Clutch players

When it comes to late-season hounding, one has to expect that the players are well past tired of signing. Still, like the games that await, they trudge on, dutifully following the hundreds before them, fulfilling their sense of obligations toward the game's fans.

And while I was hardly prepared for the team's late-season call-ups from Albany, N.Y., it was the team's big-name stars who came through for a handful of us Saturday afternoon as the team boarded its bus to the St. Pete Times Forum. Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Erik Cole and, to a lesser degree, newcomer Sergei Samsonov made sure we didn't go home emptyhanded.

In our fourth time of hounding the Hurricanes this season, it was just those four players who helped us add another 16 autographs, including five pucks, to the collection. Yes, I suppose, we were doing a little cherry-picking.

I had a couple of pucks for Tuomo Ruutu, but missed him while waiting for Staal to sign some items, including a puck commemorating his MVP performance at the 2008 NHL All Star Game. For good measure, too, he added to one of Colin's work-in-progress teams sheets.

Ward, one of our favorite players, certainly didn't disappoint, inking an 8x10 and three cards. And, not only did Cole sign four cards for Colin, but this Hurricanes Stanley Cup Champions puck as well.

Samsonov, who, like Ruutu, joined the Hurricanes from the Blackhawks, turned in a pleasantly surprising performance, breaking away from what was his norm during his days in Beantown.

Cards, shown above, are:
Top row: Erik Cole, Eric Staal and Cam Ward; and
Bottom row: Erik Cole, Eric Staal and Cam Ward

Loyal fan

Other than the Boston Bruins, the only time that Colin doesn't cheer for the Tampa Bay Lightning is whenever the Carolina Hurricanes and his buddy, goalie Cam Ward, are in town.

Since their introduction outside the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Mass., in late 2004, Cam has always been gracious. He signed this photo, taken just before Christmas last year, before Saturday's game.

Cam came through

It certainly made Colin's day when Carolina's Cam Ward signed this calendar-based wallpaper from the Hurricanes' Web site. The day only got better when Ward, one of the Goofy dude's favorite goalies, signed a team sheet and Colin's old Hurricanes jersey.

I'll take eight, please

Sorry, folks, I wish I has a couple dozen Carolina Hurricanes autographs to show, but I don't. In fact, I only have a few from this morning. I must admit, too, that after getting Andrew Ladd to sign the 1,400 autographed puck of the collection this morning, my motivation level drained away.

I'm sure, too, that the 'Canes return trip on Dec. 22 had something to do with it. Either way, I came home happy, reaching yet another milestone of the collection.

Somewhat disappointing, though, was that neither Eric Staal nor Cam Ward signed this morning. Staal apparently departed the hotel through another exit. Ward took a hotel van over to the morning skate.

Despite the disappointment and scant numbers (I added eight to the collection), I'm glad that Rod Brind'Amour signed the Flyers puck. Chad Larose signed the Lowell Lock Monsters puck.

Quite a few other players stopped to sign, such as Bret Hedican, Cory Stillman and Scott Walker, but I let them pass. We already have a bunch of signed cards from them, so it was easy to let them walk. I did, however, get Trevor Letowski to sign Phoenix and Vancouver cards, and Glen Wesley signed the Hurricanes card.

My All Star picks

In case you've been stuck behind a puck for the past few days, fan balloting has begun for the 2007-08 NHL All Star Game.

Here are my Southeast Division-heavy picks:

Eastern Conference
Forward: Vinny Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Forward: Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers
Forward: Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
Defense: Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers
Defense: Paul Ranger, Tampa Bay Lightning (write-in)
Goalie: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

Western Conference
Forward: Joey Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Forward: Brad Boyes, St. Louis Blues (write-in)
Forward: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Defense: Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames
Goalie: Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

P.S. No voting, please, for Rory Fitzpatrick this season.

A fair trade

As we approach the holiday season, we're going to hear, and hopefully practice, the adage that it's better to give than receive.

When it comes to hounding, though, I'd always prefer to make a trade.

Regular visitors to Hound Central 3.0 might remember a picture showing Colin dressed in his street hockey goalie gear and wearing a Carolina Hurricanes jersey.

After telling the Goofy Dude that I'd be seeing the Hurricanes and one of his favorite goalies, Cam Ward, he asked for a favor. He wanted me to give Cam an autographed copy of that picture.

Yesterday morning, as Cam made his way to the team's morning skate, I delivered Colin's wishes. And, as you can see, Cam was more than willing to trade autographs.

Giant goalie invades Florida!!!

Will you look at the size of this goalie? Dwarfs the net, doesn't he?

Actually, it's my son, Colin, imitating Carolina's Cam Ward.

