LetsGoCanes.com

Much has gone on with the Canes to start the new year; the team has been going in a very positive direction, but here we are closing in on the NHL Trade Deadline. Much is being speculated about what happens next, here on the boards,  there are plenty of people and pundits who will weigh in on what will happen at the deadline. We don't know yet if GM Jim Rutherford will opt to trade Tuomo Ruutu, or if an extension like Tim Gleason's is in the works. Ruutu now sidelined with an upper body injury after the game in Montreal, is still being looked at as a hot commodity. We'll know more on the injury soon. Other decisions will need to be made before the deadline will the Canes keep Spacek & Allen? Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, the Canes return to the RBC Center to take on a Western Conference opponent and playoff contender, The San Jose Sharks on Friday in what is expected to be a full house. The Canes have been on a long roadie, so it will be good to see the team back on home ice.

As always, come chat with the LGC crew here. Plenty to discuss as we close in on the last 20 or so games of the season!

Canes Upcoming HOME Games:

Friday 2/17  vs San Jose Sharks 7pm

Monday 2/20 vs Washington 7pm

Thursday 2/23 vs Anaheim 7pm

Saturday 2/25 vs Florida 7pm

Tuesday 2/28 vs Nashville 7pm

Player Appearances Around the Triangle:

Head  to Backyard Bistro on Wednesday 2/15 at 7pm for Canes Corner w/Tim Gleason as special guest.

Also, Justin Faulk will participate in the Paper Hearts Campaign and appear at Carolina Ale House in Cary, PHC is a Kids & Community annual fundraiser, he'll be there from 5:30 to 6:30pm

See you around the rink Caniacs!

It's a New Year and the Canes are trying to put the 2011 part of this season behind them. After a mixed start to 2012, the New Year's Eve loss in Tampa, and losing the lead against the Islanders with a 1:30 left on Tuesday night and ultimately losing in the shootout, the Canes have had a couple of days to work on some of the fundamentals that Coach Muller is looking for from all of them. Notes from Canes practice: Jokinen & Ruutu practiced with Staal on Thursday. Look for Coach Kirk to continue to tweak the lineup.

The Canes take on Buffalo on Friday night at the RBC, then hit the road to Nashville for a Saturday night Western Conference game.

Meanwhile some Canes news and notes:

Jeff Skinner returned to practice in a non contact yellow jersey. He's not ready to return to the lineup quite yet, but it's a good step forward for young Skinner.

Zac Dalpe and Derek Joslin have been assigned to Charlotte; Joslin accepted a conditioning assignment in order to get sent down. Dalpe was the emergency call up for Patrick Dwyer who also returned to practice in non contact yellow, but is not yet ready to return to game action.

Meanwhile, Brett Sutter has been recalled from the Checkers and will be in Friday's lineup vs Buffalo.

Another player note- Joni Pitkanen, still recovering from his concussion, had knee surgery this week; he's expected to have a 4 week recovery time on the surgery.

Meanwhile, much chatter about trades and players who could be on the move all around the league. Chat here in the forums.

Next week's games: vs PHI on 1/10, @ TBL on 1/12 and the Stanley Cup Champion Bruins on Saturday 1/14. Yep, no easy games.

See you at the rink Caniacs!

We're right in the thick of the holiday season, and there is plenty going on; Much going on in addition to two home games this week:

• Canes vs Phoenix 7pm RBC Center 12/21  (no TV! Get your tickets) Ray Whitney returns - you know you want to see him! You can also pick up your Canes Holiday Puck - makes a great stocking stuffer and has a very pretty holiday design too.
• Canes vs Ottawa 7pm RBC Center Friday 12/23
• Canes Corner at Backyard Bistro returns and the guest is our Coach Kirk. The event starts at 7pm at Backyard Bistro and steams live on 99.9 the fan. Listen live here
• On Monday 12/19, Canes players will do their annual tour of area hospitals spreading holiday cheer to so many who will be in the hospital during Christmas. Check out the Kids N Community Twitter feed for updates and pictures.

Happy Holidays Caniacs!

It's been a busy day in the NHL. In a span of about 90 minutes two head coaches lost their jobs; First, Bruce Boudreau in Washington, then Paul Maurice. WIth horrible losing streaks and poor play from both teams all around, and particularly for the Canes, the deed had to be done.

In comes a breath of coaching fresh air, the highly touted and up and coming Kirk Muller, who was coaching the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's farm team this weekend in Charlotte. (what a coincidence!) Muller spend 5 yrs as assistant coach in Montreal and talk in all NHL circles was he would be the next in line for an NHL coaching gig, he just needed head coaching experience, thus the reason for taking the job in Milwaukee. Muller is credited with being a players coach, one of the hardest workers when he played, and many accolades for the job he did with Montreal's powerplay during that whole time he was there.

When a coach gets fired it's news everywhere- today was unique in that there were two firings- there's no shortage on coverage- read it all here:

Fox Sports Carolinas: Culture Change

Puck Daddy Blog: Canes hire Muller It's ok to be jealous of Carolina

Hurricanesbeat.com: Kirk Muller's coaching style

Dave Lozo from NHL.com : Six challenges facing Canes coach Muller

John Manasso NHL.com: AHL gamble pays handsomely for Kirk Muller

A piece on putting the hockey puzzle together:

Kirk Muller is more familiar with Carolina than you think - From Pro Hockey Talk.com

An outstanding piece from N&O's Luke DeCock on the end of Maurice's tenure, which isn't only about the failings of the Coach, but the organization as a whole. In the words of the new head coach: Holding people accountable:

Canes Now: Second Mo dynasty fails

Lots of good reading here. A page has turned Caniacs, the Kirk Muller era is about to begin. See you at the rink!

Heading into the holiday season; wishing Caniac Nation all the best for the Thanksgiving holidays!

The Hurricanes remain in a very busy stretch of their schedule for November, December brings a Canadian roadtrip East & West. Here are some things to mark on the calendar:

Black Friday: Canes vs Winnepeg Jets - 7pm RBC Center; It's Family Night at the RBC Center & that means $1.00 hot dogs all night. Bring the family and visiting guests out for a fun time. Get tickets here.

Two big events popular with Caniacs are coming up: Skate with the Canes, the annual event will be held on February 5th; Tickets are on sale now and are $75 each; proceeds to benefit Kids N Community. Also on the calendar and tickets on sale, Casino Night, which will take place on Sunday February 26th. Full details are available here.  Tickets for both events can be purchased at the Box Office or Ticketmaster.