Leave the Boys in Albany - For Now
by Bob Wage on Oct 5, 2009 7:15 AM EDT
38 comments
Now that it's been determined that Erik Cole has been knocked out of action for a few weeks with a broken bone in his leg, some fans will be clamoring for management to bring back one of the promising youngsters the team sent to Albany at the end of training camp to take his place.
Brandon Sutter had the most impressive camp, but there is little doubt that talented wingers Zach Boychuk and Drayson Bowman will eventually make it to the big league. The organization's plan for that trio is for them to get some valuable experience in the minors. Hopefully, they can develop some chemistry while they are at it. While it might be tempting to recall one of them back to Raleigh earlier than expected, I believe that the team should stick to the original plan and leave them alone for now.
Tuesday night's game against Tampa Bay will feature Tim Conboy on the fourth line with Stephane Yelle and Tom Kostopoulos. Scott Walker will move to the Brind'Amour line. The other lines will probably be juggled until coach Maurice finds some chemistry. Walker is perfectly capable of playing top nine minutes and this solution should work out fine as long as the other top nine forwards play to their capabilities. There is no need to panic, yet.
But if the team keeps losing, all bets are off.
_____
On another note, several people left less than flattering comments about Anton Babchuk after it had been announced that he signed in Russia. Forgetting a moment about his 16 goals scored, (which was in the top five for all defensemen in the NHL), Babchuk was 10th on the team with more than 18 minutes of ice time per game and the Canes allowed the fourth fewest goals in the Eastern Conference last season. This year's defense might be hard pressed to match or beat that mark.
_____
While the team undoubtedly misses Joni Pitkanen's presence on the powerplay, the Matt Cullen experiment on the point has not been successful to date. As mentioned here previously, Aaron Ward averaged just 17 seconds per game of powerplay ice time while with Boston last season. Tim Gleason averaged less than that here in Carolina.
Nothing against Gleason, Ward, or Cullen's effort, but it seems logical that they would have difficulty being successful in situations where they have had little recent game experience. The Canes are certainly depending upon them to get up to speed very shortly.
So far this season, the Carolina powerplay is 1-17, (5.6%), with the lone score coming on an unassisted Eric Staal goal after he stole a pass and beat Tim Thomas. While it is still too early to panic, Bryan Rodney might be an option for the point. There was a reason that the team was so high on him last season when he came to town, and it was not because of his shut-down defense. Unlike the young group of forwards I mentioned above, he has more professional experience and his long term development would not be adversely affected with a call-up to Carolina.
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Usually a strength of the team, the penalty kill is also struggling along at a 53.8% rate of efficiency, good for 28th in the league. The Canes have plenty to work on, in nearly all facets of the game.
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If we lose against Tampa then yes, all bets are off. Send in Sutter and Rodney.
Do we have short term memory or do you all remember the 2008 Spring season when the AHL players came in and showed the veterans how to play basic hockey and win games? We may need that again. They are going back to their sloppy fancy passes with way too many turn overs.
KO has not showed me anything yet, I know it’s early, but if we lose against Tampa and Flordia this week, he needs to be scratched. Send in Sutter and Rodney.
I never understood how anybody could think that Babchuck was not a valuable assest to this team after last season. Do they remember the Pens game last season when he shot that winning goal from the point that advanced us into the playoffs, not to mention all his other goals? 4th goals for defenseman, look how many teams pay out big bucks for “puck moving” defenseman so they can score. People can’t seem to get past his “attitude” problems long enough to see what an asset he was and what a liability to this team now that he’s gone with very little left of players to score from the point. I feel the same about Sidenberg not back. I for one will miss him and this team will pay for it in the long run and this is from a former Babchuck hater in 2007.
At least last season we shined with having a good power kill team. It sucks that we suck at both so early.
