Hurricanes Mid Season Grades - updated
by Bob Harwood Waeghe on Jan 7, 2009 4:47 PM EST
14 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes have completed 41 games and are officially half-way through the regular season. Let's take a quick look at where they stand and grade the players based upon their individual performances so far.
The team has a record of 21-15-5, good for 47 points and seventh place in the Eastern Conference. While the Canes overall performance has been trending upward lately, if one looks at the record as a whole they are a borderline playoff team. Last season the Canes finished with 43 wins, had 92 points, and did not make the playoffs. The Bruins were the eighth seed with 94 points.
The good news is that the Hurricanes have played their best hockey in recent games and have won four in a row. The coaching change seems to have had the desired affect, (more about this later) and if the current trend continues the Canes should make the playoffs.
Some other good news is that the team is as healthy as it has been for two years. That certainly is an important factor going forward.
Can the Hurricanes improve? Most fans would probably think so. Let's pretend that we are in the coaching staff for a moment, and grade each player based upon their expectations, results, and performances so far this year.
Forwards-
Ray Whitney 13-21-34 (-8) Whitney has consistently been one of the leading scorers for the Canes all season. He has also been extremely durable this year and has yet to miss a single game. The winger has kept his penalties to a minimum, (8 PIM) and is pretty much on pace to equal his average scoring numbers. While he has never been known for his tough defense, his (plus/minus) is a touch high. Grade A-
Eric Staal 18-13-31 (+11) After a slow start, Staal has been playing recently more like he played at the end of last year. He leads the team with game winning goals, (4), shots on goal, (171), and his (plus/minus) is presently the highest that it has been his entire NHL career. His scoring numbers are probably down from where he would like them, but few would complain about 40 goals this year. Grade B+
Rod Brind'Amour 8-18-28 (-25) After a good start, Brind'Amour's scoring has dropped off a bit as well as possibly, his ability to play shut-down defense. Although some might say that his league worst (-25) is an aberration, others would say that the captain has slowed down a step or two and has problems making decisions with the puck from time to time. He is still one of the best in the faceoff circle and has yet to miss a game . His overall performance should be better though. Grade D
Tuomo Ruutu 12-13-25 (+2) Ruutu comes to play every night and leads the team with hits, (100) as well as shooting percentage (15.2%). (which means he should be shooting more). His scoring numbers could be higher, but it's hard to complain much about his overall game. Grade B+
Sergei Samsonov 8-14-22 (even) Samsonov had an atrocious start to the season but has come on very strong lately. For being a small player, he's savvy on defense and tries hard, (despite what his critics said from Chicago and Montreal). It's always fun to watch him control the puck, even if he does hold on to it too long at times. Grade B-
Matt Cullen 9-3-12 (+1) Cullen's numbers are way down from where they have been in recent years and while his overall game performance has been pretty good, the results have not been up to expectations, or to his payscale. More TOI and powerplay time would probably help, but one way or the other the team needs more point production out of him. Grade D
Scott Walker 2-7-9 (-5) Walker has missed 15 games due to various injuries and probably should get an incomplete grading. But his goal scoring is too low for his 26 games played, although he always brings a much needed grit when he is on the ice. Nice hustle game, but he needs to score more. Grade C
Chad LaRose 9-3-12 (-1) It's hard to ask more from a player making just 875K a year and getting the minutes that he gets to play. He skates hard, hits, hustles constantly, and is now out-scoring other players making twice or three times what he does, and he gets no powerplay time. When he was healthy scratched after the coaching change, he didn't pout, he went back to work and regained his previous position. His career high was 11 goals last year, can he get 20 this year? Grade A
Ryan Bayda 3-7-10 (+5) Bayda has also filled his role well. Surprisingly, when averaged in with TOI, he is rated as one of the top defensive forwards in the league. For a small guy, he tries to be tough when needed. With a salary of only 475K, again it's hard to ask much more. He is currently working on career highs in goals and assists, anything more is gravy. Grade A
Brandon Sutter 1-5-6 (+1) Sutter has done a very good job for a rookie. His penalty killing is usually excellent. He brings good energy when he is on the ice. But he needs to take advantage of his scoring opportunities when he gets them, and needs to work on his faceoffs. Most fans would like to see him get more TOI. Grade B+
Patrick Eaves 1-5-6 (+6) Eaves plays a nice physical game and has a good plus/minus, but has been a disappointment with his scoring. He has been moved around the lines, including time with Staal on the top line, but has not found his niche yet. Perhaps he is just a fourth line player, but if so he is overpaid. Grade D
Justin Williams 2-4-6 (-4) Did not play enough games, Incomplete grade.
Wade Brookbank 1-0-1 (even) Did not play enough games, Incomplete grade.
