Disgusting and shameful. It looked like the last couple years. Samsinov, Cullen and Sutter started the game out pretty good. Roddy and Staal look like crap, that one early that Staal missed was where I decided, something is wrong with him. Great pass through the crease he was parked by the opposite post and whiffed it. Shit happens, but in his tax bracket he has to get those, period. I’ve been screaming for Lavi’s head for awhile. Leighton got smoked, Ward gets smoked. I think both are very good goalies. They just don’t have a unified, motivated team in front of them. I can’t even judge a goalie on a game like that.

I think the luck in the early games is catching up and as other teams are tweaking in these guys are doing the ol’ porcelin swirl.

I still think it all starts with the coach. I think there is enough talent on the team to compete, they just need to be lead and have a plan they believe in.

A

I had a job once where I lost confidence in management and interest in the company. I moved on — it’s time for the ‘Canes to do the same. Either get rid of all the dead weight on this team or give Lavi his walking papers. And go ahead and put Brindy and Staal on injured reserve for crying out loud. Either they are hurt or they just completely suck. I would hope it’s the former. Oy vey, what a game last night, what a game…

Bubba,
Thanks for addressing our questions from previous post.
Even this morning I am amazed, sickened really, by the lack of emotion and effort the Canes displayed last night. Save for Rutuu and Walker, the team looked hesitant. Bayda looked good early only to be sent to the box and never recover. Watching last night from Sec 106 was miserable, My Father-in-law even suggested leaving early, first time he has uttered those words at any sporting event going back 10+ years. Everyone on the bench had their head down from 2nd period on, no chatter at all. Staal. Is. Hurt. And mentally he is snake bitten. Roddy is not anywhere near 100%. I even wonder if Gleason isn’t struggling with some injury?
Who would have thought going into the season that Seidenburg would be our most dependable D-man, and the fans couldn’t wait for Kaberle to come back?
Dump Brookbank, and trade for someone with grit, who can fight, and play min of 10 min a game.

I have been defending Laviolette for the last two years but I think last night changed my mind. We have plenty of talent but he has lost the ability to motivate this team. I hate to say it, but he has to go.

Ugh, it’s tough to be a fan of this team when they just cower to the Caps every time they play them. Carolina was just intimidated last night, they played like they were afraid of them. Scratch Rod, Staal, and send down Brookbank. There are only a handfull of guys on this team that are hungry right now, bring up a couple kids who don’t know any better and light a fire under some butts.

My biggest concern for this team right now is how our forwards cannot seem to control the puck. They constantly over skate it, go around it in a circle like their not sure if they should shoot it or cycle it and then the other team just snatches it right from them. Lets not even talk about the bad passes. Watching them in the past 2 games cycle the puck like they do reminds of the Carolina Tarheels in the 70’s with the 4-corners in basketball (which ultimately led to a shot clock).
I agree with HPX in the forum when he said it should only take one player behind the net to get the puck & the rest get in front of net instead of 3 of them behind the net trying to get the puck out, they seem to miss a lot of opportunities for scoring when they do this.

When you play a team like the Caps with some of the hottest players in the NHL right now them scoring 5 goals should not be a shock to the players or the fans. Look at the Detroit & Pens game Tuesday night with the score 7-6 in OT with 2 top teams and goalies. The fact that we had several opportunities to match that score and did not capitilize (no pun intended) on it is what I find unacceptable.

Not going on a blame the goalie tangent, but I’m already hearing from the Wardo lovers that Leighton did no better than Ward did against Atlanta. The fact that a team like Atlanta beat us 5-2 with players getting their 1st and 2nd goals of the season concerns me. That my friends is like comparing apples to oranges when you start comparing the players that scored Sunday to the players who scored last night. Leighton should have stopped 2 of those goals, but then the score would have been 3-1, sill a loss. The team lost this game not the goalie.

