Dwyer Recalled, Canes at Panthers Preview
by Bob Wage on Nov 24, 2008 2:10 PM EST
10 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes are in Sunrise, Florida tonight to take on the last place Florida Panthers, but don't expect a cakewalk for the Canes. They could be skating into a hornet's nest.
Florida's coach Peter DeBoer and general manager Jacques Martin have both recently called out the team and put them on notice. Big changes could be coming if they can not right the ship. Management recently placed Wade Belak on waivers. (He cleared the waiver wire and is available if they want to play him).
The big question is, could superstar defenseman Jay Bouwmeester be shipped out soon? The Panthers need scoring and they are having trouble signing this player. They will certainly trade him before the trade deadline, rather than risk losing him to free agency and get nothing in return when the season is over. But how long will they wait to pull the trigger?
If the team doesn't turn itself around soon, Bouwmeester might not be the only Panther shipped out of town.
Cory Stillman is injured as is Nick Boynton for the Floridians. Both are recovering from concussions.
For Panthers news, On Frozen Pond is calling this a "Big Week" for Florida, Floridapanthers.com is offering up "5 Things Everyone Should Know about Tonight's Game", and "Whale4ever" of The Litter Box is telling Caniacs to take a chill pill. According to him, the Canes has come to the right place if they need to break a one game losing streak.
We will see, whale-lover, we will see.
The Hurricanes played a disappointing game yesterday and will be looking for more energy in tonight's affair. They also suffered a couple of new injuries they need to recover from.
The team will definitely be minus one Patrick Eaves for this contest. Today they recalled Patrick Dwyer to take his spot. Dwyer has played seven games with the Hurricanes already this season and has yet to register a single point. He does fill in nicely on the penalty kill though.
I still do not have word about Tim Gleason as of yet. I have to assume that he will not play and that both Melichar and Babchuk will be used. Supposedly, Frank Kaberle is still about a week or so away from game action.
I also expect to see Michael Leighton in net, since this is the back end of a back-to-back situation. So far this season the Canes are 3-0 when faced in these situations, a huge reversal of year's past when they had a dismal record playing that second consecutive game.
Which Hurricanes team will show up for this game? The one which out-played Montreal and Phoenix, or the one that laid down in home games against Atlanta and Nashville? Game time is at 7:30 and it will be broadcast locally on FS Carolinas.
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Not having Patrick Eaves is no big lost( he’s always hurt or sick anyway), he doesn’t do much on the ice but take up space and salary. I think we should leave Dwyer up for awhile see what he can do, can’t be worst than Eaves. After two more games I’m assuming we have to pay him NHL money anyway. Got to have Gleason tonight….
by canescup on Nov 24, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions
I definitely like to see Dwyer out there on the PK, he knows what he’s doing. But I really would have liked to see Helminen or Dan for some scoring or Conboy for some enforcing. I think we could afford to rough a few people up. But yea, no big loss with Eaves there.
It better be a good game tonight! We still need some revenge on these guys from last season.
by T-Leaf on Nov 24, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply actions
I was hoping to throw together some “tidbits” but it looks like I won’t have the time.
Sorry!
by Cory on Nov 24, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions
Canescup and T-leaf your both right on in my book with your posts.
Eaves hasn’t showed me much for this team except really good at being injured. As far as that goes neither has Melichar and Babchuck, our million dollar each defenseman.
I think we could have that Rat-pack team back winning games with Dwyer, Helminen, Dan and Conboy. We would rock, but of course that is just a fantasy. Maybe we could call Santa!
by Caron on Nov 24, 2008 4:55 PM EST reply actions
Interesting thread as I throw my hat in on the “what has Eaves done lately” group. For the matter, he has yet to truly perform as anticipated at the NHL level period. IMO the Stillman-Commodore for Corvo-Eaves deal was a loss as it comes to Eaves. Corvo has been solid but Eaves can’t stay healthy and frankly doesn’t “think” the game very well. His on ice awareness isn’t what a forward should have. I find him out of place more times than not. With what little ice time per game he gets (little more than 11 minutes) I am shocked that he’s a plus 3 so far this year. Well not shocked but surprised. We all know that it’s our third-fourth line units getting the Offense in so I’ll settle on surprised. I still feel too many are playing hurt as Brind A’mour is a -14 so far. That’s just not right. Our boys can’t keep more than 1 complete game of consistency…and it’s all been on and off game in and game out. That tells me there are more injuries on the ice than we know. If that’s not the case than what is?? Because with Teams like the Predators and the Thrashers we should be kicking that ass instead of laying eggs. I’ll wager that the Canes skate hard tonight for maybe 40 minutes and that the power play will continue to be spotty at best. Here’s to hoping for a complete effort and a little consistency. Out…
by Eman on Nov 24, 2008 6:08 PM EST reply actions
I was at the game last night.
First, I was ashamed that the arena was only half full. Where are all the state and unc fans? Keep that up and this franchise will be gone. I am sure that turn out coming off a 3 game winning streak was very dishartening to the team.
Secondly, there is a trend that I have noticed. Teams that play agressive defense against the Canes a la Nashville, Washington, Detroit really seem to dominate this team. The Canes’ puck handling is a bit slow and the agressive defensive schemes really upset their flow. Teams like Florida, Tampa, Phoenix were a lot looser. The Canes looked deadly in those games.
What we know by now is
1) The Canes have absolutely no toughness, the league knows it too. Just go hard at the Canes and you will win.
2) The team is incapable of finishing a check.
3) The team is physically fragile.
4) Their power play is slow and predictable.
5) If you wait, turn overs will come.
6) Goal tending is weak and when it rains it pours. They will not steal a game against anyone.
How do you fix this stuff?
Justin Williams will help the toughness a bit. Make a trade to add someone who isn’t going to take any crap. Gary Roberts type.
Shoot more on the power play.
Alternate goal tenders until one clearly takes over.
For what it is worth…..
by Ken on Nov 24, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions
Forsland on 99.9 just stated again what we all keep saying… they need a “catalyst” that gives an emotional jolt to the team (while adding physicality, finishing checks, and protecting/enforcing for our fwds to prevent injuries and create “time and space”).
Enter Dan LaCouture and Conboy. PLEASE!!
by SamsonovFan on Nov 24, 2008 10:13 PM EST reply actions
Sending out LaCouture and Conboy for a few early shifts in the first period is what is necessary to wake everyone up and set the tone for the game. Seems to work in the past and be a tried-and-tested method for us. Ruutu is the only one playing consistent and physical hockey. (Ruutu as a write-in for the All-Star Game!!)
by SamsonovFan on Nov 24, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions
I think it would be in bad taste if “Canes Country” had a death pool. So I won’t profer my original idea of when Lavi get’s the ax.
How about:
What sparks this team, or when do they just throw in the towel?
I can’t see this going on for much longer and figure trades or firings are immenant. How about having us armchair GM’s speculate on what happens for some points or whatever.
BTW, no penalties last night was like an Eaves hat trick, who’d of thought?
Anyway, what ya think? I’m thinking theres gonna be some action from the front office, maybe even in the front office.
Were a month or so away from having all the trades in mind and going for it.
My guess is Lavi is gone, either Francis steps in for a brief run up for Rowe coming in before trade season or somebody else or Rowe gets thrown to the dogs and runs with it from day one. I’d also be looking for a trade probably multiple players. I think Williams/Kaberle gets back and hopefully are in good form and there will be a surplus of a few players that may make a trade interesting.
Ruutu and Larose can’t carry this team. They are trying and doing a dam good job. This play at this level from these players is pathetic.
You want to know why the stands are half empty (that’s right, not full)? These guys suck to watch most of the time. For the price of a ticket and a beer I can eat a Rib Eye and drink good scotch at the house and watch the miserable effort at home.
Steps off and kicks the soap box across the room…
A
by Paladin6 on Nov 25, 2008 6:43 AM EST reply actions
Paladin & Samsanov fan, I couldn’t agree more with you. I was cautiously optimistic before the start of the season, but felt we needed a physical presence on this team for it to work. The only thing that has changed is my optimism. Eaves needs to not be taking up a roster spot at this point, and our second and third scoring options can’t be carrying this team the way they have been all season. Goaltending is average, which is fine as long as your offense is above average and your scorers are scoring and your leaders are leading. At least Samsanov looks like he’s breaking through. I say give the C to Rutuu. He’s at least leading by example. Lock him up, JR.
And yeah, other teams will scarf up Lavi if we let him go, but the team just isn’t responding to him anymore. Like on the Isle. If your team isn’t winning, then you are not an effective coach.
by marc on Nov 25, 2008 8:35 AM EST reply actions
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