Mo Must Go? Nope

by Cory Lavalette on Jan 8, 2009 1:22 AM EST

Let's give credit where credit is due: when GM Jim Rutherford decided to bring back Paul Maurice, he knew that polishing off a beat-up souvenir from the Hurricanes' mantle would not be a fan-friendly move.

Like I wrote the day after Maurice was brought in to replace Peter Laviolette, it was a no-lose situation for Rutherford as far as team management was considered. He had a familiar face whose transition would be as seamless as possible, plus he brought him in on a balance-of-the-season contract that would allow both parties to walk away if the move backfired.

The bigger issue was the perception of the situation. Many fans saw this as Rutherford taking the easy way out and, for the umpteenth time, revisiting a past employee that left to a chorus of boos (see David Tanabe or Josef Vasicek, to name a couple).

Of course, there has been some success bringing an old face back to Raleigh. Ryan Bayda's return to Carolina has been fruitful. Matt Cullen, while not the player he was during the Stanley Cup run, is a fan favorite and capable of being the best player on the ice on any given night. Anton Babchuk's return from Russia has been a case study in how to forgive and forget.

Add Maurice to that list.

There's no denying that Maurice has abandoned Laviolette's high-flying style, instead installing more of a defense-first approach. It does incorporate more forward creativity and defensive involvement than the previous Maurice era. But the effort to limit opposing chances, specifically the odd-man rushes that had become prevalent this season under Laviolette, are easily noticeable — and also not as exciting as Laviolette's back-and-forth pace. But fans — along with players and general managers — notice one thing above all else: wins.

And Maurice is winning.

Since taking over, Coach Mo has led the Canes to wins in nine of 16 games and managed points in all but four. The 21 points over that stretch work out to 107.63 points over the course of an 82-game season. Under Maurice, the team has allowed one more goal than they've scored (44 against, 43 for), but Carolina is plus-two on the scoreboard since Cam Ward came back from injury 12 games ago (32 for, 30 against). While it's only a slight improvement, it could be the difference between going to the playoffs and staying home.

For the season, Carolina is still among the worst in goal differential among teams currently holding a playoff spot at minus-eight (110 for vs. 118 against). No other team in the top eight of the Eastern Conference has given up more goals than they've scored, and only Phoenix, at minus-16, is in the red with the Hurricanes among those in the playoffs if the season ended today (the Coyotes currently hold the Western Conference's final postseason slot).

But under Maurice, the numbers have leveled off.

There has also been better special teams play, a key in this era.

The Hurricanes have averaged exactly one power play goal per game under Maurice and new PP architect Ron Francis through 16 games, eclipsing the 15 extra-man markers the team had under Laviolette in the first 25 games of the season. Carolina has scored with the man advantage in four straight, and also in nine of the past 11. In contrast, Laviolette's final game behind the bench Nov. 30 marked the sixth straight game the Canes hadn't scored on the power play — in 25 opportunities.

The team has also drastically cut down on its penalty minutes (which were already low compared to the rest of the league). The Canes haven't had double-digit penalty minutes in nine games (they now average a league-low 10.1 PIMs per game, 30 seconds less than No. 2 Detroit's 10.6), and while they've allowed 13 power-play goals under Maurice, only two have been scored in the past five games.

Maurice has also leaned on Ward, and the heavy workload has benefitted the young goalie — and the team — so far. He's unbeaten in four straight, not allowing more than two goals in any of those games, and is 8-2-1 under Maurice.

Establishing and running with a No. 1 goalie is something Maurice has done throughout his coaching career. The Hurricanes brought in Arturs Irbe for the 1998-99 season, and Maurice played him an average of 71 games the next three seasons, including 77 in 2000-01. Irbe played 51 more the next year, splitting the net with current Canes goalie coach Tom Barrasso. In Toronto, Maurice used Andrew Raycroft 72 times in 2006-07 (not that he had much of a choice) and Vesa Toskala in 66 games last season. Ward played in 69 games last year, and with 29 appearances at the halfway point — with several games lost to injury — he would need to start literally every night to have a chance to match or exceed his total from 2007-08. But with the way Ward is playing behind the rebuilt scheme, it would be surprising if he didn't reach at least 60.