OK OK…I’m disappointed in the game last night as well. I thought we outplayed them (at least hustle-wise) through 1.5 periods but that we made 4 mistakes and they scored on every one of them. Given the opportunities we had on the 5-3 and also the chance bayda had at the end of the first, it could easily have been 3-3 at the end of 1. Any team will get down on the bench when they see every mistake end up in the back of the net. After the middle of the 2nd period, game was lost.

About Brookbank…all of you (not necessarily YOU guys but PLENTY of people) were begging for an enforcer last year when Cullen got knocked out. Now you want us to send our only enforcer away? Fickle fickle!

—Justin

Caron,
Your statements concerning Leighton and Ward are the exact same thing that what you call “Wardo” lovers say about the performances when Ward is in the goal. I dont think that 90% of our games this year have been a goalie problem, I think its the guys in front of the goalie that have been the problem. I think you will see Ward back in goal and this is a great opportuinty for him to retake control of this team and step up a be the leader.

Watching the game on TV you could hear the boos throught the game. Frankly I am sick of Eric Stall. He really shines scoring empty net goals doesn’t he? Give us more players with intensity like Walker, Ruutu and Larose. Cut Williams loose. Get Francis in as head coach for the remainder of the year. He is someone the players would respect enough to get going again. It is time Rutherford makes some tough decisions!

Justin,
I think they’re saying – if Lavi is not gonna use the enforcer, why have him take up a roster spot? Helminen would be more useful to have if the ‘Canes aren’t going to try to toughen up. However, I think most fans would like a tougher team – at least a team that stands up for one another.
I think JR wanted to get tougher, and kinda signed a one way deal that forces Brookbank to stay up with the big club, but Lavi doesn’t want to use him or any enforcers. I think Lavi’s attitude is what sent Hordichuck elsewhere – he knew he wouldn’t get the ice time in Lavi’s system.
How to fix this? I hate to say that I agree with Paladin (I always took the sunnier side of the same coin with Paladin), but I agree with him. The Islander’s players tuned Lavi out after a while, and now the ‘Canes are doing the same. It’s almost time for JR to make good on his threat – last night was a “statement game.” Te Hurricanes sure made one hell of a statement.

If I don’t see a report of a closed door meeting I am gonna be sick. We need someone to sound a charge amongst the troops. Here is my solution.

Step 1 Trade for a true Shutdown D man.

Every one had a boner for a PMD in past 2 off seasons. I didn’t buy it then, I don’t buy it now. What we need is a nasty Defenseman who makes you hurt when you come waltzing in past the blue line. Our oppositions top line ALWAYS seem to have their way with us. If you have one TRUE shutdown pairing that can handle that, it would be nice.

Step 2 On a similar note, it would be nice to have a grind line. We have players in system now who could be perfect for this. Walker is suited for dirty work, and we have Conboy, who can play forward, and would be perfect on this type of line. He can be a great pest and would be just what this team needs, an Agitator. It is no coincidence how well the team played last year with him in the lineup.

Step 3 Coaching Change.

I think we should take a page right out of the Washington play book from last year, and use a change behind the bench as a catalyst. I have long been an apologist of Lavi, mainly because I love watching the up tempo game he brought here. But, I think the time has come. We need look no further, IMO than Tom Rowe. He is ready. He is emotionally charged. I also think that he is the kind of guy who promotes overachieving.

If these changes don’t jumpstart this team, then the most we can hope for is that we bomb and get a good draft pick.

I also thought about including a GM change, as I think that JR should shoulder the blame for the last few seasons issues as well, but I want to see how he responds to this one. A lot of folks love him for not being knee jerk about things, which is good. I tend to believe he is to far the other side of aisle though. I think he lets things sit too long. He needs to recognize that something needs to be done NOW to fix this team. We are midway through November and there has been maybe two games that you could feel good about. We sat around and waited for the ship to right itself the last two seasons, and made our moves to fix things much later in the season. Look at what that approach has bought us.

This is long winded, so I apologize.

