In the back of my mind I continue to have hope that this team can turn it around and go on a run… And after just about every game I loose just a little bit more of that hope. As possible as I know it is, I don’t see that run happening with the team the way it is now. I think some type of shakeup is going to be needed or we will continue on as we have started…

Some movements that actually could be made and just might give the team some new life:
1. Give the Captain to Staal or Gleason. I know Eric will get it, but I wouldn’t be at all against giving it to Timmy. This might not be a huge move, but I can’t help but believe at this point it couldn’t hurt anything.

2. A trade of a couple of our good players. I am a huge fan of the Wizard and think we are a much worse team without him. I would sooner look to Corvo, Cullen, LaRose, or any of our other numerous spare parts that would generate interest.

3. Change coaches. I realize this is highly unlikely, but I am really tired of Mo hockey right now. Not sure if there would be some way to keep him in the organization and yet away from behind the bench. I just don’t see any way we bring in someone that we aren’t already paying to coach this team…

Anyways, if we continue to suck we can look forward to a good draft pick next summer. Ok, maybe my late cup of coffee will let me go to sleep now and I will stop rambling… Cheers!

I read this headline and thought it was going to be about the
good season
bad season
bad season
good season
bad season
bad season
pattern of the franchise. I like this theme better, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

If they did it once, they can do it again, right?

right, but without some kind of shakeup (we know it will not be a coaching change) I’m just not sure it’s gonna happen. Don’t get me wrong I would love nothing more than for them to turn this around, but with the growing list of challenges they face, I’m with hockeymom,not getting my hopes up.

Most hockey pundits guessed that if things continued down the terrible beginning season path that the Canes might pop smoke around thanksgiving to shake things up. As stated in the article, this is about the same time the Caps took dratic measures to right the ship. I, like others, do not think anything is going to happen until much later in the season. The team showed glimpses of their once coveted potential prior to the most recent road skid and may have done just enough to give JR hope that things could get done with the team in place. Remember MO’s concern about tinkering with lines that have seen success and his suggestion to stick with those lines at Staal’s return? That was a vote of confidence in the team’s potential for success. Just under the surface and on paper, this team is well built to win. So…I think that we are more likely to see a fire sale closer to the trade dealine if we fail to see marked improvements. However, the rumored Chicago/Canes solution to trade for a center and to shed salary still seems plausible. By the way, I like the idea of reassigning the captaincy to Staal or Gleason right now.

Mathmatically I don’t think we are out of the playoffs yet, but for myself I think I have finally resigned that they won’t after watching them against the Ducks. I really thought after the Tampa game things would change since that game was what I thought was their best game of the year. Manny is keeping them in the game which has to be a boost, but the lack of scoring is a downer, and I don’t see how you can create any chemistry if the people you are playing with keep changing. I think these next three games a going to determine which direction they will head from here on out. Since JR stated he wanted to be .500 by Christmas I believe that’s the baramoter as when the firesale starts.

And on a side note the majority of people here placed some of the blame for our dysfunction on Brindy and now it seems those folks got their wish as his TOI is down and he is on the fourth line, and things have really not improved so I am reading that that is still not good enough so the next step seems to take his captain status away to really put the shame on him — kind of like the lady in the Scarlett Letter, but in reverse and let him walk around without the letter on his jersey that screams that he is the woe of all of our troubles..

Cam was “briefly” on the ice today, thats a good sign, eh?

Ruutu is back. Walker is skating too.

According to Chip, it sounds like these forward lines tonight (in no particular order):

Sutter, Whitney, LaRose
Staal, Cole (re-united at last; it’s showtime boys), Sammi
Cullen, Ruutu, Jokinen (that’s at least familiar)

4th line Yelle, Brindy, TKO

So when Walker returns (keeping in mind that Monday’s game vs the Caps would be 2 weeks), does Brind’Amour or TKO or Yelle sit? (assuming Dwyer returns to Albany)

Not sure about Rosey up with Sutter and Whitney. That line needs a few more pounds.

It is time for JR to tell Mo what to do here. Just take the bull by the horns and make the changes in ice time and combinations that he wants to see. No hard feelings…it is time to save the season. Like any other boss, when things aren’t working, you have to step in. Now is time to move.

Harwood has got quotes from Sutter and Ruutu after teh skate this morning, that he just tweeted. (see them on the Canes Country home page).

I just found out I am CLAUSETERPHOBIC.

You guessed it….afraid of Santa.

Chip just put up a Canes Now postt. Here’s what I want to hear about our Captain:

After losing to the Ducks 3-2 Wednesday night, the Canes flew home, arriving after 6 a.m. Thursday morning. Then it was Thanksgiving with their families, with Rod Brind’Amour having Brandon Sutter, Justin Peters and Pat Dwyer over to his house for some food and festivities

Hopefully they had someone else do the cooking. Brandon needs all the healthy calories he can get. Still, that’s a great way to mentor the young ones.