Every time I get to where I have completely given up faith in Jim Rutherford (Canes GM), he does something akin to walking on water and he brings me right back to his corner. Friday night was no different.

I was sitting at a local bar with some friends Friday night, celebrating getting a new job and getting off the nights routine, watching the NHL draft with no sound. The guys I was with weren’t big hockey fans so I had to explain why I only really cared about the first 8 picks and why it’s better to see the commish go to the podium instead of a GM. If the Commish goes there, it’s to announce a trade, if it’s the GM then it’s to make a pick.

So it came to the Isles pick and I knew they would go D-man. To my surprise it wasn’t Dumba, but rather Griffin Reinhart. It’s not a big deal to me, the Isles could use him just as well as any of the other big D men so it’s a good pick.

Then came pick 8. The Canes were on the clock. They kept showing the table and JR and the boys sitting there. Then…. Bettman came to the podium and started to make the announcement of a deal. I was already happy that the Canes were trading the pick. Alas, there was no sound and I had to try and read lips, waiting for them to put up the graphic of who was in said deal. Then…it… CAME…. JORDAN STAAL TO THE CANES! I screamed out “YEAH BABY!” in the dining room of the Ale House. It’s basically a Canes fan’s bar and grill. There are jersies from various players on the wall including 3 or more from Aaron Ward’s various teams (Canes/Rangers/Bruins). So I was kinda shocked that the place went pretty silent after my scream, and everyone was looking at me. Then a couple of guys came up one after another asking who we got. Once I said we got Jordan Staal, each guy got a big smile and pumped their fist.

It went down as the Canes #1 pick, Brandon Sutter and B. Dumoulin (BIG solid young minor league D man) to the Pens for Jordan Staal. A great deal with good value going both ways. Obviously I am happy with the Canes not having to give up too much to get him. Sutter, while one of my favorites, is a good guy to deal here. He’s not quite as good on either side of the puck as Staal so it’s an upgrade. He’s a leader tho and will be missed.

The problem we have here with local fans of the Canes, isn’t their lack of knowledge. They generally have come a long way in the 10+ years the team has been in Raleigh. They know well enough about the rules and about the teams and players. The problem is the local fans are entirely too loyal to a fault. Whenever trade deadlines or free agency is upon us they want to get back each and every player who has ever worn a Canes jersey whether they were (or are still) good or not. Such was the case last night. The overly loyal ones were all up in arms… “how could we trade Sutter???”. Ugh, it’s an uphill battle trying to explain that no matter how much you like Sutter, he’s just not Jordan Staal. On any other team in the league Staal is a 1st line center. But on the Pens he’s stuck behind two guys who have won MVP trophies. That’s a hard thing to do. Play 3rd fiddle when you are a top centerman. So it will take a few games or some time to sink in but I think even the loyal nay-sayers will come on board and be ok with this deal.

So on this day we say Congrats on getting married yesterday Jordan. I hope that the reception was a wild one as word spread that you will now be on a team with your older brother, and in the same organization as your younger brother.

Who knows… it’s only 3 more years until Marc Staal is a UFA for the Rangers. Maybe in 2 the Canes can pick up the big D-man at the deadline for a cup push.

Make no mistake about it Canes fans, this was a HUGE deal for us. This trade alone makes us a contender for the division title. Now do me a favor JR, sign 1 or 2 more fowards we can use and the PNC center will be packed and rocking most of the year!

WELL DONE!!

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