The NHL and the Carolina Hurricanes released the official logo to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. The announcements of the logo has been the biggest news since the announcement of the all-star game in Raleigh. The logo is underlined with the Hurricanes logo and looks great in my opinion.

The other news was the announcement of a 5,000 ft banner to hang off the RBC Plaza in downtown. The banner will feature former All-Stars Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Hurricanes captain Eric Staal.  The banner should be completed by Saturday for the 5th annual Raleigh Wide Open.   The NHL and Carolina Hurricanes will also be selling the first 2011 All-Star Game gear such as hat and t-shirts.  Hope to see all you Caniac’s at Raleigh Wide Open this weekend.

The Carolina Hurricanes have had some noticeable things already happen this summer.  The biggest new was when Peter Karmanos Jr. told the world that he was looking for a minority owner to take over 49% of the teams finances.  When giving a statement Karmanos Jr. had this to say, “My partner, Tom Thewes, passed away two years ago, and we have been putting around trying to figure  how to replace the partner,” said Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. , who currently controls 100 percent of the franchise. “We just went to Allen & Co. to explore the different ways. It’s certainly not to sell the team.”  After a seeing a season where the Hurricanes failed to make the playoffs along with state of the economy made the need for a business partner.  The way that Karmanos Jr. and the organization would like to go is a local minority owner.  With Karmanos Jr. being located in Michigan the franchise would like to have a face to show the fans and to be able to get a local owners point of view on day to day.  The likely hood of the person being from the triangle area is slim, but would be a good fit for the promotion of the organization.

Also the Hurricanes have made a couple of depth and the organizations future by signing Jiri Tlusty, Jay Harrison, Jared Staal, and in all likely hood Anton Babchuk.  The Hurricanes have not denied anything and admit they are going young next season and that why you see these three playing in the NHL next year.  The all the signings so far have been expected, except for putting Jay Harrison on a one-way deal.  With the likely addition of Anton Babchuk that probaly means that Brian Pothier will move elsewhere.

Finally the Hurricanes have released a part of their exhibition schedule that for the upcoming season as they will play one of their exibitions against SKA St. Petersburg at Ledovy Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia.  This should be and interesting game as it will match NHL vs KHL, the two most competitive league in hockey.  The KHL is known as a league where players go in order to make more money or they can not find the right fit in the NHL.  Either way we are only 113 games from the exhibition against SKA St. Petersburg.

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Tuomo Ruutu was known as a injury plagued player while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2007-2008 the Hurricanes and Blackhawks decided to make a trade for two former top 5 draft picks when the Blackhawks sent Ruutu to Carolina for Andrew Ladd at the trade deadline. Ruutu helped the team take off after the deadline, but the Hurricanes would be eliminated from the post season on the last day of the season. Ruutu has brought physical element to Carolina along with the ability finish, pun intended, goals.

In 2009-2010 Tuomu Ruutu played only 54 games for the Carolina Hurricanes as he missed 28 games. Ruutu was coming off the best season of his career that saw him score 26 goals while adding 28 helpers for a total of 54 points. In 2009-2010 Ruutu only scored 14 goals and totaled 35 points. Ruutu has always been subject to injuries with the physical game being as it is a big part of what makes him affective. Without the injuries Ruutu probably has around the same point total he did in 2008-2009.

Next season’s first obstacle for Ruutu will be the stability of his shoulder. Near the end of the season Ruutu had reconstructive shoulder surgery and should be ready for the opener in Finland. If Ruutu can stay healthy he is a player that can provide you with and average of 45-60 points during the season playing with the right players. My prediction is that Ruutu could have his break out season next year and score near 30 goals and tally 70 points, and it will be need in order for the Hurricanes to field a competitive team in 2010-2011.