And, no, that's not an official size (4-foot-by-6-foot) net.

Who's the best young goalie?

In a way, I feel sorry for today's younger generations. The pressure to get into top-shelf schools, score a six-figure starting salary and buy a waterfront condo must be taking its toll. I mean, can you imagine looking forward to schlepping into an office about 237 days out of the year, knowing that you bring more to the table than most of your bosses, for the next 45 to 50 years?

One thing they shouldn't complain about, though, is having to be a starting goalie in the National Hockey League. Chances are, these kids easily satisfy two out of the three mandates faced by their peers. The pressure of being a big-league goalie, though, is something those peers don't face.

Playing goalie makes them visible. In a heartbeat, usually brought about by a perceived weak goal, an adoring fan base can boo one back to the minors. On the road, it's no different. Their last name becomes a derisive chant. Every goal leads to a deafening cheer.

That, my friends, is what pressure's all about. To be that good, at such a young age, on a worldwide platform, is what separates these goalies, all under the age of 25 (based on the NHL's Oct. 3 opening night), from their peers, hockey players or not:

No. 5: Cam Ward
Carolina Hurricanes
23 years old (02.29.84)
Drafted 25th overall in 2002
The skinny: Though some might see last season as a step back, the former Conn Smythe winner still posted respectable numbers: 30-21-6, 2.93 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage (really, though, .900 is the benchmark). To me, this kid, unflappable as they come, is going to have a long, productive NHL career.
Last season's ranking: No. 4

No. 4: Kari Lehtonen
Atlanta Thrashers
23 years old (11.16.83)
Drafted 2nd overall in 2002
The skinny: A fixture on everyone's goalie radar since his American Hockey League days, the Finn makes his first appearance on Puckhound's annual list. Leading the Thrashers to their first-ever postseason appearance, as well as logging pretty good numbers (34-24-9, 2.79 GAA and .912 SP) will do that for a player.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 3: Marc-Andre Fleury
Pittsburgh Penguins
22 years old (11.28.84)
Drafted 1st overall in 2003
The skinny: My faith in this kid was rewarded last season. At a point in his young career when others were questioning whether he was a flop, Fleury put together a spectacular season: 40-16-9, 2.83 GAA and .906 SP. Granted, it doesn't hurt having some of the game's best players (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Ryan Whitney) on your team, too.
Last season's ranking: No. 3

No. 2: Ray Emery
Ottawa Senators
25 years old (09.28.82)
Drafted 99th overall in 2001
The skinny: It's amazing how Emery burst onto the scene last season, especially late in the year and during the playoffs. How stingy was he? How about a 33-16-6 record, a 2.47 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Showing just how objective I can be, Emery also scored major bonus points for taking on, and beating up, my beloved Sabres last season.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 1: Henrik Lundqvist
New York Rangers
25 years old (03.02.82)
Drafted 205th overall in 2000
The skinny: Really, this should come as no surprise that Lundqvist is crowned as King of the best young goalies for this upcoming season. Not only did he step up individually (37-22-8, 2.34 GAA and .917 SP), but he played an integral role in the Rangers' reversal of fortunes last season. He's also living proof that gems exist deep in drafts.
Last season's ranking: No. 2

Ones to watch

Keep an eye on these four players, listed in alphabetical order, as they're likely to make this list in the years ahead:

~ Jonathan Bernier, Los Angeles Kings
19 years old (08.07.88) / 11th overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: It may take a few seasons at Manchester, but this kid should solve the Kings' goaltending woes for a long time. He's a legend in Lewiston, Maine, where he backstopped the Maineiacs to a QMJHL title last season.

~ Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
22 years old (12.31.84) /52nd overall in 2003 Draft
The skinny: Nikolai Khabibulin and Patrick Lalime better be looking over their shoulders. Not only is this kid much younger, but he could also be that much better. The Blackhawks are relatively young, so Crawford should get a chance to grow with this team

~ Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
20 years old (08.16.87) / fifth overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: Repeat after me -- Who is Yann Danis? Who is Jaroslav Halak? Who is Cristobal Huet? Who is Yann Danis? Who is Jaroslav Halak? Who is Cristobal Huet? He's unlikely to make Habs fans forget Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy, but he's destined to make his run toward hockey greatness

~ Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
20 years old (03.20.87) / 21st overall in 2005 Draft (by Toronto)
The skinny: As much as Hound Central 3.0 is a big fan of Hannu Toivonen, it's easy to see why Boston traded him to St. Louis. Rask, who will get his seasoning in Providence, stands to be Bruins goalie of the future. Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas are only keeping the crease roughed up for the Finn.

Feel free to check out last season's best young players.