Irbe ssigns 3 year extension with the Canes

[Cane Says]

Reported in the Raleigh News and Observer


The Canes' willingness to let him miss the San Jose game to play for Latvia bought no end of loyalty from Irbe, who on opening night signed a three-year contract extension with the Canes.
"This franchise understood more than anybody else what these Olympics meant to me, and they were willing to go long way to help me reach my goal," Irbe said. "Now I go back to work, and it's a great feeling coming back to where you know people have respect for you and faith in you. I have a good feeling coming back."

[Count Cane]

That is why I have been saying it's time to trade Barrasso. I feel that 2 goalies sharing the starting position has been a distraction for this team. The fact that they covet Kevin Weeks from TB and said they are willing to carry 3 goalies the rest of the season terrifies me.

[Cane Says]

The canes need a strong backup goalie, i agree that having barasso and irbe switch starting positions has been problematic. The contract extension shows the canes' willingness to bank their future, barring a trade, on irbe in goal.

[wingwop]

I think that's stupid as well. The problem is I don't know about a market for Barrasso. Let's face it, as a teammate, he has got to have the worst reputation in the league. Carolina goes where Irbe takes them. He's always done well against the wings.

[Cane Says]

Irbe is an ironman for the Canes. He was in net more times than any other goalie last year. We don't want to see him go at all, but you never know what management will do, that's all i meant by the trade comment.
Besides. barasso is way too streaky, he is either tough as hell or weak as a kitten in goal. Both goalies have been in a slump, and they both need to play tough if we are gonna make it to the playoffs