I could easily go on and on echoing the sentiments of everyone else, but I’ll try not to too much. No heart, no fire, no fight, no jump (man, I’m tired of this being the only thing Laviolette can say when interviewed after every loss), and no work ethic. They get outhustled and outclassed on a nightly basis and have yet to play a complete 60 minutes the entire season. They are probably the worst 8-6-2 team in league history. The fact that they have a winning record is nothing more than a smokescreen. They have stolen a few games that they certainly should have lost (and deserved to have) such as the 60 shot defensive meltdown on Long Island, the first half of the home and home with Toronto, and the better late than never performance versus the Sens. On the other hand, they have lost cames they had to win such as 1-0 lead through 50 minutes only to blow it badly against the Pens, the lousy finish against the Oilers, and letting valuable points slip away against the Caps when they took it away from us with ten seconds remaining. It’s especially disturbing that we get 3 key players back from injuries and somehow find a way to be even worse. It blows my mind that we have a roster spot used up for Brookbank who has a willingness to fight, but isn’t very good at it and brings nothing else to the table. It’s also upsetting that he’s got a one way deal. That is a Rutherford botch-up on par with giving Nic Wallin a no trade clause. I thought LaCouture brought toughness, grit, work ethic, and scoring ability and what did they do with him? Gave him two minutes a game then waived him. Staal is continuously cracking under the pressure of trying to live up to that fat contract. If being snakebitten was all it was, I’d be more understanding, but it’s obvious he doesn’t have the hunger or drive to be the best. He takes shifts off and generally plays slow and uninspired. I’ve heard from an inside source that he pouts about a lot of things. I have to say that doesn’t surprise me a bit. You may says it’s immaterial, but I think it’s a big part of why he is so ineffective and letting all of us down. It’s time for Tom Rowe to take over the reigns. It’s obvious that the players have tuned Laviolette out. That’s on them, but you can’t fire the whole team. Maybe he has nothing else to say, maybe they’re just not putting in the work. Either way, if things aren’t clicking for you and when all else fails, play tough. Hit people. Show some pride. I see none of that from this team and it’s very disconcerting. I feel like I am in a position where I can call out this team and not have any qualms about doing so. Just for a little background info, I have attended 120 of the last 125 games. I’m not just some fairweather fan piling on. It’s time to step your game up or find another profession, Canes.

Wylde,
I agree with your idea of getting a new hard core D-man. Who is out there that we could get and who would you look to trade?

Like many people have been saying all along, we need consistency. We need it in the lines that play together, we need it in the goaltending and it all starts with the coaching. The lines need to be put together and give them a chance to mesh. All of this switching around players and lines is a joke. And I agree about Conboy. When he was playing here last year, the team had so much more energy and SO DID THE FANS! I remember one game, he came off the bench, got in a fight and then skated around waving his hands up in the air to get the fans going. There is no spark like that right now. I dont know if that kind of behavior is being squashed by the coaching but all I know is that we need it!

I won’t say much, b/c everything’s been said. One tiny thing I would suggest is maybe trying using more of the umbrella set up on the PP. The team is not generating enough chances with the man advantage and the spacing and lack of shooting lanes is terrible.

One more thing, if I can. Another reason why I want change quick is I am afraid that we are creating a culture of negativity in the locker room and the fanbase. We got that 5 on 3 last night, and I actually felt WORSE. I said to the wife, there goes the game right there. Not scoring on a 5 on 3 sucks. The fact that it feels like us not scoring on a 5 on 3 is a given has to be some level of sucking that is on par with black holes.