Defensemen-
Joni Pitkanen 4-15-19 (-1) Pitkanen also had a bit of a slow start as he was getting used to his teammates but has been one dependable performer for the past month or so. He leads the team with TOI and also leads all defensemen in scoring, while playing in only 33 games. The cool customer has an unsuspecting ability for stripping onrushing forwards of the puck. (If you are keeping score, he has outscored Erik Cole so far this year.) Grade B+
Joe Corvo 6-12-18 (+4) Corvo has also been an offensive dynamo as he and Pitkanen have outscored most of the forwards on the team. But the blueliner's defensive ability has always been a bit underrated as he has the best (plus/minus) on the team's defensive corps. Grade A-
Dennis Seidenberg 2-13-15 (-8) Seidenberg has been a pleasant surprise. He's been a steady force on offense and defense, leads the team with 95 blocked shots, and has 70 hits. He can get out of position at times playing defense, but what a bargain he has been for only 1.2 million this year. He will be in store for a nice payday next season though as he hits the market as an unrestricted free agent. Grade A-
Tim Gleason 0-8-8 (+2) Gleason is the vocal leader of the defense and is the most physical of the bunch. He is also a capable pugilist when necessary, which adds to his value. He leads the defense with 82 hits and plays a solid, positionally sound game. The only knock on him is his lack of offense. Grade B+
Nic Wallin 1-8-9 (even) Wallin has had a few injuries, but is known for his strong, physical game when he is at his best. He started off the season with a burst of offense, but has just returned back to action and has been quiet on that front. He was playing well enough before his latest injury that many fans started up an All Star campaign for him. Wallin has 73 hits and 42 blocked shots in only 29 games played. Grade B-
Anton Babchuk 3-5-8 (-4) Babchuk has really been on a tear of late and has been rewarded with more powerplay time as well as total TOI. He had a recent point streak going and picked up another nice assist in the latest game. But his grade encompasses the entire season, year-to-date and his play was inconsistent earlier. Grade C+
Frantisek Kaberle - 0-5-5 (even) Did not play enough games. Incomplete grade.
Goalies-
Cam Ward 16-9-3 GAA 2.44 SV% .914 Ward has had a few ups and downs in the first half of this season, but he is certainly in the swing of things at the present time. His 16 wins is 8th best in the league, his GAA is 14th, and his save percentage is 15th. But if you compared him with other goalies who performed in as many games as he has, those rankings go much higher. His numbers have improved every year. There is always room for improvement, but he has probably played above expectations so far and he should thrive in the new system. Grade B+
Michael Leighton 5-6-2 GAA 3.04 SV% .897 It's hard to believe that at one point in the year, Leighton had better stats than Ward did and some fans were clamoring for him to have more starts. He has had a rough few games recently though, and was forced to play when Ward was hurt and there were four defensemen up from Albany. It's not easy being the backup. Grade C
This is just one man's opinion. Agree or disagree, what do you think?
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and Bubba and Cory get a big time A++ for being such kickass bloggers!
by Wufpirate on Jan 7, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree about Cullen’s score…and Bayda’s score as well. I’m not sure if the stats pan out per min of ice time but I think Cullen has had a much better year than Brindamour yet they get the same grade from you. Cullen hasn’t had the top players on his line this year and they always seem a threat.
I also disagree with your assessment of Bayda. I love the guy and find no fault in his game…but we must be grading on a curve here. If we’re judging each player strictly on merits and not on expectations, clearly staal should not score below Bayda. Even scoring on a curve, I’m not sure Ryan would say he has been at the top of his game. He’s disappeared for a few games (I know…thats easy playing on the Canes’ 4th line).
—Justin
by Justin Walther on Jan 7, 2009 5:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Interesting comment about Brind’Amour, although I thought the D was a bit harsh. Hubby made an observation last week that he thinks the captain is playing like he’s as quick as he was pre-injury, instead of realizing he has to compensate for being a step slower. That made sense to me, and it made me think about why Glen Wesley was still good on defense even when he seemed a lot slower the last couple of years. Glen didn’t have the speed, but he compensated by using his experience and being in the right position, and it worked pretty damn well.
by CaniacMom on Jan 7, 2009 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Justin, I think you overlooked that Bubba’s “curve” considers the “expectations” for each player. At a salary of several million (too lazy to look up exact numbers for this year) vs. 500K, the expectations for Staal are much higher!
by CaniacMom on Jan 7, 2009 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wuf- You are an easy grader, but thanks!
Justin, I see your points and I was thinking as I was typing the same thing you were. While Brind’Amour’s and Cullen’s grades were the same, one could make an argument that Cullen had been playing better. But, look at the scoring results, Brind’Amour is the third leading scorer on the team. One could also argue that he deserves a higher score, regardless of how good or bad he has looked on the ice. While Cullen has played well, he has little to show for his efforts and scoring results should certainly be a criteria. For instance, Chad LaRose has equal the points at less than one third the salary.
In my reasoning, part of the grading process included whether or not a player was living up to their salary level. (expectations) But I could still see an argument made that Cullen should get a higher grade, as could Brind’Amour.