And that brings us back to team defense. Ward has benefited from the aforementioned defensive changes, but the Hurricanes have also scored at about the same pace they have for the entire season. Yes, the team is totally healthy for the first time in a long time, but Maurice also showed he could utilize four AHL defensemen in one night and still compete. The games have been closer on a night-to-night basis, but more often than not Carolina is coming out on top. And that's a credit to Maurice.

Everyone — the players, management, fans and media — have again become believers of this franchise. I don't think anyone's quite ready to give Maurice a multi-year extension and anoint him the long-term solution behind the RBC Center home bench. But I don't hear any "Mo Must Go" chants either.

And that's a credit to Rutherford.

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Comments

Enjoyed the article Cory, nice! It’s hard to argue with success, plus the team seems to be putting in more consistent efforts of late. Hopefully, this can continue.

by Bubba on Jan 8, 2009 2:13 AM EST reply actions

Anyone feel a trade coming up? I think a sniper is on JR’s shopping list.

by Paladin6 on Jan 8, 2009 5:43 AM EST reply actions

Nice piece. I was wondering if you see any difference in Mo’s style from when he was here last. When he was rehired everybody complained that we would go back to the dump and chase and be a more defensive team which would lead to boring hockey. I also remember Mo saying during his press conference that there are different players now and this team is built differently then when he was here last and he wasn’t going to change the style that much. But obviously he has gone back to his bread and butter and focused on defense, but is his style of play the same it was when he was here previously?

by hotchipsnsalsa on Jan 8, 2009 7:55 AM EST reply actions

Hey Cory,

People around here are normally very quick to compliment your work, but I want to say this is one of your best pieces period. Thanks to you and Bubba for giving us one of the best blogs in the league!

by wylde4canes on Jan 8, 2009 8:30 AM EST reply actions

I’ve actually found there’s much less dump and chase than even under Laviolette. The team’s inability to retrieve the puck earlier in the year was the most frustrating thing for me as a fan, and since Mo’s taken over there’s been a lot more carrying the puck through the neutral zone and across the blue line. With the type of players the team has, puck possession is so important. Staal and Samsonov, though different in style, can both hold the puck in the attack zone and make defenders chase them w/o sacrificing possession. Whitney, Cullen and Walker, too. Outside of the defensive changes, that’s stood out to me.

by Cory on Jan 8, 2009 8:34 AM EST reply actions

thx Wylde!

by Cory on Jan 8, 2009 8:34 AM EST reply actions

Cory

I couldn’t agree more about less dump and chase. I am a newish Canes fan who was worried when I heard about the ‘boring’ style Mo used to play. But after watching him for a month I am finding the games MUCH more enjoyable to watch. The never ending dump and chase was driving me insane!

by TOS on Jan 8, 2009 9:00 AM EST reply actions

I have to agree. I don’t really notice a big step-back in the offensive side of the game. On the contrary, the power play is much improved under Maurice and Francis (as you noted).

But the defense is night and day. Very few odd man rushes and breakdowns. The team seems to be positioned correctly as opposed to “chasing” in the defensive zone. Also, they seem to be looking for the right play out of the zone instead of just throwing it up the boards and hoping for the best.

by Eric on Jan 8, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions

Great piece. As much as i despise JR it is looking like he hit a home run in bringing MO back. There is alot of hockey left to play and i am still having my doubts. But i am very hopefull, its hard to think of this team being boring even with the old style of MoHockey. The players on this team would still make it exciting.

I love the random comment about JR’s cooking up a trade. When is he not trying to? lol

by blacklisted on Jan 8, 2009 9:25 AM EST reply actions

Laviolette’s offensive breakout scheme (which wasn’t exactly much of a scheme) was driving me absolutely up the wall by the time he was let go here. My favorite thing that Mo has done is in regards to that. There is much more care in slowing down the game once we get possession in our own zone, and a lot of passing between the defensemen to set up the breakout and wait for someone to hit the neutral zone with speed so they can carry the puck in through the defenders. I find a more tactical style such as this more entertaining to watch than a “skate them into oblivion” sort of style.

by DaleCooper on Jan 8, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions

Great article. Thanks guys. I think we all underestimate JR sometimes. His moves usually seem questionable, but almost every time they work out for the better.