It’s ashame to have someone return from the IR as Brandon Sutter did and be one of the only ones who actually put forth an effort last night. Samsonov has been nothing but a disappointment so far this season. Corvo and Gleason are turning the puck over too much. I’m surprised Staal connected on those few empty net goals he’s gotten so far. Ward has let some soft goals get by him but he can’t win or lose the game on his own. He’s got to have help. I see no effort from the players to drive to the net and try to score. It’s pass, pass, pass and then turn the puck over. If Brookbank isn’t on the ice any more than 2 minutes, you can’t expect too much from him. LaCoutoure was putting in the effort as well as Helminen but look where it got them. They’re both back with the River Rats and yet we’re keeping guys around who don’t seem to care or give 100%. I rather lose and know the the team tried their best than lose without any effort. I think it’s time to shut the lockerroom door, lock it and call some players out.

Yuck! I changed the channel after it was 4 to 1. I never do that.

Yuck! I changed the channel after it was 4 to 1. I never do that.

wylde4canes:

We got at least 3 golden, guaranteed (almost) chances on that 5-3. Almost anyone not gripping their stick like Staal would have put them away. There was not a single thing wrong with that 5-3 except for Staal’s inabiity to put away an easy banger. No reason to feel bad about the team and execution on that 5-3.

Which goes back to my point…lets look at the first half of the game and ignore the second half. Any team would be dispirited after seeing every mistake end up in the back of the net. During the first half, the canes out-chanced the caps, shot evenly with them, out-hit the caps. I have zero problem with how we played the first half of the game. If we play like that every night, we’ll put up 90-100 pts in a season. After going down 4-1, while they’re professionals and shouldn’t take the rest of the night off, I’m more understanding.

About getting a shutdown D man (haven’t we heard this before…like every freaking year?)…what about a shutdown D man would have stopped the caps from scoring what they did last night? Go back to every goal. A mistake/turnover led to 4 of them. A shitty deflection off a skate straight to Backstrom’s blade scored the 5th. A shutdown D man is going to make mistakes just like every player in the league makes mistakes. The caps goals last night weren’t the result of getting out-muscled or or anything that a shutdown D man would have prevented. They sniped the hell out of every chance they got and scored on them.

I know this will sound like an apologist here but really I think we need to keep some perspective. We got beat by a better team last night who took advantage of just about every opportunity they had. Doesn’t make us a terrible team or on the verge of packing it in for the season. The canes still have a winning record! Lets lay off the freaking out for a while and see what happens. Again, their efford in the first half was fine! They outhit, outchanced, and shot evenly with the caps. Hard to fault that.

—Justin

I’ve been a season ticket holder since 2001. Last nights game was the first time (including the horrible seasons of 02-03, and 03-04) that I felt like I had wasted my money on a game. It was shameful and dreadful… If the coach can’t get any more than what we saw last night from the players he has on his team then he has no business coaching pro hockey… Forget the players being embarrassed by their performance… I was embarrassed for them!!! Hell… Screw ’em… I was embarrassed for ME!!!

I also wonder if the only way a guy like Staal is going to play w/ any heart (and earn his dang money) is if other players are hurt and he knows that he is going to be the one to do the work. Last night was the first time in a few weeks we had most of our lineup healthy…. and Staal (for the most part) stood around waiting for his shift to end and possibly hoping that someone else would work at scoring goals (Thanks Scott Walker). I guess he did take a good punch to the face… which probably wasn’t earned but it was well deserved.

I am totally put out w/ our team this morning! If coach has a backbone at all then he will be skating their butts off in practice this morning….. And a couple of them shouldn’t be allowed to practice… they should be put on bicycle and garbage duty…. and see if they have and damned feelings about that!

Jonathan,

Well for one a true shutdown guy would have been back and in position on Semin’s first. U think you missed my point. I want a Shutdown paring AND I want us to use what we have to make a grind line. The whoel problem with last night was Semin and Oven-Chicken has all the effin space in the world last night. A shutdown pairing would impede there entry in to the zone, and your grind line takes away space.

Additionally, I think last night, and you examples proves my point exactly. A team or a player who is not feeling the pressure to produce on a 5 on 3 ( because the team /player has yet to do so) probably makes one of those 3 golden opportunities.