C
The problem with Babchuk is that he was quickly figured out by the opposing teams. By the time the playoffs came around, everyone knew his shot and would negate it. Logic would say that that trend would carry over to this season. That’s not to say he wouldn’t have scored at all during the season, but his Babchuk Bomb was becoming decidedly less effective with each passing game. IMO, that uncertainty, combined with the attitude problems and the defensive liabilities, made him expendable. Now I would have kept Seidenberg, but I have a feeling that he had a over-inflated opinion of his worth and that made JR balk.
Don't mince your words
let us know how you really feel!
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
Maybe a little
I thought for a moment that Paladin6 hijacked your account.
Then I realized there were no references to blood sacrifices.
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
Make it "over 30"
And we can live “Logan’s Run” and time for “Rebirth”
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
My 2 cents
Your comments were honest. Nothing harsh there or even negative. Just an accurate recounting of facts and logical analysis.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
We offered Babchuck a contract…. he just didn’t accept it….. And it was his attitude that caused it to be low…. if he would have just played nice in the early going he would have had arbitration rights and he would still be on the team now…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Oct 5, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Im in panic mode, we lost to 2 of the top 3 teams in the conference in the first two games of the season. Whens the last time this team started strong? They are at their best playing desperation hockey, although that makes for a roller coaster season, it is what it is. If we kept Babchuk and Seidenberg, people would be on here saying we should have revamped the D.
We will see what this team is made of against Tampa. They should come out like a team possessed. If not, then I think you can start to worry. If you don’t respond to a humiliating loss like the one against Boston, then it become more than just losing three in a row. It becomes a character question.
Have to disagree with you on leaving the kids in Albany
The fourth line has been one of the (only) bright spots on the team so far. The Canes had a clear match up advantage with the fourth line against two of the top teams in the East if not NHL. I have said many times this year (not on here, but at the games) that Scott Walker has had the best opportunities to score so far. I mean it as an indictment of the struggling offense, but it is true. Scott Walker has had the best opportunities to score so far this season and that is a direct result of the advantage the fourth line has.
Putting Conboy on that line does nothing other than eliminate that advantage. We know there are plenty of players willing to drop the gloves. What does Conboy do other than bring in another player who cannot play on the PP or PK? He’s not exactly what I would call defensively sound or offensively gifted. He’s a body. I’d rather Ryan Bayda dressed for the Canes than Tim Conboy.
Jussi and Ruutu can play either wing, so either Bowman or Boychuk can come up. They can play on the third line. The Canes can maintain the advantage they have on the fourth line and give one of the youngsters an extended NHL training camp. Neither kid will get PK time, so it’s not like they’ll hurt that. They may bring some additional offense with them too.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Hey CL, I thought you knew Bayda was in Pittsburgh, I'm thinking they won't let him dress out for us.-LOL
C
by c59 on Oct 5, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
He might come back to the NHL one day but JR will gladly send him to another team...
then that team can be stuck with a defenseman that can’t aim his shot!
Panic Mode
I think it is way to soon to start thinking about bringing back the rookies 2 games does not a season make. Now that being said I believe the afore mentioned idea is ok if this looseing trend continues.
robert
It’s not about panicing to bring up one of the kids in Albany or it being way too soon. An injury is forcing the discussion. For me, it wouldn’t matter if the team was 2 – 0 as opposed to 0 – 2. When the options are Conboy on the fourth line and Walker in the top nine or Walker on the fourth a rookie in the top nine (likley 3rd line wing) and Conboy in the press box, I’m going with the latter option. There was a need for Conboy last season. There is no longer a need for him. There are plenty of players willing to do what he does and bring other abilities to the game.
As I see it the best way to compete is for Conboy to stay in the box, the fourth line to stay as they are, and to bring someone up from Albany.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I kind of thought Cole was off to a fair start, too. I think that the lack of a pre-season was painfully wrong. While everybody is talking about the kids getting chemistry, what about these savior vet’s? Rod does not appear to be having some stellar come back year. Whitney, Staal and Walker seem to be on track. Cullens, Cullen, you never know when he will show up until he does. Ruutu is playing hard, but looks like he isn’t comfy. This team traditionaly seems to start out slow, I hope this a very short term temp. thing. So far this feels pretty pathetic.
I would expect a trade before the kids come up at this point. That said, byt November if they don’t pick it up about 6 notch’s, I’d be looking at packaging some of the hero vets together and trading them for a sniper that can run PP. If the PP doesn’t pick up, they willhave a dismal year and I would doubt even make the play offs. I still can’t believe this tean hasn’t got a PP squad yet…
A
I don’t think Rod’s looked any worse than anyone else, honestly. Last year everyone harped on the plus/minus. He’s a plus right now.
The point of the power play — my biggest concern entering the season — is a problem. I hope Pitkanen solves that some, but right now only Staal looks decisive back there, and that’s not where they need him playing.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 5, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree with you about Rod. No one has looked “stellar”, let alone good so far so I don’t think we can really judge him yet. And yes the PP has got to change-I love Gleason and A.Ward as much as the next fan, but they are not really what we need back there. I’ll be interested to see if it improves at all once Joni returns.
News Flash…. it’s not just Brind’Amour! The entire team has sucked so far….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Oct 5, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
HOW LONG DOES THE PP HAVE TO SUCK TO MAKE CHANGES?
The powerplay has been a problem for way to long. For some reason JR thinks Ron"the GOD of PP" Francis is the key to solving the problem. Seems to me since he’s been helping out with special teams its been worse. Don’t hate me for this but some people are better in the office. Not all great players make great coaches.
I said it in the game thread the other night, but I am absolutely stunned they are still sticking with Cullen on the point, or at least not mixing up the PP lines at all. The PP has been not a threat what so ever. It’s kind of a shame Staal scored that goal on the PP, because honestly they should still be looking at an 0fer.
Tuesday night better have a new look PP, but I guess it has to, since Cole is hurt now.
The depth chart has everyone moving up a line with Conboy taking the empty spot. I wonder if Dwyer wouldn’t be an option, especially for nights where Conboy’s skills are less than necessary. I seem to remember him doing well last year and thought he was on the PK (could be wrong on that part). Also Pitkanen is back on the second pairing, so hopefully that means he’ll be back tomorrow night.
Hmmmm...
Interesting little wrinkle-
Carolina Hurricanes Maurice says Canes may dress 7 defensemen in Cole’s absence tomorrow if Pitkanen can play. Walker missed practice (illness) but should play
-via Canes on facebook.
A comment on the illness side...
Alberts had a congested cough through out his interview after the Boston game, which had me a little concerned on the ‘flu bug’ scare Saturday night. I hope this is not a trend we will be seeing with our players. It was a disaster 2 seasons ago, as if we don’t already have enough to worry about.
C
Ron Francis voice was hard to recognize ont the Buzz radio piece he did Thursday. Maybe you’re right about the flu. Is that an upper or lower body thing?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Walker missed practice with “a cold” according to Chip.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 5, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe it’s the swine flu? Better quarantine Stormy!
by Pirate Caniac on Oct 5, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
What we need...
Is an offensive d-man or forward in the point. The problem with putting Gleason and Ward back there is that they’re shut down defensive d-men. I would rather see Conboy back there because he’s an offensive d-man that’s been shifted up to a forward. Pair him with either Ward or Gleason for the #2 PP unit (1st unit is good with Corvo on back). I’d rather see Dwyer pulled back up to cover the holes that opened with Cole’s injury instead of tapping the Albany kids. Put him on third line with Brindy and move Samsinov up to Cullen’s line with Ruutu back on the first line. Holes fixed and we should improve on special teams (which really has nowhere to go but up).
I thought my most recent comment about babchuk was funny :-) Honestly, though, I’d rather have someone without the drama that he brought along. At least Colesy and Rosey knew to keep their yaps shut while JR was throwing his pimphand about the last several months..
I’m not panicing two games into the season. 15 games – then yeah, probably.
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