No room in Lowell for Irbe

[folgersnyourcup]

This is getting a bit depressing. 850 The Buzz announced there is no room in Lowell for Irbe with it being shared with the Flames and that he has now been demoted to the ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, the Florida Everblades.

I suppose I will get to see Irbe play against the Charlotte Checkers next year when the Everblades come to town but this is just sad. One year ago to the day, he was in the Stanley Cup Finals.

That was obviously his last shot at a cup. :(

Things just seem to keep going downhill for the little guy.

[StormShaman]

Dear lord, this is getting ridiculous.

[Tatfever]

As much as I loved watching Irbe in Lowell last year, I can understand this move. They have two young players in goal with Zepp and Petruk. One of them should be here next year.
I was hoping to see both, but with Calgary being here next year, that ruins that.

[Guyute]

yeah, they really can't stop the advancement of young kids because Irbe didn't want to rework his contract. It is crazy to think of him going to the ECHL, but much better than sending our prospects back down there.

Congrats though Irbe... The Highest Paid ECHL'er in the History of the League/Sport. :roll:

but at least he's making his money right? another :roll:

[RIO]

ah, Arch...... :sad: *shakes head sadly* If he gets demoted any further, he's going to wind up right on the equator..... I wonder if it's ever occured to him to just STOP... cut his losses... make the struggle END....

[Captain Slack]

ah, Arch...... :sad: *shakes head sadly* If he gets demoted any further, he's going to wind up right on the equator..... I wonder if it's ever occured to him to just STOP... cut his losses... make the struggle END....

Hopefully he's thinking about that now. :sad:

[Turbulence]

We'll find some way to get rid of him for sure...I really doubt we'll see Irbe as a Blade next year...whether or not some unlucky team trades for him or we buy out his contract. But we can't let him play in the ECHL...he's taking up spots our youngsters need. (By the way...anyone know when we'll be able to see Cam Ward in a Blades/Monsters jersey? He isn't under contract, is he?)

[nccanes]

I didn't get a chance to read the paper until just little bit ago and saw the N&O article. Looks like JR is putting the screws to the agent to get some sort of resolution.

Irbe odd man out in Canes' goalie plan


By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer


When the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to share their minor league affiliate in Lowell, Mass., with the Calgary Flames, there was another repercussion.

With the Flames assigning a goalie to the Lowell Lock Monsters, and the Canes wanting one of their top prospects playing in the AHL as well, one-time Carolina workhorse Arturs Irbe is ticketed for the ECHL or somewhere else in the low minors next season.

The Canes plan to keep Kevin Weekes and Patrick DesRochers in Carolina and either Randy Petruk or Rob Zepp in Lowell. That leaves no space for Irbe with either team, which Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said he conveyed to Irbe's agent, Paul Theofanus, in a meeting last week.

In that meeting, Rutherford encouraged Theofanus to discuss Irbe's contract with other teams to make it easier to trade Irbe, 36. Irbe, who cleared waivers in March, fell all the way from the Stanley Cup finals to the AHL while posting his worst numbers in seven seasons -- a 3.18 goals-against average and .877 save percentage.

Irbe is scheduled to make $2.7 million next season and $2.5 million in 2004-05. The Canes are loath to buy out his contract -- which would cost a lump-sum $3.467 million -- because of the possibility the NHL will shut down because of labor trouble in 2004-05.

"We discussed some guidelines in respect to 'Archie' as to how that may work," Rutherford said, "as to whether he'll go to another NHL team, stay in our organization or there's a way to make him a free agent."

Rutherford said he also discussed a new, one-year contract for Weekes with Theofanus, who represents both goalies. Weekes is a restricted free agent. Another meeting is planned for next week.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I have my doubts that he will even come back to the U.S. :roll: What happens to his salary if indeed he doesn't return??

[talkingcanes]

I have my doubts that he will even come back to the U.S. :roll: What happens to his salary if indeed he doesn't return??

I think he has to play where assigned to get paid. If he decides to retire, I don't know if there is any payout for that. I guess he has to decide how important that money is to him if no NHL team is interested. Does he want to finish his career as a minor league player? I'm sure he and his family have tough decisions to make.

[Kat]

I believe that if a NHL player goes to play in Europe, that he automatically voids his NHL contract. Anyone have any info on that?

-Kat

[mikus]

that's preddy shiddy...

i've read an interview with a latvian ex hockey goalie, who was the number one goalie for dynamo riga before irbe became the number one goalie...
he is now the goalie coach (dunno who it is called) for the national team...

well, in the interview he said, that irbe's goalie coach in carolina wanted to force him to change his style a bit...
according to him, this could be the reason why irbe got worse...

i don't say that i hold this goalie coach responsible for everything what happened...

just thought it could be interesting for ya

[Jeff O Rocks]

well, in the interview he said, that irbe's goalie coach in carolina wanted to force him to change his style a bit...
according to him, this could be the reason why irbe got worse...

i don't say that i hold this goalie coach responsible for everything what happened...

just thought it could be interesting for ya

That is interesting...I haven't heard anything about that...but the goalie coach (Don Edwards) is not around much..in fact, I think his official title is Goalie Consultant or something along those lines...he wasn't at most of the practices....seemed to be just towards the end of the season.. :roll:

[Stormbringer]

That is interesting...I haven't heard anything about that...but the goalie coach (Don Edwards) is not around much..in fact, I think his official title is Goalie Consultant or something along those lines...he wasn't at most of the practices....seemed to be just towards the end of the season.. :roll:

According to CH.com, Don Edwards is indeed the goaltending consultant. And the only practice I can recall seeing Mr. Edwards at was the February 20th practice at the RBC, which DesRochers was attending and not Irbe (He was at Lowell then). I'll never forget Mr. Edwards...I think he stared at my goalie mask more than most of the players and Coach Mo. But then since he of course used to be a goalie, he probably found it cool... ;)

[VandyCane]

That does bring up some interesting points regarding our coaching of goalies (or lack thereof). In reading about J.S. Guiguere and how much time he spent practicing with his goalie coach, I wondered what our equivalent was. I have heard Maurice state that he really doesn't get involved with the goalies and that it was someone else's department. I remember thinking during our goalie controversies that maybe he should have become more involved, at least on a motivational or psychological level. He seemed very hands off on the whole goalie situation. I find it interesting that our team is this way, especially given the fact that Rutherford is a former goalie. I think DesRochers has potential, but I think a formal goalie coach would seem like a good investment.