99.9 was asking who was the best line last night.

the best line before sutter got hurt was easily the larose, sutter, bayda line.

we need that one back together.

it was GREAT to see sutter right back on top of this game, making a diffference, i love this kid.

he and staal are going to be a force to reckon with once staal gets back to 100% and could possibly run a line together, if sutter takes a wing.
 either way though, sutter is a big part ofthis teams future and looked great last night.
-c

I am holding judgement until everyone has had a chance to come back from injury. I think each fan’s expectation is so high that when we don’t win people are highly disappointed. I have mentioned before I don’t know all of the X’s and O’s of hockey, but I attend about 30 games a year for the past 7 years so I limited on commenting intelligently, but my opinion is that the lines have been switched so many times it is hard to get any offensive flow and I think that reflects in the low scoring chances we seem to have. That’s why I think once the majority returns we can stabalize some lines so play will get better. But on the other hand it baffles me how players are not self motivated to play hard, regardless of the coach, when all you hear each player say the primary reason I play is the chance to win the Cup and after every game they talk about bettering their effort.

AND
i agree. the game last night sucked to watch.
but the players were right.

its not the end of the world.
mistakes turned into goals.
and that doesnt always happen, sometimes the bounces go your way.
staals not 100%, but it was frustrating to hear the people sitting around me at the game, talking smack about staal all night.
its not like he was just standing around complaining.

that kind of ignorance from fellow fans makes me mad.
-c

Last night, out context is just one bad game, I agree. But when you put it in the context of the last 4 games, or even the season at large, it is concerning. Forget the record, and look at the over all execution. It has not been there except on a handful of occasions. I am not calling out anyone,even when I was saying Leighton should get the start, it was more a comment on who I thought better earned the start than it was to bag on Ward.

Someone in the organization needs to recognize that last night was not just a game, it was a microscosm for the season so far.

If it’s any consolation to you Canes fans, just imagine having to watch the Lightning play. Now don’t you all feel better? If you want comical relief after your game last night, watch the Lightning-Wings game tonight. They probably should have a Mercy rule!

Wylde:
I disagree that a shutdown pairing impeding entry into the zone would have affected any of the goals last night. There were turnovers (mistakes) that led to the goals, not the natural flow of the offense for the caps. Also, keep in mind that no one shutdown ovechkin last year. He’s a freak of nature and so is semin. These games will happen. Now I’m with you that the Atlanta game was piss-poor but I’ll argue all day long that their effort against Ottawa and the caps before that was bad. They beat Ottawa and played a very solid defensive game. Heatly/Spezza didn’t produce. The game before that they outplayed the caps all game except for the last 2 mins where they broke down. That sucks that they broke down but it doesn’t mean they need major restructuring because they outplayed a team for only 58 out of 60 mins.

Justin and all.

D is a good thing. Mistakes happened last night. When you watch Lidstrom and Rafalski it’s almost like a synchronized event. I used to hate Rafalsky with a purple passion (along with the devils in general)but now it’s fun watching those two guys just know where to be. That’s what we are missing. Granted Lidstrom and Rafalski are among the great players. They make the right choices and do the right things because they are comfy in the system. They know the forwards are coming back BEFORE they get in trouble. They know where the outlet guy is. They know how to work the system they play. Our guys look like they have no clue. I disagree with afew here and I think Joni will be great. I think Corvo could be great. Gleason better be great, I just ordered a dam jersey with him on it. Wallin is having a good year. I think our D talent is good. They have no system to utilize the skills they have. No bady has any line they are comfy with right now. So our forwards have no set system or rythem they can going to use the skills they have.

I think it’s kind of a duh huh, but can anyone say Roddy doesn’t grasp the game? So why doesn’t a guy like that, the captain have a steady reliable line and system?

You all know my answer, but seriously think about it. Even hurt Rods a force on a face off and should have a sharpshooter to win it to and a energetic and gritty other side. The D has to play together with all the lines to develope a consistant style of play and get the rythem.

I really felt bad for the fans and the players. I think that was the turd in the soup. Skating the hell outta the boys, yelling, bringing guys up or down, trades, none of that will cure what is ailing this team.

Somewhere they lost heart.

A

All this and the flu around the corner. The worst is yet to come.

1) Have to totally agree. No emotion indeed. Why is the biggest question. Most folks anticipated a grudge rematch after last weeks last minute winner.
2) Agree that hitting Semin and Backstrom would have thrown them off their games. Ovechkin not so much. They only had that one line working, so hoding them down to 2 or less goals would have been a difference.
3) Whats wrong with Staal. He’s now the 3rd best Staal in the NHL. 2 missed lay-ups on a 5-3 was the difference in many ways. Also Leighton didn’t look too sharp.
4) Yes, Lavy needs to take some heat for the team apparently not looking ready to compete, but the roster has enough vets that he shouldn’t have to jump up and down to get them focused

I read this site all of the time and this is the first time that have been truly compelled to write in. I am probably what you would consider a hockey novice. I grew up watching the Capitals when they were truly terrible (in the 80’s) but did not become a real hockey fan until the Hurricanes came to Carolina. So, I may have a limited hockey IQ but I am a former college athlete and the daughter of a coach so my opinions regarding every sport that I watch are framed through that lens. What I witnessed from section 127 last night was ridiculous. First, they acted like it was the first time that had ever played together. There are basics to every sport that are so engrained that it should be like breathing and I am sure that holds true in hockey. Ruutu didn’t seem to have problem last year playing in his first game after running off of a plane and saying hi to his new teammates for the first time on the bench. Why was it so difficult last night? Second, why don’t we hit Ovechkin? The times in the past that we have beaten the Caps, the Canes spent half the night pasting him to the boards. When we do this he retaliates and whines and then gets out of is game. Then Bradshear fights and then he is out of the game for awhile. Its a win, win. Third, can someone answer why the refs jump in and blanket Ovechkin if he gets into a tussle. Last night he hit Bayda who in turn knocked down Sutter who then retaliated by shoving Ovechkin. Then the ref drapes his body over Ovechkin. But when Staal takes a cheap shot or is jumped on they do nothing. Doesn’t Ovechikin have Bradshear to protect him? He doesn’t need the refs too. But by the same token, Staal needs to stop looking for a call every time he gets knocked down. He spends a lot of time melting the ice looking for a call that is never going to come. I remember my coach yelling at us when we were laying on the field looking for a call to “get the hell up, you are killing my grass!” Finally, when will we hit someone, anyone? My 7 year olds hockey team hits more than the Canes did last night and their hitting is purely by accident. If you knew that you are going to take solid body contact when you come across the blue line with the puck you might grip the stick a little tighter and you just my hesitate enough and make a mistake….kind of like what the Canes did last night.

Wylde,
I agreed with your statement that we need a hardcore defenseman. My question to you was, who is out there that we can get and who would we trade? I think we do need something more solid to help out Ward.

I also think as I have stated before is the fact that right now we are playing with a 3/4th put together hockey team. I cant wait to get Williams, Kaberle and others TRUELY healthy. Then we will see what this team is made of. But in the meantime, we HAVE to start winning games. I feel good about our next two games! With those two games, I think we will see what the future of this season holds.

fauxrumors,
I didnt think Leighton looked sharp either. Im not pinning this loss on him( like I havent pinned 95% of Wards losses on him) but he did seem to over commit to early which left the goal wide open. Honestly this game could have been 8-1 easily if it wouldnt have been for Gleason jumping in front of the net and the Caps just “toying” with us late in the game.

We need Ward to get back in goal, play up to his best potential and take leadership of this team because it is obvious that Staal and Rod arent taking on that role right now!

Good, interesting comments from all.

New today from LSB-

Jim Rutherford doesn’t sound happy.

“But that doesn’t excuse how you go about playing the games. There’s no excuse for visiting teams to come into our building, in front of our fans, and outwork us in all parts of the game.”

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/rutherford-concerned-about-work-ethic

In addition to all of the great comments I would like to add that we need someone to park in front of the net, a la Holstrom, that when a puck gets near, a good bounce or deflection may happen.

It seems when cycling and there are 3 Canes on the boards and no one in front of the net, except for defenders.

This is my 1st season as a season ticket holder after going to about 20 games last year and I’m starting to 2nd guess my decision. I spent last year learning the game and the team so this year I feel I have a pretty good general understanding of it all. I was really disappointed last night in our passing, lack of putting people into the boards and whatever in the hell you want to call that crap they called a power play last night. I hated the fact I had to boo the home team but it was just awful. I know growing up playing football, if we didn’t hustle, we’d run until everyone was puking their guts out. I think our team has gotten a little complacent and needs to be reminded that people are paying their money to come watch them play and having them skate until they puke would probably do them some good.

From Luke at the N&O and Talking Points:

Tim Gleason’s brow was still streaming sweat, with no signs of stopping, when he sat down at his locker after a long, tough practice Thursday.

"That’s what happens when you suck," the Hurricanes defenseman said. "Go ahead and write that down."

Thank God for the Carolina Panthers. A true 60 min effort team that I can watch play with out the tendency to throw up every 30 seconds. Every one of us is saying and feeling the same way about this disgusting, lack of motivation, and lack of caring that this is doing right now.

But the big question that Cory asked is: does the organization or the team overall really care? One way that we as the fan base can get their attention is to boycott the games. I realize it is an off the wall crazy thing to do in such a young season right now, but how much worse can this get? After last night, I can’t think of anyway that it can.

We as the fans pay for this team to run. If they don’t care, then we shouldn’t. Stop going to the games until this lackluster, lifeless, uninspired, Keystone Cops of a team understands that we are not happy with it.

I’m sick of the quotes I here from players and coaches alike such as this one from Walker: “We’re just not getting it done. It’s not one guy; it’s everybody. We’re all a step behind. It’s unacceptable. We have to take a pretty long look in the mirror at ourselves.” Really? No shit asshole. We pay your salaries to watch you play like you did on Wednesday night? No, not my money. I will not spend a penny on tickets, or merchandise from this team until they play consistently well on a night in night out basis. At least for the love of God look like you are at least pretending to be in the game.

If you guys want a winning team, go to the Carolina Panthers for this season, because I don’t think this Canes team gives a sh!t about anything this year.

My God, these are some very interesting comments. Great stuff people.

For me, it comes down to one thing. Respect. The Canes aren’t getting any and they are giving too much. Clearly, the league has decided to just punch the Canes in the mouth to beat them. You cannot argue with this tactic, it works. Washington has no respect for this team at all. There is no tuffness. It is a simple equation, if someone disrespects you or your team, you take them to task. Everytime. If you don’t, this is what happens.

I find it hard to believe Staal is anything but a winner. He is hurt. it is clear that he is playing with a bum shoulder. Rod Brind’Amour said the other night that his
-10 was because he was just comming over the boards when the other team scores. This is your captain speaking? What?/?? This team played great after Rod was hurt last year. The kids were fast, hungry and great fun to watch. Eric Staal was thriving as the defacto captain. I mean why is that not the team that you put on the ice? Honestly, this team will not make the playoffs under Brind’amour. He is hurt and not the player he was a few years ago. This time comes in everyone’s career. He reminds me of Ronnie when it was time to hang them up. Sure he can win you a faceoff but can’t out-skate your grandmother.

I am sure this goes back to last year and the whole leaving without giving the exit interviews. Clearly that pissed JR off and that is when all this started going south. Laviolette has lost his team. If you are going to battle with an iron fist and Brandon Sutter gets bludgened, you cannot just stand there and take it. You have to retaliate. The Canes reaction to that hit was seen all over the league. Shameful.

