Raleigh, NC -- The Carolina Hurricanes' youth has been
obvious from Day One this season, even a hindrance at times. General manager
Jim Rutherford knew that to secure a playoff spot and have a chance at making a
push come April, he needed a bit more gravitas on the ice.
To gain maturity, Rutherford looked to the organization's past and brought in
37-year-old left wing Cory Stillman a week ago. The move looks like a work of
genius.
Stillman was a key member of the 2006 Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes,
finishing that playoff run second on the team with 26 points. Traded by Florida
for 26-year-old Jeff Carter and a fifth-round selection in this summer's draft,
Stillman already has had a major impact for the Canes.
Stillman, who had seven goals and 16 assists with the Panthers, scored a goal
and had an assist in a defeat of his former team on Tuesday. He has two goals
in four games with Carolina, which is 3-1 with him.
"He's a big-game player," Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said after Thursday
night's 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the RBC Center.
"He's won two Stanley Cups for a reason, and he's put up points in the
playoffs, he's put up points in big games. And we're expecting him to do that
here down the stretch."
Stillman's game is not about goals, especially this late in his career. He still
can slip one past the goalie, but his game is more important because of how it
can enhance the team's scorers, notably Staal.
The veteran is a willing and capable passer and complements Staal's game well.
Carolina needed someone like that, especially since it lost Ray Whitney in the
offseason. And it shouldn't take Staal long to get reacquainted with Stillman, who
played 170 games with the franchise from 2005-08.
"His patience with the puck definitely helps," said Erik Cole, who
also played with Stillman in 2006. "He's got a calm demeanor about him.
Not just that, but he's really good at pointing out things in a positive way to
guys. He's a great team guy and a great team leader."
Staal couldn't stop with the accolades.
"He's one of those players that just sees the ice so well, and makes those
plays that a lot of other guys don't," Staal said. "He adds that
offensive element to our team."
Carolina also needed to add some muckraking on defense, and did so by acquiring
Derek Joslin from San Jose and Bryan Allen, who came over in another trade with
Florida. But along with shoring up a somewhat suspect defense, Carolina needed
experience and a winning, workhorse mind-set.
That's a big reason Stillman is back. He's a proven winner and he's won in this
organization. Stillman also won a Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004.
"There's something to that," Canes coach Paul Maurice said when asked
about the experience Stillman brings to the team. "And I think you get a
feel of that on the bench from other players. He's not a yeller or a screamer.
And as Staal and Cole are still finding how this is going to work, he's been a
good steadying influence for us."
Maturity, fight and fending off a couple of deficits were in full view against
the Sabres. Carolina showed some extra grit and now leads Buffalo by three
points in the race for a playoff spot. The Hurricanes hold the eighth spot with
71 points.