As for our team, the turn around still blows my mind. I honestly didn’t expect this when they brought Mo back. Not only with the defence, but look at players like Staal and Sammy. Now they’re playing like we all knew they could. And thank you Mo for keeping lines together!!! Haha. I’m still nervous but stoked about the rest of the season. Should be exciting :-)

by T-Leaf on Jan 8, 2009 10:12 AM EST reply actions

I also enjoy listening to what Mo has to say before and after games. The way he discusses the varying styles of opponents and how that affects our game plan. I never felt like I got that from Laviolette.

by TOS on Jan 8, 2009 10:12 AM EST reply actions

I agree that hockey has become more interesting, and more fun. Watching dump and chase, desperation heaves in the defensive end, multiple odd man rushes every game, and goalies giving up softies often, got very frustrating. Not to mention the ever present post game comments on lack of “jump” or effort. Watching 19 skaters working together, putting out 60 minutes of effort is a real treat. This isn’t boring hockey, it’s good basic fun hockey, and I’m loving it so far.

by ncyankee on Jan 8, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions

t leaf, i have to agree with you man

lets not look at the returning team after the cup. there were some very tough choices to make ala aaron ward,recchi and the such. Jim missed on commodore and frankie badly, but i dont think anyone saw that coming.
the big ones obviously are…
Ladd for ruutu
cole for joni

I like both of these trades VERY much and i think no doubt helped our team in major fashion. (as much as doubted the later acquisition when it happend)

another “big one” comes to mind with the stiller and Commy for corvo and eaves. another win for jim imo even more so if you figure that stillman was a rfa at the end of the year and we could have resigned him (which i thought we would do)

so all in all, yes i think that jim has our best intrest at heart and does a fine job at that.

by Charles on Jan 8, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions

I meant UFA for stillman, sorry.

by Charles on Jan 8, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions

paladin,

who is on your mind?
whom do you forsee?

-chrisj

by chris j on Jan 8, 2009 12:04 PM EST reply actions

i still think cole at the end of the season is a good pick up.

possibly before trade deadline if edmonton is out and we are in.

but he is definitely worth a look during the offseason.

-chris j

by chris j on Jan 8, 2009 12:06 PM EST reply actions

Haha… Good point T-Leaf.. way to go DUDE!!! hahaha…

Ok… Seriously. I never disliked Mo… but I can see a great difference in the new Mo from the old Mo… Anyone else who was following this team during the days of the first Mo can back me up…

it didn’t seem that he did all that great in his stint w/ Toronto… but given the situation up there… I don’t know if even someone like Scotty Bowman could have made much more of that mess in Toronto…

But for sure… it is obvious that coach Mo became quite seasoned during his time away… I’m happy for him… and happy for our team as well….

by Mateo on Jan 8, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Very funny Mateo. But I’m not a dude….just to clear things up :-P

by T-Leaf on Jan 8, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions

Don’t know and quit trying to figure JR out awhile back. There just seems to be a rythem he follows and swapping Lavi out for Mo I still think was just the beginning. I think a good size forward with a good shot and puck skills is on the list. That said I have no clue who they’d bring in let alone who’d go. A skilled big front guy is always pricey…..

It just feels like the lull before Recchi/Weight, just without the cohesion.

T-leaf, not a dude? Hmmm?

****insert something shy of creative, yet crude****

A ;-)

by Paladin6 on Jan 8, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions

I made a funny :-P

by Mateo on Jan 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions

One thing that i learned after the anouncement was made about mo is that he was very well like in toronto. Reading comments from leaf fans and players this guy was missed. They all commented on his ability as a taction (sp) as well has his realtionship to the media. The first thing I thought was: Defense oriented coach with talented offensive forwards, could turn out to be a great situation.

I for one prefer a defensive team, I think that if you look across all sports defence wins championships.

IMO Mo has never had a team with this much talent (let alone a goalie of cams stature)

on another note, if we can get a top six forward with size (as mentioned above) and top four quality d man, there is no reason that lord stanleys cup should be out of reach. If this doesnt happen then we will need to play a bit over our head and have cam stand on his. (read 2002)

by Charles on Jan 8, 2009 4:52 PM EST reply actions

I still think T-Leaf is a man that knows what he’s talking about. But what I would like to know is where the money is going to come from to keep Ruutu next year, ( also Rosie is up too). Going to be very interesting……..

by canescup on Jan 8, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions