[nccanes]

I have to say that... I'm hitting a decade mark myself this year. :eek:

lol

Pffft. "a decade mark". If only I had that "decade mark" back. As I've said before, Ronnie's the only Cane older than me, so guess which "decade mark" (that's going to be burned into my brain now) I'll hit this year!? :p :D ;)

[Guyute]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe

[Guyute]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe

[talkingcanes]

Pffft. "a decade mark". If only I had that "decade mark" back. As I've said before, Ronnie's the only Cane older than me, so guess which "decade mark" (that's going to be burned into my brain now) I'll hit this year!? :p :D ;)


it's a piece of cake :D ;)

[talkingcanes]

Pffft. "a decade mark". If only I had that "decade mark" back. As I've said before, Ronnie's the only Cane older than me, so guess which "decade mark" (that's going to be burned into my brain now) I'll hit this year!? :p :D ;)


it's a piece of cake :D ;)

[nccanes]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe


hehehe indeed.

Good one Guyute - LOL! http://websmileys.bei.t-online.de/div289.gif

[nccanes]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe


hehehe indeed.

Good one Guyute - LOL! http://websmileys.bei.t-online.de/div289.gif

[Jeff O Rocks]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe

Stop guyute..before you get me fired....I hollered when I read your response...you are so bad!! :D ;)

[Jeff O Rocks]

oh, stop whining ya old windbag.

:kiss:

hehehe

Stop guyute..before you get me fired....I hollered when I read your response...you are so bad!! :D ;)

[Alicia]

Good for Ronnie! Glad to see that some time off didn't affect his perspective or decision to stay. :D :cool:

[Alicia]

Good for Ronnie! Glad to see that some time off didn't affect his perspective or decision to stay. :D :cool:

[AbNormal27]

YEAH! Great to hear! Hey, if he can contribute year in and year out the way he does, who cares how old he is? Messier and Larionov aren't doing as much as Ron is, they're older and still "contributing" to their teams, so why not another 1 or 2 years for #10?

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

YEAH! Great to hear! Hey, if he can contribute year in and year out the way he does, who cares how old he is? Messier and Larionov aren't doing as much as Ron is, they're older and still "contributing" to their teams, so why not another 1 or 2 years for #10?

Aaryn

[caniac369]

YIPEE!!!! Hopefully that may also mean the return of the ROB line-

Francis-O'Neill-Bayda!!!!!

[caniac369]

YIPEE!!!! Hopefully that may also mean the return of the ROB line-

Francis-O'Neill-Bayda!!!!!

[Shell]

YIPEE!!!! Hopefully that may also mean the return of the ROB line-

Francis-O'Neill-Bayda!!!!!

Only problem with that is, it may confuse out of town broadcasters.. they already call him Bob and all :roll:

How about the Orb line? heh The 5th definition of 'orb' is An eye or eyeball so we can force it to fit ;)
(http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=orb)

[Shell]

YIPEE!!!! Hopefully that may also mean the return of the ROB line-

Francis-O'Neill-Bayda!!!!!

Only problem with that is, it may confuse out of town broadcasters.. they already call him Bob and all :roll:

How about the Orb line? heh The 5th definition of 'orb' is An eye or eyeball so we can force it to fit ;)
(http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=orb)

[Turbulence]

Good news, good news.
I never thought he'd retire after the horrible season 02-03 was....but I'm glad that it's confirmed. I'm sure he'll contribute much next year.

Go #10!

[Turbulence]

Good news, good news.
I never thought he'd retire after the horrible season 02-03 was....but I'm glad that it's confirmed. I'm sure he'll contribute much next year.

Go #10!

[nccanes]

Only problem with that is, it may confuse out of town broadcasters.. they already call him Bob and all :roll:


I thought that confusion was due to the fact that the Coyotes coach is Bob Francis....

You can call me Ron or you can call me Bob, just make sure #10 has his butt on the ice next season! ;)

[nccanes]

Only problem with that is, it may confuse out of town broadcasters.. they already call him Bob and all :roll:


I thought that confusion was due to the fact that the Coyotes coach is Bob Francis....

You can call me Ron or you can call me Bob, just make sure #10 has his butt on the ice next season! ;)

[Stormbringer]

Speaking of Ronnie, somebody at CH.com posted this link to an awesome story related to his great work over at Duke Hospital...

http://www.gameworn.net/cgi-bin/GW/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=009697

:angel:

[Stormbringer]

Speaking of Ronnie, somebody at CH.com posted this link to an awesome story related to his great work over at Duke Hospital...

http://www.gameworn.net/cgi-bin/GW/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=009697

:angel: