N&O Article Today

[Mona]

Canes aim for top

Luke DeCock, Staff Writer

Justin Williams sits in the far corner of the Carolina Hurricanes' locker room, a long way from the whiteboard displaying the Eastern Conference standings. Still, he can't stop staring. The Philadelphia Flyers are on top with 60 points. The Ottawa Senators are second with 59. And the Hurricanes are third with 58, where no one but the Hurricanes themselves thought they would be at the conclusion of the first half of the season.
"I can't take my eyes off that," Williams said. "I want to be at the top. At the halfway point, we've been quite successful. I don't see us going anywhere but up."

Saturday's 3-0 win over the New York Islanders was the halfway point of Carolina's season, the 41st game on the Hurricanes' schedule. The Detroit Red Wings visit tonight to begin Carolina's second half, one of only three teams with more points than the Canes. It's rarefied air for the franchise, but it isn't a fluke, either.

Between the new attitude instilled by coach Peter Laviolette, the emergence of young stars and tremendous efforts from key veterans, the Canes' record of 27-10-4 is the best in franchise history and good for a 12-point lead in the Southeast Division.

"It seems like the year has gone by really fast," the Hurricanes' Erik Cole said. "Maybe it's just because we've been enjoying it. We've been winning and it's been fun. In the past couple seasons we haven't been winning -- it was miserable, and that tends to wear on you on a day-to-day basis. I don't get that feeling at all this year.
"We're in a great spot to make a good push here and a good second half and head into the playoffs. I think it's not too early to have that on our minds, to know exactly what we have in front of us."

FIVE REASONS WHY CANES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL

No. 1 - team-building

One of Peter Laviolette's goals in his first training camp as Canes coach was to erase any lingering memories of past seasons and mold the newcomers -- 10 ended up on the opening 23-man roster -- and holdovers into a coherent group. There were field trips and meals and meetings, all under the generic new-age rubric of "team-building."

The success of that effort can be seen in just about everything the Canes have done right this season: Their string of two-goal comebacks and their franchise-record nine-game winning streak early on; the way they weathered a difficult stretch in late November and early December to win 11 of their past 15; the NHL's best home record (17-4-1).

"From Day One, we've felt like we have a really good group of guys," Hurricanes forward Erik Cole said. "We had the inner confidence as a team to do the things that we've done."

No. 2 - The later, the better

The Canes have outscored opponents 57-38 in the third period, when their conditioning and style of play combine in impressive fashion. They apply pressure for two periods, then have the legs to capitalize when their foes wilt.

"Going into the third period tied, we feel we're going to win the game every time," said Justin Williams, who leads the Canes with 11 third-period goals. "We come out with that enthusiasm, that desire -- that swagger."

It's been a strength so far but also is a potential pitfall. The Canes have had a nasty habit of falling behind early, and their reliance on three lines puts pressure on teams but risks wearing down the Canes as the season wears on. February's Olympic break should help mitigate that.

No. 3 - Sharing the scoring load

Teams talk about scoring balance, where there are threats coming from all directions. With the Canes, it's a little different. They may not get a goal from each of their top three lines every night, but they can usually count on someone coming through.

Eric Staal shouldered the offensive load in October; Justin Williams in November; Rod Brind'Amour in December; Cory Stillman so far in January. While someone may be slumping, there's enough offense elsewhere to make up for it. It's a big change for the NHL's lowest-scoring team two seasons running.

Staal already has 26 goals; five other players are on pace to crack 20. The Canes haven't had more than five 20-goal scorers since a franchise-record eight in 1986-87.

No. 4 The captain and the kid

It's hard to figure whose season has been more impressive: Eric Staal realizing his considerable promise at age 21 or Rod Brind'Amour's renaissance at age 35.

"I don't think at the halfway point I would have imagined myself scoring 26 goals, but we started off hot and have continued to play well," Staal said. "When that happens, individuals will have some success and I'm lucky enough to be one of them."

At a point in his career where he was thought of largely as a defensive center, Brind'Amour has become Carolina's go-to scorer on the power play and has 13 goals, second in the NHL to Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk.

"My five-on-five game, I don't have to worry about scoring too much and I can just go and play because I know I'm going to get opportunities on the power play," Brind'Amour said. "You're not forcing it in other areas. It definitely helps."

That confidence has flowed through the rest of his game. With 36 points, he is on pace for his best offensive season in seven years.

No. 5 Always in it, every night

The Hurricanes have learned never to count themselves out.

They're 12-10-4 when tied or trailing after two periods. Their longest losing streak is three games.

That attitude is a smaller part of a larger change in the dressing room. For years, this franchise's philosophy has been to make the playoffs any way it can, believing that once you're in the playoffs anything can happen -- and did in 2002.

Laviolette demands more ambition. He has the players believing they can beat anyone on any night, and that no other team has any better chance at the Stanley Cup.

"With the team we have in here and the way we've been playing," Williams said, "we expect to win every game."

and FYI... Brindy's picture is on the Ticketmaster homepage today.. or at least it was when I went there. :spin:

[Mona]

Canes aim for top

Luke DeCock, Staff Writer

Justin Williams sits in the far corner of the Carolina Hurricanes' locker room, a long way from the whiteboard displaying the Eastern Conference standings. Still, he can't stop staring. The Philadelphia Flyers are on top with 60 points. The Ottawa Senators are second with 59. And the Hurricanes are third with 58, where no one but the Hurricanes themselves thought they would be at the conclusion of the first half of the season.
"I can't take my eyes off that," Williams said. "I want to be at the top. At the halfway point, we've been quite successful. I don't see us going anywhere but up."

Saturday's 3-0 win over the New York Islanders was the halfway point of Carolina's season, the 41st game on the Hurricanes' schedule. The Detroit Red Wings visit tonight to begin Carolina's second half, one of only three teams with more points than the Canes. It's rarefied air for the franchise, but it isn't a fluke, either.

Between the new attitude instilled by coach Peter Laviolette, the emergence of young stars and tremendous efforts from key veterans, the Canes' record of 27-10-4 is the best in franchise history and good for a 12-point lead in the Southeast Division.

"It seems like the year has gone by really fast," the Hurricanes' Erik Cole said. "Maybe it's just because we've been enjoying it. We've been winning and it's been fun. In the past couple seasons we haven't been winning -- it was miserable, and that tends to wear on you on a day-to-day basis. I don't get that feeling at all this year.
"We're in a great spot to make a good push here and a good second half and head into the playoffs. I think it's not too early to have that on our minds, to know exactly what we have in front of us."

FIVE REASONS WHY CANES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL

No. 1 - team-building

One of Peter Laviolette's goals in his first training camp as Canes coach was to erase any lingering memories of past seasons and mold the newcomers -- 10 ended up on the opening 23-man roster -- and holdovers into a coherent group. There were field trips and meals and meetings, all under the generic new-age rubric of "team-building."

The success of that effort can be seen in just about everything the Canes have done right this season: Their string of two-goal comebacks and their franchise-record nine-game winning streak early on; the way they weathered a difficult stretch in late November and early December to win 11 of their past 15; the NHL's best home record (17-4-1).

"From Day One, we've felt like we have a really good group of guys," Hurricanes forward Erik Cole said. "We had the inner confidence as a team to do the things that we've done."

No. 2 - The later, the better

The Canes have outscored opponents 57-38 in the third period, when their conditioning and style of play combine in impressive fashion. They apply pressure for two periods, then have the legs to capitalize when their foes wilt.

"Going into the third period tied, we feel we're going to win the game every time," said Justin Williams, who leads the Canes with 11 third-period goals. "We come out with that enthusiasm, that desire -- that swagger."

It's been a strength so far but also is a potential pitfall. The Canes have had a nasty habit of falling behind early, and their reliance on three lines puts pressure on teams but risks wearing down the Canes as the season wears on. February's Olympic break should help mitigate that.

No. 3 - Sharing the scoring load

Teams talk about scoring balance, where there are threats coming from all directions. With the Canes, it's a little different. They may not get a goal from each of their top three lines every night, but they can usually count on someone coming through.

Eric Staal shouldered the offensive load in October; Justin Williams in November; Rod Brind'Amour in December; Cory Stillman so far in January. While someone may be slumping, there's enough offense elsewhere to make up for it. It's a big change for the NHL's lowest-scoring team two seasons running.

Staal already has 26 goals; five other players are on pace to crack 20. The Canes haven't had more than five 20-goal scorers since a franchise-record eight in 1986-87.

No. 4 The captain and the kid

It's hard to figure whose season has been more impressive: Eric Staal realizing his considerable promise at age 21 or Rod Brind'Amour's renaissance at age 35.

"I don't think at the halfway point I would have imagined myself scoring 26 goals, but we started off hot and have continued to play well," Staal said. "When that happens, individuals will have some success and I'm lucky enough to be one of them."

At a point in his career where he was thought of largely as a defensive center, Brind'Amour has become Carolina's go-to scorer on the power play and has 13 goals, second in the NHL to Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk.

"My five-on-five game, I don't have to worry about scoring too much and I can just go and play because I know I'm going to get opportunities on the power play," Brind'Amour said. "You're not forcing it in other areas. It definitely helps."

That confidence has flowed through the rest of his game. With 36 points, he is on pace for his best offensive season in seven years.

No. 5 Always in it, every night

The Hurricanes have learned never to count themselves out.

They're 12-10-4 when tied or trailing after two periods. Their longest losing streak is three games.

That attitude is a smaller part of a larger change in the dressing room. For years, this franchise's philosophy has been to make the playoffs any way it can, believing that once you're in the playoffs anything can happen -- and did in 2002.

Laviolette demands more ambition. He has the players believing they can beat anyone on any night, and that no other team has any better chance at the Stanley Cup.

"With the team we have in here and the way we've been playing," Williams said, "we expect to win every game."

and FYI... Brindy's picture is on the Ticketmaster homepage today.. or at least it was when I went there. :spin:

[nccanes]

I think it's interesting that he didn't mention goaltending and/or the free agent acquisitions as parts of the the keys to their success.

[nccanes]

I think it's interesting that he didn't mention goaltending and/or the free agent acquisitions as parts of the the keys to their success.

[SoCalcaniac]

Decock was just on with Morgan & Joe on 620 AM- he spent the 15 minutes of time expounding on the 5 reasons he outlined in the paper-

He spoke at length about the FA acquisitions, particularly Kaberle and Stillman, talked about how Stillman flew completely under the radar, and that Kaberle was even more undercover, because he was signed after Hill left, and that was just before everything shut down, so nobody even was paying attention. (and he pointed the finger at himself on that too) he spoke about how JR picked people who would really gel with Lavi's system, the personalities already on the team, and so on.

He also spoke in detail on the emergence of The Captain & The Kid- talked about how Rod and Eric have made huge cases for themselves on totally different fronts- Rod, supposedly in the declining years of his career, comes out guns blazing, refreshed and revived, and Staal, the Kid who we all knew would be a star, just not yet, and he broke it wide open.

another lengthy discussion was on the idea by Laviolette to have all of the team building and group activity, Decock and others intially thought of it as touchy, feely crap (his words) but really, all of that served to set the stage for what we have now, an Eastern Conference threat, and Decock went on to say that the team is obviously close, that there isn't one guy who wouldn't do anything for the other, you can see it in practice, in the locker room, on the plane, and of course on the ice. DeCock truly believes it was Laviolette's defining moment and the imprint on this team.

He also touched on the swagger that this team has in the 3rd. Their belief that they can overcome deficits, that they can outgun, out work teams in the end, and that their conditioning is so superior that they do wear the opponent down.

He also spoke about the National aspect of this game- and how to hear the guys talk, it's just another game, but the feel in the room is also that they have an opportunity to showcase what this team is all about in a national sort of way- and how TSN is also picking up the OLN feed, etc. The importance of the game is not lost on this team.

As has always been the case when I've heard DeCock in interviews, he comes off so much more interesting than his articles- and shares far more information on the radio than he does in the paper. He should be on with one of these radio stations regularly.

[SoCalcaniac]

Decock was just on with Morgan & Joe on 620 AM- he spent the 15 minutes of time expounding on the 5 reasons he outlined in the paper-

He spoke at length about the FA acquisitions, particularly Kaberle and Stillman, talked about how Stillman flew completely under the radar, and that Kaberle was even more undercover, because he was signed after Hill left, and that was just before everything shut down, so nobody even was paying attention. (and he pointed the finger at himself on that too) he spoke about how JR picked people who would really gel with Lavi's system, the personalities already on the team, and so on.

He also spoke in detail on the emergence of The Captain & The Kid- talked about how Rod and Eric have made huge cases for themselves on totally different fronts- Rod, supposedly in the declining years of his career, comes out guns blazing, refreshed and revived, and Staal, the Kid who we all knew would be a star, just not yet, and he broke it wide open.

another lengthy discussion was on the idea by Laviolette to have all of the team building and group activity, Decock and others intially thought of it as touchy, feely crap (his words) but really, all of that served to set the stage for what we have now, an Eastern Conference threat, and Decock went on to say that the team is obviously close, that there isn't one guy who wouldn't do anything for the other, you can see it in practice, in the locker room, on the plane, and of course on the ice. DeCock truly believes it was Laviolette's defining moment and the imprint on this team.

He also touched on the swagger that this team has in the 3rd. Their belief that they can overcome deficits, that they can outgun, out work teams in the end, and that their conditioning is so superior that they do wear the opponent down.

He also spoke about the National aspect of this game- and how to hear the guys talk, it's just another game, but the feel in the room is also that they have an opportunity to showcase what this team is all about in a national sort of way- and how TSN is also picking up the OLN feed, etc. The importance of the game is not lost on this team.

As has always been the case when I've heard DeCock in interviews, he comes off so much more interesting than his articles- and shares far more information on the radio than he does in the paper. He should be on with one of these radio stations regularly.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

[Alicia]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

He's too forward-thinking & confident not to mention it! :smoke:

[Alicia]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

He's too forward-thinking & confident not to mention it! :smoke:

[StormShaman]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

Amen!

[StormShaman]

No!!! PL said the no no words this early in the season!!! DO NOT MENTION THE CUP!!!

:D :D :D

Amen!

[Mona]

New one.. we need to keep PL under lock and key!! :sad:

Canes coach focuses on now
Peter Laviolette's contract is up after this season, and Carolina could face stiff competition to keep him

Coach Peter Laviolette, who says he's very happy in Carolina, has the Canes pointed in the right direction.

Luke DeCock, Staff Writer

Peter Laviolette's old job is open again. The job he wanted five years ago may be open again soon. And his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes is up at the end of the season.
But Laviolette and Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos said Thursday they feel no urgency to discuss an extension to the contract Laviolette signed in December 2003 when he took over for Paul Maurice.

Laviolette, asked about his contract, said he's concentrating on this season.

"I'm very happy here," Laviolette said. "We've got a great team and some great young players. [The contract] just hasn't come up."

Laviolette said he and Canes general manager Jim Rutherford "have a great relationship and our goal is the same, to get this team to the Stanley Cup."

Laviolette, 41, has embraced the Hurricanes job, transplanting his wife and three children to the Triangle and adopting it as their home.

But having been fired from one NHL position already, he also knows job security only goes so far as the next paycheck. And unlike Maurice -- whose contract renegotiations in 2002 took less than a day -- he wasn't raised as a member of the Karmanos hockey family.

Karmanos acknowledged that without a new contract, the Canes could face stiff competition to retain Laviolette in the offseason -- particularly if the U.S. Olympic team coached by Laviolette is as impressive as the Canes have been this season. After all, there's no salary cap on coaches.

"I'm always concerned about that," Karmanos said. "We hopefully have a good enough relationship that we'd have the right of first refusal. And we do have that kind of relationship with most of the people in the organization. Peter's done a yeoman job."

The New York Islanders fired Steve Stirling, who replaced Laviolette after the 2002-03 season, and named Brad Shaw interim coach for the rest of the season Thursday. General manager Mike Milbury will step down after the season. Milbury had fired Laviolette because he was concerned the team had lost confidence in the coach.

But no matter who the emperor turns out to be, Laviolette has won the mob. The Islanders fans never wanted him fired in the first place and chanted his name when the Canes swept a home-and-home with the Isles last weekend.

Boston Bruins coach Mike Sullivan may be the next coach to go.

Laviolette, a native of Franklin, Mass., and former Bruins assistant, was interested in the Boston job in the spring of 2001 and had the support of many Boston players. But he was passed over for Robbie Ftorek and ended up leading the Islanders to their first playoff appearance in eight years the next season.

From his perspective, Karmanos said he has been thrilled with the up-tempo, attacking style Laviolette has adopted and the way he has fashioned the team's new identity more or less from scratch.

And there is no arguing with the results. Picked to finish last or second-to-last in the Eastern Conference by many in the national media, the Canes are two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the NHL's overall lead.

"We were one of the first teams to understand the implications of the rule changes from a penalty point of view and a play-on-the-ice point of view," Karmanos said. "Peter has done a great job of team-building, a great job of understanding what it takes to get all the different personalities on the team together. I think he should be coach of the year."

If the Canes continue to play like this, why wouldn't he be?

"Unfortunately, the Canadians always reserve that for one of their own and one of the things to remember about Peter is he's American-born," Karmanos said. "That makes the job a little tougher.

"There's a whole group of guys, coaches and GMs, who think they are the elite and know better."

The good news for Laviolette's chances is that the Jack Adams Award that goes to the NHL's coach of the year is selected by the NHL Broadcasters' Association, whose president is the Canes' own Chuck Kaiton. In 2004, they voted for Massachusetts-born John Tortorella, who led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup.

[Mona]

New one.. we need to keep PL under lock and key!! :sad:

Canes coach focuses on now
Peter Laviolette's contract is up after this season, and Carolina could face stiff competition to keep him

Coach Peter Laviolette, who says he's very happy in Carolina, has the Canes pointed in the right direction.

Luke DeCock, Staff Writer

Peter Laviolette's old job is open again. The job he wanted five years ago may be open again soon. And his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes is up at the end of the season.
But Laviolette and Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos said Thursday they feel no urgency to discuss an extension to the contract Laviolette signed in December 2003 when he took over for Paul Maurice.

Laviolette, asked about his contract, said he's concentrating on this season.

"I'm very happy here," Laviolette said. "We've got a great team and some great young players. [The contract] just hasn't come up."

Laviolette said he and Canes general manager Jim Rutherford "have a great relationship and our goal is the same, to get this team to the Stanley Cup."

Laviolette, 41, has embraced the Hurricanes job, transplanting his wife and three children to the Triangle and adopting it as their home.

But having been fired from one NHL position already, he also knows job security only goes so far as the next paycheck. And unlike Maurice -- whose contract renegotiations in 2002 took less than a day -- he wasn't raised as a member of the Karmanos hockey family.

Karmanos acknowledged that without a new contract, the Canes could face stiff competition to retain Laviolette in the offseason -- particularly if the U.S. Olympic team coached by Laviolette is as impressive as the Canes have been this season. After all, there's no salary cap on coaches.

"I'm always concerned about that," Karmanos said. "We hopefully have a good enough relationship that we'd have the right of first refusal. And we do have that kind of relationship with most of the people in the organization. Peter's done a yeoman job."

The New York Islanders fired Steve Stirling, who replaced Laviolette after the 2002-03 season, and named Brad Shaw interim coach for the rest of the season Thursday. General manager Mike Milbury will step down after the season. Milbury had fired Laviolette because he was concerned the team had lost confidence in the coach.

But no matter who the emperor turns out to be, Laviolette has won the mob. The Islanders fans never wanted him fired in the first place and chanted his name when the Canes swept a home-and-home with the Isles last weekend.

Boston Bruins coach Mike Sullivan may be the next coach to go.

Laviolette, a native of Franklin, Mass., and former Bruins assistant, was interested in the Boston job in the spring of 2001 and had the support of many Boston players. But he was passed over for Robbie Ftorek and ended up leading the Islanders to their first playoff appearance in eight years the next season.

From his perspective, Karmanos said he has been thrilled with the up-tempo, attacking style Laviolette has adopted and the way he has fashioned the team's new identity more or less from scratch.

And there is no arguing with the results. Picked to finish last or second-to-last in the Eastern Conference by many in the national media, the Canes are two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the NHL's overall lead.

"We were one of the first teams to understand the implications of the rule changes from a penalty point of view and a play-on-the-ice point of view," Karmanos said. "Peter has done a great job of team-building, a great job of understanding what it takes to get all the different personalities on the team together. I think he should be coach of the year."

If the Canes continue to play like this, why wouldn't he be?

"Unfortunately, the Canadians always reserve that for one of their own and one of the things to remember about Peter is he's American-born," Karmanos said. "That makes the job a little tougher.

"There's a whole group of guys, coaches and GMs, who think they are the elite and know better."

The good news for Laviolette's chances is that the Jack Adams Award that goes to the NHL's coach of the year is selected by the NHL Broadcasters' Association, whose president is the Canes' own Chuck Kaiton. In 2004, they voted for Massachusetts-born John Tortorella, who led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup.

[corylav]

I don't see him going anywhere. For one, he saw how things out of your control (the NYI primadonnas) can end your tenure somewhere. Why give up something that seems to be working so well on and off the ice? Second, this org has payed their coaches when it was warranted, and I'm sure PK will take care of Peter following the season. If Lavi feels tempted to go elsewhere — or the org isn't willing to ante up — both just need to look at the Sonics and Nate McMillan. They couldn't come to terms after last year, and now the Sonics are in the tank and Nate's stuck in Portland, rolling in the dough but surely not as happy as he was with the Soncis' success.

[corylav]

I don't see him going anywhere. For one, he saw how things out of your control (the NYI primadonnas) can end your tenure somewhere. Why give up something that seems to be working so well on and off the ice? Second, this org has payed their coaches when it was warranted, and I'm sure PK will take care of Peter following the season. If Lavi feels tempted to go elsewhere — or the org isn't willing to ante up — both just need to look at the Sonics and Nate McMillan. They couldn't come to terms after last year, and now the Sonics are in the tank and Nate's stuck in Portland, rolling in the dough but surely not as happy as he was with the Soncis' success.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I'm not worried about him going back the the island, but i do worry about Boston. I wish we would extend his contract now, rather than negotiate later.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I'm not worried about him going back the the island, but i do worry about Boston. I wish we would extend his contract now, rather than negotiate later.

[nccanes]

I thought that was a void in the article - presumably there is a reason that either or both sides would want to wait, but no reason was given - nor suggested as to why they would wait. Or did I miss that?

I'm sure Boston's pull would be greater than the Isles, but the ownership/mgmt issues are there too. Despite what fans think about the Canes org and ownership as fans, it does seem like the players and staff (current and former) feel appreciated and treated well. Hopefully that works to our advantage in times like this.

[nccanes]

I thought that was a void in the article - presumably there is a reason that either or both sides would want to wait, but no reason was given - nor suggested as to why they would wait. Or did I miss that?

I'm sure Boston's pull would be greater than the Isles, but the ownership/mgmt issues are there too. Despite what fans think about the Canes org and ownership as fans, it does seem like the players and staff (current and former) feel appreciated and treated well. Hopefully that works to our advantage in times like this.

[corylav]

I thought that was a void in the article - presumably there is a reason that either or both sides would want to wait, but no reason was given - nor suggested as to why they would wait. Or did I miss that?

I'm sure Boston's pull would be greater than the Isles, but the ownership/mgmt issues are there too. Despite what fans think about the Canes org and ownership as fans, it does seem like the players and staff (current and former) feel appreciated and treated well. Hopefully that works to our advantage in times like this.

And the "great place to raise a family" card is certainly a plus ... not to mention Lavi uprooting his family would seem a strange move.

[corylav]

I thought that was a void in the article - presumably there is a reason that either or both sides would want to wait, but no reason was given - nor suggested as to why they would wait. Or did I miss that?

I'm sure Boston's pull would be greater than the Isles, but the ownership/mgmt issues are there too. Despite what fans think about the Canes org and ownership as fans, it does seem like the players and staff (current and former) feel appreciated and treated well. Hopefully that works to our advantage in times like this.

And the "great place to raise a family" card is certainly a plus ... not to mention Lavi uprooting his family would seem a strange move.

[e2ipiand1]

I don't think Laviolette is going anywhere. PK is the kind of owner who will always supply you with the kind of players you need in order to win.

I'll bet they have a gentleman's agreement on this one with the pay to be determined later.

[e2ipiand1]

I don't think Laviolette is going anywhere. PK is the kind of owner who will always supply you with the kind of players you need in order to win.

I'll bet they have a gentleman's agreement on this one with the pay to be determined later.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I hope PL stays also. If he does leave...there are still lots of great coaches out there. Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I hope PL stays also. If he does leave...there are still lots of great coaches out there. Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

[Shell]

Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

I have to respectfully disagree. Seeing the night and day between our last 2 coaches cements it for me.. I like the aggressive, attack, play to win attitude that Lavi has instead of all defense, playing not to lose, etc. I want Lavi here for a long time!

[Shell]

Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

I have to respectfully disagree. Seeing the night and day between our last 2 coaches cements it for me.. I like the aggressive, attack, play to win attitude that Lavi has instead of all defense, playing not to lose, etc. I want Lavi here for a long time!

[Alicia]

Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

I have to respectfully disagree. Seeing the night and day between our last 2 coaches cements it for me.. I like the aggressive, attack, play to win attitude that Lavi has instead of all defense, playing not to lose, etc. I want Lavi here for a long time!

Same here!

[Alicia]

Let's not forget, it's the players on the ice who determine 75% of the game.

I have to respectfully disagree. Seeing the night and day between our last 2 coaches cements it for me.. I like the aggressive, attack, play to win attitude that Lavi has instead of all defense, playing not to lose, etc. I want Lavi here for a long time!

Same here!

[puck_it]

i like the whole winning thing Laviollete has been doing :)

[puck_it]

i like the whole winning thing Laviollete has been doing :)

[corylav]

Related to the above N&O article about Lavi's contract. Methinks the Isles are living in a dreamworld. From Newsday:

Could Laviolette return to Isles?

If Weisbrod becomes next GM, Wang might also attempt to lure Laviolette back as coach

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

January 19, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Islanders owner Charles Wang has said he would consider several different variations of the general manager and head coaching positions he will fill for next season, including having "a GM that is a coach and responsible for player personnel also ... I think this depends on the candidates that we talk to."

One candidate who is believed to have already made contact with the Islanders is Syosset native John Weisbrod, who is currently a Northeast-based pro scout for the Dallas Stars. The 37-year-old worked under Lou Lamoriello in the Devils' minor-league system before moving through the sports executive ranks to become GM of the Orlando Magic in 2004-05. Weisbrod left the Magic last spring to return to hockey and now he's on everyone's radar in the NHL.

Weisbrod not only has a connection to Lamoriello, which is enough of a resume-booster, but also has close ties to Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette. And, according to several persons with knowledge of the situation, that is the foundation of a second dream scenario for the Islanders. If Steve Tambellini and Brent Sutter don't work out as a GM/coach tandem, another option is Weisbrod as GM and Laviolette possibly being lured back to Long Island as coach and director of player personnel.

Laviolette, who was fired by the Islanders in May 2003, is under contract with Carolina through the end of the season. He has the Hurricanes (31-10-4) atop the NHL going into Thursday night's game here against the Islanders. He's also the head coach of Team USA in the upcoming Winter Games.

If he enters the offseason without a contract, he will be highly sought after by more than just the Islanders. The Boston Bruins, with whom Laviolette was an assistant, might also be in the market for a coach by then. Coach Mike Sullivan's status is said to be tenuous.

Laviolette did not return a call Wednesday and recently said he was "very happy [in Carolina]" in a story in the Raleigh News & Observer. Carolina owner Peter Karmanos addressed the situation.

"We hopefully have a good enough relationship that we'd have the right of first refusal," Karmanos told the paper. "Peter's done a yeoman job . . . I think he should be coach of the year."

That might only raise his value.

[corylav]

Related to the above N&O article about Lavi's contract. Methinks the Isles are living in a dreamworld. From Newsday:

Could Laviolette return to Isles?

If Weisbrod becomes next GM, Wang might also attempt to lure Laviolette back as coach

BY ALAN HAHN
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

January 19, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Islanders owner Charles Wang has said he would consider several different variations of the general manager and head coaching positions he will fill for next season, including having "a GM that is a coach and responsible for player personnel also ... I think this depends on the candidates that we talk to."

One candidate who is believed to have already made contact with the Islanders is Syosset native John Weisbrod, who is currently a Northeast-based pro scout for the Dallas Stars. The 37-year-old worked under Lou Lamoriello in the Devils' minor-league system before moving through the sports executive ranks to become GM of the Orlando Magic in 2004-05. Weisbrod left the Magic last spring to return to hockey and now he's on everyone's radar in the NHL.

Weisbrod not only has a connection to Lamoriello, which is enough of a resume-booster, but also has close ties to Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette. And, according to several persons with knowledge of the situation, that is the foundation of a second dream scenario for the Islanders. If Steve Tambellini and Brent Sutter don't work out as a GM/coach tandem, another option is Weisbrod as GM and Laviolette possibly being lured back to Long Island as coach and director of player personnel.

Laviolette, who was fired by the Islanders in May 2003, is under contract with Carolina through the end of the season. He has the Hurricanes (31-10-4) atop the NHL going into Thursday night's game here against the Islanders. He's also the head coach of Team USA in the upcoming Winter Games.

If he enters the offseason without a contract, he will be highly sought after by more than just the Islanders. The Boston Bruins, with whom Laviolette was an assistant, might also be in the market for a coach by then. Coach Mike Sullivan's status is said to be tenuous.

Laviolette did not return a call Wednesday and recently said he was "very happy [in Carolina]" in a story in the Raleigh News & Observer. Carolina owner Peter Karmanos addressed the situation.

"We hopefully have a good enough relationship that we'd have the right of first refusal," Karmanos told the paper. "Peter's done a yeoman job . . . I think he should be coach of the year."

That might only raise his value.