Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes looked great until they met the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh of course goes on to sweep the canes and send Paul Maurice and Jim Rutherford back to the drawing board.

Carolina has got a talented team, but perhaps its time to get younger, and better defensively to save Cam Ward when he rarely struggles (against Pittsburgh).

Their roster is as follows:
Forwards
# Player Height Weight DOB Age Birthplace
18 Ryan Bayda 5' 11" 185 Dec 9, 1980 28 Saskatoon, SK, CAN
57 Drayson Bowman 6' 0" 181 Mar 8, 1989 20 Grand Rapids, MI, USA
23 Zach Boychuk 5' 10" 180 Oct 4, 1989 19 Airdrie, AB, CAN
17 Rod Brind'Amour "C" 6' 1" 205 Aug 9, 1970 38 Ottawa, ON, CAN
26 Erik Cole 6' 2" 205 Nov 6, 1978 30 Oswego, NY, USA
8 Matt Cullen 6' 1" 200 Nov 2, 1976 32 Virginia, MN, USA
39 Patrick Dwyer 5' 11" 175 Jun 22, 1983 25 Spokane, WA, USA
44 Patrick Eaves 5' 11" 190 May 1, 1984 25 Calgary, AB, CAN
63 Dwight Helminen 5' 10" 191 Jun 22, 1983 25 Hancock, MI, USA
36 Jussi Jokinen 5' 11" 190 Apr 1, 1983 26 Kalajoki, FIN
59 Chad LaRose 5' 10" 181 Mar 27, 1982 27 Fraser, MI, USA
15 Tuomo Ruutu 6' 0" 200 Feb 16, 1983 26 Vantaa, FIN
20 Michael Ryan 6' 1" 188 May 16, 1980 29 Boston, MA, USA
14 Sergei Samsonov 5' 8" 188 Oct 27, 1978 30 Moscow, RUS
12 Eric Staal "A" 6' 4" 205 Oct 29, 1984 24 Thunder Bay, ON, CAN
16 Brandon Sutter 6' 3" 183 Feb 14, 1989 20 Huntington, NY, USA
24 Scott Walker 5' 10" 196 Jul 19, 1973 35 Cambridge, ON, CAN
13 Ray Whitney "A" 5' 10" 180 May 8, 1972 37 Fort Saskatchewan, AB, CAN

Defensemen
# Player Height Weight DOB Age Birthplace
33 Anton Babchuk 6' 5" 212 May 6, 1984 25 Kiev, UKR
27 Brett Carson 6' 4" 220 Nov 29, 1985 23 Regina, SK, CAN
38 Tim Conboy 6' 2" 210 Mar 22, 1982 27 Farmington, MN, USA
77 Joe Corvo 6' 0" 204 Jun 20, 1977 31 Oak Park, IL, USA
6 Tim Gleason 6' 0" 217 Jan 29, 1983 26 Clawson, MI, USA
5 Frantisek Kaberle 6' 0" 190 Nov 8, 1973 35 Kladno, CZE
25 Joni Pitkanen 6' 3" 200 Sep 19, 1983 25 Oulu, FIN
29 Bryan Rodney 6' 0" 200 Apr 22, 1984 25 London, ON, CAN
4 Dennis Seidenberg 6' 1" 210 Jul 18, 1981 27 Schwenningen, DEU
7 Niclas Wallin 6' 3" 220 Feb 20, 1975 34 Boden, SWE

Goalies
# Player Height Weight DOB Age Birthplace
49 Michael Leighton 6' 3" 186 May 19, 1981 28 Petrolia, ON, CAN
60 Justin Peters 6' 1" 213 Aug 30, 1986 22 Blyth, ON, CAN
30 Cam Ward 6' 1" 200 Feb 29, 1984 25 Saskatoon, SK, CAN

As you can see Erik Cole, Rod Brind`Amour and Ray Whitney are getting close to retirement, however all 3 players will be back next season. So maybe they have one more year with this seasons team.

For this off season I would look into acquiring some defensive help. Carolina had the 2nd most goals against in the playoffs(52), with only about 3 goals considered to be Cam Ward`s fault. I don`t see Carolina over-paying for some one like Jay Bouwmeester or Adrian Aucoin, but Carolina should go after Filip Kuba or Hal Gil. A recognizable defense men in the prime of their career. Someone who knows that you can`t solely rely on your goalie to stop every puck.

Carolina will probably look to deal Kabina and Wallin this summer, but Wallin has a no-trade clause and Kabina has been on the trading block for over a year. I would hope that they can get a new young playmaker along with a flourishing young defense men.

I really like Cam Ward. I believe that one day he will be consider equal to or greater than Patrick Roy or Tom Barrasso. Carolina has Cam Ward under contract for one more year, and the MUST resign him long term.

Carolina also must keep the following free agents

Ryan Bayda UFA
Erik Cole UFA
Dennis Seidenberg UFA
Chad LaRose UFA
Tuomo Ruutu RFA
Jussi Jokinen RFA
Anton Babchuk RFA

Most of these players are going to be asking for a little more money, but Carolina can afford it, baring singing a star free agent.

The future looks somewhat pessimistic in Raleigh. Sure they have favorites like Cam Ward and Eric Staal, but after those two players they must trade for or sign more depth. Especially considering Erik Cole, Rod Brind`Amour and Ray Whitney all will be gone in the next few years.

The Hurricanes are still a year from a total makeover, when Wallin, Corvo and Kaberle's contracts expire along with those of Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen and Scott Walker, and players such as Zach Boychuk, Brandon Sutter, Drayson Bowman and Jamie McBain are ready to step in.For now, they can continue to build around Staal and Ward -- and continue to rebuild a blue line that remains a work in progress.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were one injury away to going to there second finals in two years. One big injury. Everyone knows I`m talking about the All-pro Kevin Garnett. With being so close to the finals it only makes sense to keep a roster relatively close to last season.

Last season the Celtics finished in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a 62-20 record, 4 games behind Cleveland. The Celtics were well on their way for making a case for leagues best record when trouble hit. KG went down. That pretty much summed up the whole season. In 20 years when people think of the 2008-2009 season for the C`s they`re going to say ``the year KG went down``.

Last years roster is as follows:
NUM PLAYER POS
20 Ray Allen G
42 Tony Allen G
11 Glen Davis F
5 Kevin Garnett F
4 J.R. Giddens G
50 Eddie House G
8 Stephon Marbury G
7 Mikki Moore F-C
43 Kendrick PerkinsC
34 Paul Pierce - C F
0 Leon Powe F
13 Gabe Pruitt G
9 Rajon Rondo G
44 Brian ScalabrineC-F
12 Bill Walker G-F

A very strong team, with noticeably one weakness. An able body back up Power Forward. Sure they have Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins,(Glen Davis is set to be a free agent this coming July.) But without some quality depth they are nothing but a 2nd round playoff team. I suggest they offer Antonio McDyess a one year one million dollar contract to solidify a glaring need for one more year.

I hate to say it but I only see the main 3 (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) together for one more year. I think if expectations are not met in the middle of next season Ray Allen will be on the trading block, and Boston will look to get younger once again. Kevin Garnett is signed until the 2012-2013 season with Pierce signed till the 2011-2012. Ray Allen is under contract for one more season. I suggest that Boston tries to trade Allen to a buyer team next trade deadline for a elite center, and a young and coming guard. I propose:
To Chicago - Ray Allen (eventually replaced by Tony Allen)
To Boston - Brad Miller and John Salmons

Now what to do with JR Giddens. I really like this young man from New Mexico and strongly urge Doc to give him much more playing time. Giddens played a total of 7 minutes and 48 seconds. But did not look out of place, with proper training and teaching Giddens can be a quality bench player. I think that it will be the perfect time for him to replace Marbury (please don`t bring him back) and learn from Ray Allen for a few months.

Next Years Starters:
G- Rajon Rondo
G- Ray Allen (eventually replaced by Tony Allen)
F- Paul Pierce
F- Kevin Garnett
C- Antonio Mcdyess

Here is a quality article more about what the Celtics should do next year at
http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/5/27/815971/who-else-may-not-be-back

Welcome!

Welcome to Acting Gm, a new blog with hopes to become an elite sports website, where we analyze teams in the NBA,NFL,NFL or MLB, act like the GM and make realistic trades and draft picks to make our team better.

I will ask writers or bloggers who specialize in certain teams for their input when we review their team as well.

I also hope to get fans input as well regarding trades, draft picks and fire or hire a new coach.

If all works out this blog will soon be analyzing and reviewing teams with well known guests daily.

Our first stop, the Boston Celtics fresh off an early playoff exit thanks to the Orlando Magic.