AGRI Biz

Nothing this season has gone well for the Carolina Hurricanes, and everyone involved with the team, and maybe even the league, knows that. The special teams are bad, the injuries are hitting hard, there are major goaltending issues, troubles with holding leads as well asáconverting plentiful early first-period scoring chances. But, recently, there have been signs of life. The Canes salvaged a point last Friday despite falling to the Islanders 3-0 early, ...

NOTE: All teams are listed with their current points in the standings (as of Monday, November 16). The upper half (top 16) as well as the focus of my coverage, the Hurricanes, also have additional commentary and insight,áwhich is completely original and reflects only the opinion of Mark Jones. Any comments, corrections, or questions are welcomed in the section at the conclusion of this article. ----- "Toronto, we have frontrunners." It happens every ...

It's been a really tough season so far for the Carolina Hurricanes, and the year got even tougher last Saturday in Columbus. Not only did the 'Canes blow a 1-0 second-intermission lead to earn their 12th straight lossùthis time 3-2ùbut goaltender Cam Ward was sliced by Rick Nash's skate in the inside of his upper right leg early in the first period and was practically carried off the ice to the ...

It's official. The Carolina Hurricanes are definitely the worst team in the NHL right now. With a mere seven points and eleven straight losses, the 'Canes have begun a season that was highly anticipated as what could be another Cup season 2-10-3. On the scoresheet, the 'Canes are last or nearly last in every category. They are last in the NHL in points, wins, goals against, and powerplays allowed per game. They ...

The NHL is currently a league with a very large portion of bottom-feeders. But they've got a load of front runners crowding the top, as well. Expected dynasties such as the Penguins, Sharks, Capitals, Blackhawks, Devils, and Flyers are sitting pretty in the "W" column, but they have some surprising opponents up at the top of the standings as well. Several up-and-coming Western squads have made runs at the top so far ...

The NHL is currently a league with a very large portion of bottom-feeders. But they've got a load of front runners crowding the top, as well. Expected dynasties such as the Penguins, Sharks, Capitals, Blackhawks, Devils, and Flyers are sitting pretty in the "W" column, but they have some surprising opponents up at the top of the standings as well. Several up-and-coming Western squads have made runs at the top so far ...

From all angles, it hasn't been a very special year for the Carolina Hurricanes so far this young season. Not in the standings, where the Canes are in the bottom third with a miserable 2-4-2 record... And definitely not in the special teams, which seems to be the primary cause for that un-special record you see listed above. á Issue No. 1 - The Powerplay The problems start (but definitely don't end) on the ...

It's been a crazy two weeks we've had since the start of the 2009-2010 NHL season. We've seen some teams get off to unexpected fast starts, while others, projected to be among the elite by experts in the preseason, have fallen below expectations. The system for these power rankings (for those of you who like formulas) is as follows: 35% Projected Results 55% Success this season (so far) 10% intangibles/miscellaneous For those of you who don't ...

Oct. 2, 2009, was a day of missed opportunities, disappointments, and an opening-day home loss for the Carolina Hurricanes. In front of a sellout crowd, rowdy and ready to watch the Canes march their way to the Cup in the new season, Carolina had two shots sail wide with plenty of net open, two wristers off the post, and one goal nullified from a hand pass. The Hurricanes were also a ...

"The thunder rolls, and the lightning flashes. Dark, menacing storm clouds lurk overhead...a torrential downpour of rain begins to pour from the sky. Nearby, Penguins screech, Bruins call out in pain, Panthers fall to the earth, and even the Devil goes back to the underworld." Nice one, Hurricanes advertisement! Way to make our games sound like a Katrina, and not a family-friendly night out! Still, back to reality. The Hurricanes do have the ...