I’m with Ivan on the boycott thing. I’ve been thinking about it for a while (last season) but never mentioned it because I knew it wouldn’t fly.

I am tired of the same answers every time they do badly.
No jam….Flat footed….58 minutes….hung out to dry….

I think a boycott is in order. An empty stadium would send a clear message. The booing last night was just an appetizer.

Can’t remember where I read this but someone suggested that there should be a money back policy when the team does not show up to play. In this economy, going to a game is a luxury. I know they won’t/can’t win every game, but they should play like they want to.

Yeah….I think it’s time to move on regarding Coach L. Thanks for the cup…but what have you done for me lately?

…and…I don’t mind losing as long as there was effort there…i.e. Red Wings game…

Come on guys…play until the final horn…I don’t care what the score is.

Why? We’ll probably get blown out by Tampa.

Staal is a winner, he is playing hurt and gripping the stick to tightly right now. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS BIG CONTRACT SIGNED DURING THE OF-SEASON, WHICH DOESN’T START UNTIL NEXT SEASON BTW…
WE HAVE THE TALENT TO BE A GOOD, COMPETITIVE TEAM, BUT TO BE AN ELITE TEAM YOU HAVE TO HAVE ELITE PLAYERS. STAAL AND PITKANEN ARE THE ONLY PLAYERS PLAYING NOW WHO CAN BE ELITE PLAYERS. SUTTER IN A FEW YEARS…JUSTIN IF HE CAN REGAIN HIS FORM….RUTUU IF HE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
ERIC STAAL IS PLAYING HURT PROLLY A SHOULDER INJURED IN THE FIRST FEW GAMES, YET HE IS STILL WITHOUT A DOUBT OUR BEST PLAYER…
THESE GUYS NEED SOME MOTIVATION, MAYBE TOM ROWE IS THE WAY TO GO

I will admit that the effort trailed off last night – after it was 5-1 and halfway through the third. I do not think we lost to the Caps because of a lack of effort. We lost because we made mistakes that led to losses of possession and the Caps took advantage of the opportunities they had. We made the mistakes we did because of a lack of confidence. We lose the puck in our own end while facing the oncoming forecheck (this happens way too often). We turn the puck over in the offensive zone with hurried passes and errant skating. Our guys have the skill to play and win. In my opinion – and I know it is not a popular one – they are giving the effort. Did Staal miss that empty net one timer because he wasn’t trying? Does Corvo get too cute in his own end, make bad passes and turn the puck over to the forecheckers (he does this a lot) because he isn’t trying? No. They currently lack confidence – especially when the puck is on their stick.

The Caps, on the other hand, played with remarkable precision and displayed a wealth of confidence. That, in my opinion, is the largest difference between these two teams.

I see your point sluv, but would you say the same thing that you said about the caps about the thrashers? Are they as good as washington? No, but the Canes lack of effort and uncanny ability to just give up in games has hurt them tremendously. You also point out the numerous mistakes we make. Why does this team make so many mistakes? I could understand a lapse here or there, but at least two of the goals against the caps and perhaps two from the thrashers came from horrible passes in the offensive zone that led to 2-1’s and to goals. To me that represents a lack of concentration and a lack of effort.

Confidence is only one of a few things this team is missing this year. Unless the coaching or leadership shows up, none of these problems are going to be resolved.

Sluv made my point much more eloquently than I did but its essentially the same point. Last Wednesday’s game doesn’t indicate this team doesn’t care.

Ivan:
The Thrashers game is a totally differen beast. If you ask me its because the team was exhausted after playing 3 games in less than 4 days. They were emotionally drained from the caps loss Thursday after expending tons of energy that game. The next night they play an incredibly solid defensive game…yet more energy. I just don’t think they had anything left in the tank. I wish they had and the great teams get it done regardless but I don’t think it shows this team doesn’t care or doesn’t WANT to win.

Tonight will be a good indicator. Lets hope for more good effort but more importantly, finishing chances and like Sluv said…CONFIDENCE!