What's Wrong With the Canes?
by Bob Wage on Oct 23, 2009 7:15 AM EDT
62 comments
Passes at the feet. Shots high and wide. Inability to consistently win individual battles. Fans could probably make a long list of things that are going wrong for the Carolina Hurricanes so far this season. But how can the team fix these problems?
Both John Forslund and Chuck Kaiton have called out the work effort of some of the forwards for not getting into the "dirty areas" on the ice, but there is more to it than that.
There seems to be very little chemistry so far this season. Sometimes it looks like there are just a bunch of individuals skating around on the ice instead of a cohesive team. Often times they do not seem to work together very well or trust each other. For a group that went so far in the postseason just a few short months ago, it's surprising.
The term "panic button" is being thrown around the Caniac Nation quite a bit lately. Some are ready to push it now and others want to wait. But when is the right time for the coaching staff and for management to be concerned enough to do something? Is 8 -10 games into the season too early to be proactive?
Not for some teams.
Unhappy with the consistency of team play, the Boston Bruins traded Chuck Kobasew earlier this week to the Minnesota Wild for two prospects and a draft pick. Boston GM Peter Chiarelli had this to say to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun:
It was done for a variety of reasons," Chiarelli told ESPN.com on Monday. "One was that I wasn't really happy with the way we had started. But that wasn't the primary reason. Certainly, every time we go into a lull, I'm not going to do something like that, especially given what we accomplished last year."
No, but the message was sent to his players Sunday after a 3-4-0 start: wake up!
This is the same team which pulverized the Canes by a score of 7-2 in early October. They lost their leading goal scorer from last season, (Kessel) and have also had injuries to deal with.
One might assume that everything is peachy keen up in the nation's capital as the Washington Capitals are comfortably sitting in the division lead, but that team has one angry head coach. Bruce Boudreau bagskated his team earlier this week. Check out these Tweets from Caps beat writer Tarik El Bashir:
Coach Boudreau just put the players through their paces. Long, hard skate after drills has many players doubled over.
Coach BB isn't happy. He's skating the players very hard for the second straight day. He's screaming at them during suicides.
Boudreau is still yelling -- and the players are still sprinting blueline to blueline. Not sure I've ever seen Coach skate 'em this hard.
Some might say, this is how champions are made. Others would say that you can lose a team just as easily with this treatment. Regardless, even though the team is winning they have a coach who is obviously not satisfied with mediocrity. (For the record, Alexander Semin did not skate the next morning due to an "illness" and he did not play in Washington's 5-4 win over Atlanta last night).
At least two other NHL teams have gone through a similar ritual this young season, the Habs and Leafs. Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail discusses the pros and cons of the coaching strategy in this excellent article.
If they continue to lose, could the Hurricanes be headed for a bagskate? Would it work to shake things up or would it alienate this veteran team from the coaching staff?
General Manager Jim Rutherford is a patient man. He usually waits until December to make adjustments if the club needs it. Fans should not expect any coaching changes this season though, regardless of what happens with the team. Maurice just signed a three year contract and he won't be going anywhere, anytime soon.
But Rutherford does have options. Carolina is blessed with some top line talent in Albany, just chomping at the bit for an opportunity to play in the NHL. The organization would prefer that they have a chance to learn and grow in the minors, but there are several positives to inserting youthful exuberance into a group of comfortable veterans. It has a tendency to shake everyone up. The biggest question is, how long should Rutherford wait?
One thing for certain, fans are not the only ones disappointed in the team's poor start. The franchise has spent more money than ever before on player's salaries this season, almost to the limit of the salary cap. If things don't change, they can not afford to sit idly by and watch this team's playoffs hopes go down the drain.
The next two games for the Hurricanes could be key.
____
Hockeymom will post some "Clippings" during the lunch hour and I will have a preview for tonight's game between the Canes and Avs later this afternoon. TGIF!
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What's wrong?
I don’t think JR can wait until December to do something this year. If they don’t win at least one of the next two games (and they really need to win both of them) – something has to happen. Sitting a couple of players would make a huge statement and I do believe it needs to be done. I would love to see Sutter/Boychuk and maybe even Bowman up here on one line and played 15 minutes a night – The team is missing energy and my biggest concern going into this season was the youthful energy most teams have is missing from this team.
Also – where is the captain? Maybe the ‘C’ needs to go to someone else.
by livingthelife59 on Oct 23, 2009 7:29 AM EDT reply actions
I haven’t had a problem with Roddy’s play this season. For our 3rd line center, he’s doing just fine. I’ve even seen a few flashes of the Roddy of 05-06 which is nice.
Or are you looking more at his leadership skills? Maybe hoping for a passionate, speech on the bench? Or maybe some yelling in the locker room? Because you’re looking at the wrong person for that. He never has been, and never will be, an in your face captain. He leads by example not by cutting other guys down. We don’t know what goes on in the locker room so he may have already said something or maybe he’s just doing his thing (i.e. working hard all the time) and hoping people will follow his lead. And don’t forget there are two alternate captains and quite a few vets on the team, anyone of whom could say something if they felt it was necessary. I just think giving the C to someone else (whom I am assuming would be Staal) at this point in the season would send the wrong message.
It's not up to the guy wearing the "C"
The guys behind the bench and the guys wearing the “A” also are part of the solution.
If one is going to pull the “C”, pull the “A”, at least on Staal. Whitney is playing and playing hard.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
I think we're in agreement?
I’m less inclined to put as much weight on the coaches as I am on the players themselves. While they do play a part in preparing the team (and thus far, I don’t think they’ve done an outstanding job by any means), these guys are professional athletes. By now they should be able to, for lack of a better word, police themselves. And that should come from the entire team, not just the captain. It starts there, but it can’t stop there.
Sounds like a good way for Mo to completely lose Staal. Considering as how we (right or wrong) have pinned our future hopes on the man, that is not a grand idea.
Staal is the fashionable target right now, but we all know he is a streaky guy. The problem is as much up and down the line as it is his. Also, regarding Roddy, I have to echo the sentiments of some here (including CG). Rod is playing his role. We all have to remember that Rod’s in the twilight, and that our Captain does not have to be the best player on the ice. Dave Andreychuck hoisting the cup comes to mind……..
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed I also don’t think pulling the A from Staal would have the desired outcome. Alienating him would probably make him streakier (is that a word?) and would create tension throughout the whole team.
I think that we as a fanbase expect more from Staal than other players (and IMO, rightly so) so the negatives in his game are more glaring than with other guys. But, you’re right, the entire team has to shoulder the responsibility of getting things back on track.
what frustrates me most ......
Where is this M*****F****** Depth that was touted all pre season. We were supposed to have the secondary scoring to take care of thing when Staal was going through a slump, but they just aren’t there. So why do we think the offense is not clicking. Is it the transition game? Is it the forecheck or lack thereof? Is it that we are creating traffic? I see some thing some games that make me think one way, and then other thing in other games that make me lean the opposite way.
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
s/b we are NOT creating traffic. Typing baaaaaaad grrrrr.
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Some observations
I’ve seen a lot of bad passes and then missed opportunities because of it. There also seems to be some timidness when it comes to winning battles along the boards. If you don’t bring the puck out of scrums, you aren’t going to score. And yeah I don’t think we’re creating enough traffic; opposing goalies are reading our shots like a book. Even if the puck doesn’t hit them square in the logo, there isn’t anyone to take advantage of any second chances.
The captain was reportedly seen visiting an orthopedist in the past week.
Hopefully this is just a general follow-up and not indication of some hidden injury.
"He has all the virtues I dislike, and none of the vices I admire." -Sir Winston Churchill
+1
I think it would be a great idea to scratch a regular or two and let some Rats loose on the ice. As other have stated, that youthful exuberance would be a plus, and maybe a vet would get a fresh perspective watching in street clothes. Whatever needs to be done to get this team to play with some passion and some teamwork, do it.
Agree 100% – I think not have one of the ‘kids’ up here was a mistake in my opinion – think the vets thought they ‘won’ the fight for the roster spot and they are now safe. Sitting one or two might really wake them up.
by livingthelife59 on Oct 23, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
If I knew, hell if anybody really knows what's wrong
They should replace Dr. Phil
I don’t think anyone of the team likes losing.
The problem, IMHO, lies in the leadership of the team. From Coach to the guys wearing just the “A”, those are the ones who have to light a fire under the other players’ collective asses.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Hope they got skated to near-death yesterday afternoon…
and then spent the evening in the hot tub (sorry, I just couldn’t help it – but didn’t we agree maybe it helped rosie and cully a little with their on-ice chemistry?)
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 23, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions
Bag Skate
I would bet Maurice is afraid of giving them a bag skate. The last time he did one here, he lost the team, and subsequently, his job.
lost the team?
You mean to imply that this team is found?
Cause they look pretty lost to me.
Fire Maurice.
by DidJussiThat? on Oct 24, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
What this team needs more than anything else is a kick in the @$$, Put someone on the waiver wire and see what the response is.
I say we waive Cam Ward, CG waddaya think? =p
Wow.....
I hope that was from shock and not something you’d want.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
On top of Boston making the deal to “shake things up,” I’d say it was the same for Minnesota.
I still think the main issue is the point of the power play. I think the failures of the PP have led to an overall bad vibe throughout games. I don’t want to pin it on one guy, but Corvo is a notoriously streaky offensive player — I truly believe an early game goal from him one of these nights will kickstart the whole team, especially if it come with the man advantage. This is where not having Babchuk — and even Seids — hurts, b/c both were capable of providing that spark to the PP.
So with that in mind why don’t we see a PP specialist like Rodney come up, put Harrison in the line up, and play 7 D?
I’ve been screaming that since the preseason ……
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
when it comes down to it, you are injecting the team with someone young and eager, plus you are addressing a glaring whole in your teams over all game. Not to mention you are helping build the confidence of a guy whose confidence took a hit when he did not make the team out of camp when he thought he was a lock.
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
would be nice to see rodney up here — I think he could help give someone a wake-up call too. from reports – sounds like he has been playing quite well in albany
by livingthelife59 on Oct 23, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
another point of view from Albany:
The bloggers in Albany are complaining because their D has been gutted with Harrison up here, Borer and Brett Carson out with Injuries. They’re upset Gleason is now day-to-day and Harrison is with the Canes indefinitely.
Just another wrinkle in managing the needs of both teams.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 23, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed, that is a minor leagues affiliates lot in life, to be the whipping boy for the big club at times like these. I don’t give a hoot about a Calder cup in Albany as much as I do another Stanley in Raleigh.
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know why they think they had a shot at Harrison to begin with. He would have to clear waivers if we sent him down to Albany.
speaking of the “A”, Jerome Samson is off to a hot start. good for 4th in scoring…..
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Personally, I’m not sold on Samson as an NHLer. He seems to do everything well, but there’s nothing that stands out about him. Not very big, not fast, not overly skilled. He’s a good AHLer, but I don’t think he’ll make it as a full-time NHLer. If a guy like Ryan, who is an elite AHL goal scorer and has the NHL-level elite speed, can’t make it, I don’t know that Samson can.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know that I disagree, necessarily either. I was just perusing through ahl.com and noticed his stats. I also was out looking at the Stats on Paradis. I can’t say I am blown away.
BWT Anyone know the deal on this guy. He is a little on the light side but he is putting up some numbers and would at the very least be a good AHL farmhand…. but no one has drafted him:
http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=2147483647&id_register=10328
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
doesn’t link to anyone for me … what player
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Jonathan Hazen,
His numbers are at the top this year but the past two he was kind of meh. Still seems like a decent 5th or 6th round pick right?
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s on the same team Sam Morneau (7th in 2008) plays for. I’m always reluctant when an older player doesn’t make the leap in stats until they’re 19. But you never know.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
So I get shaky on this kind of stuff. Is this the “Over Age Year” for him that I hear talked about so often?
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
No … this is actually just his third full year. Overage year is a fifth full season in the CHL. There are limits to how many overagers a junior team can have, like the AHL has limits on the number of “veterans.”
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
O OK. I always struggle with that, waiver stuff, and cap-ology!
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Threaten to take away medicare or social security benefits, that always gets seniors riled up!
Still not a crook!
LOL - that statement
Goes very well with your avatar
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 23, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m all for doing something drastic (via trade or waivers or just benching someone) in order to send a message…. The question is: with the group of guys we have… how would they respond to message sending?
Maybe Maurice needs to get into a fist fight w/ Jeff O’Neill for old time sake….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Oct 23, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
Well they aint doin **** without the message, could it really get that much worse if they don’t respond well to the message?
by wylde4canes on Oct 23, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
They don't respond well
Remember Cole, Commodore and Stillman?
It wasn’t until JR played revolving coaches did anything get done.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
I still miss Stiller
(sigh)
He will always be my favorite player… I mean, how can you go wrong with the nick-name ‘the silent assassin’?
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually I remember Commodore and Stillman for Corvo and Eaves, and it did not have an overwhelmingly negative effect on he squad. actually it addressed one of our pressing needs in a PMD. Plus Cole was an off season move to acquire another PMD that ended up working out pretty good as we reacquired Colesy before the season was over. I don’t think either move made a significant negative effect on the locker room.
I am not saying we should trade a major player, I am saying that a benching, or a minor trade could provide a wake up call.
After trading Commodore and Stillman for Corvo and Eaves, we went on an absolute tear and came from nowhere to nearly winning the division, were it not for the epic melt down against Florida on the final day of the season.
With Craig Anderson in relief of an injured Vokoun. Sounds like tonight. Ruh-oh.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 23, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Problems I see...
So far I still see them trying to do fancy moves, and turning the puck over. We are also very bad about keeping it in the opposing players zone – or keeping it out of ours. Cam Ward is by far our best player on the ice right now. But people gotta work together as a team. There is no I in team.
So who needs to step up? I think the biggest problem is the fact of how many people we brought in and until Paul Maurice gets the lines situated, we are going to see problems. I think right now Joe Corvo is not bringing his A game, and I’ve noticed this since the end of last season. He just kinda sits there at the back of the opposing teams zone, and lets many pucks slip by him. It’s like his heart is not in it. I really hate to see him traded, but I would be sure that he would be the first to go.
WELCOME BACK TO MAURICE HOCKEY
2003-2006 was not an aberration it was a history. 2009 was the aberration.
He sucks. He’s always sucked. He will continue to suck.
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