On the same tangent, of course Bayda is not a better player than Staal. But my point is, what do you expect from Bayda, or a similar player earning minimum wage on the 4rth line? Most other minimum earners around the league don’t have the stats that Bayda does.
(edit) Caniac Mom, you hit the nail on the head.
by Bubba on Jan 7, 2009 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Darn…I sure did completely skip over the part where you say your grades were based on salary, expectations, etc. My bad…teaches me not to skim over the always excellent material here on CC.
Back to my Cullen point..
I can see where Brindy has delivered more points but watching the 2 night and and night out , especially recently, I can’t help but feel I’d rather see Cullen out there more often than Rod.
And you’re right as usual about Bayda playing well for a 4th line guy. Here’s the thing though…yes Eaves makes more than Bayda but do you judge them similarly? Is Eaves really a 4th line guy? (NO!) I think we’re lucky right now having all these guys healthy that we can afford to have a 4th line like Eaves, Sutter, Bayda.
—Justin
by Justin Walther on Jan 7, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The diff., IMO, is Rod is still having flashes of making brilliant plays. He was better offensively earlier in the year, and is playing better (though still not up to standards) defensively now.
Cullen, like Eaves, is showing effort every shift — but the results aren’t there. Even the majority of his goals have been garbage goals. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing too dynamic about his play so far this year.
by Cory on Jan 7, 2009 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think LaRose is a bit overrated. He’s got skill but he’s way too small and weak. Opposing players knock him off the puck so easily. How about B instead?
by ThunderDumas on Jan 7, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
over all I agree…
I do however feel that Ruutu deserves at least the share of the highest grade. He plays harder, tougher, and with more passion than anyone else on the team. His numbers are good… He doesn’t get paid a TON… and he has really limited his penalties this season.
Me and my roommates are thinking about starting a new drinking game… shot of Jack every time Ruutu falls to the ice!! =)
by packpigskinfan25 on Jan 8, 2009 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
PPF – I second giving Ruu a higher grade. The passion and energy he showed consistently through that rough patch I think goes a long way (IMO). I know his numbers seem to have slipped recently, but perhaps because other players numbers have picked up? Anyways, I laugh (most) every time he falls too, so I’ll drink to that!
by Andrea on Jan 8, 2009 12:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
packpigskin,
that sounds like a drinking game after my own heart. ruu has been excelent and is more than able to replace erik cole on staals wing. He is a plesant suprise and I think he has the talent to be in the staal class of player. A great trade (and it looks like it worked out pretty well for both teams involved which is always a plus)
My only problem with ruutu is that he doesnt shoot enough. If he took 2/3rds the amount of shots that staal takes i think that their stats would be very very close.
but all that said I think I would give him a B plus. He has got to put the puck on net more often, his numbers while not all that bad do not reflect his talent or the talent that he is around. we will need more of him and sergei going forward. by the way he is only on pace to score 50 points. not nearly enough of a top line winger imo.
by Charles on Jan 8, 2009 1:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Justin that Cullen’s Grade is too low, he has looked awfully good at times and always seem to make the smart play. Yes he has had a couple of off nights but for the most part has been one of the most consistent 2 way forwards. He rarely has had the same line-mates for more than a game or 2 so scoring is going to suffer. In the past he was used at the point on the PP which aided his points totals but with our D that is no longer needed. He still plays on PP some but not nearly as large a role as in the past.
I am a huge Brindy fan and would prefer this not be a comment about him compared to Cullen. Since that is the way it is being framed should we not look at the difference to the team that a +1 vs. -25 means? Points are nice but when you are the 3rd line center and one of the primary PKs your job is certainly not centered around points. Yes every team would like to have a 3rd line center that had 60 pts a year but is that really what the primary focus for that position should be? I think Cullen is excellent and could move up to 2nd line center as needed and that is also a key to his value, he also has played wing at times this year on the top 2 lines.
By the way, I feel like the Captain is getting better each game and will soon be back to his old self. The -25 is unfortunate and obviously will not change overnight but his play now and in the months ahead is what will matter most to the team and hopefully the fans.
by Caniac324 on Jan 8, 2009 8:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I love Ruutu’s style of hockey and agree he needs to look to score more. When all three of them on the 1st line are chugging-they are pretty damn exciting to watch.
I think if Cullen is moved up to 2nd Line he maybe has 19 points midway. His offense we have seen in the past isnt there anymore. But his defense is lockdown. And his FO% is really looking up. and Moving Brindy down a line i think he would probly be at around same points he is at now. But with higher +/-. And i like CaniacMom’s comment he can be just as effective if is in position-he is used to be able to float around abit and still make the play. He cannot do that anymore with his age/health/speed.
Either way good grades for most part.
by blacklisted on Jan 8, 2009 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
gotta agree with the Corvo grade, great puckhandling skills, great skater and responsible defensively, i dont think you could ask anymore from what the organization considered an offensive defenseman, especially at his price tag. Apparently he left the “uh-oh” in Ottawa where it belonged.
by Mark on Jan 8, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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