Reversal of Fortune: It's Been Done Before
by Bob Wage on Nov 27, 2009 1:08 AM EST
64 comments
To say that the Carolina Hurricanes were off to a rough start this season would be an understatement. Earlier in the year, they played 14 consecutive games without a win and they still have yet to win a single game on the road all year, a 12 game streak. They are in last place in the NHL with a 5-14-5 record and have earned 15 points.
Odds are that the Canes will not make the postseason this year. As a matter of fact, the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against them. Sports Club Stats, a local website which actually specializes in calculating a team's odds on making the playoffs, gives the Hurricanes less than a 1% chance of making it at the present time.
Of course the odds change everytime a team wins or loses and several teams have beaten adverse odds over the years, but still the Canes have a daunting task ahead of them.
But while daunting, it's not impossible.
Just two years ago, November 27, 2007, the Washington Capitals found themselves to be in a similar situation that the Hurricanes are presently in. With a record of 8-15-1, the team had earned 17 points and was sitting in last place in the NHL.
Coincidentally, Carolina was in first place in the Southeast Division at the time with a record of 13-8-3 and 29 points.
We all know what eventually happened. Washington went on a tear and ended up winning the division while Carolina missed the playoffs by two points.
The Caps got a shot in the arm on that Thanksgiving Day when they fired then coach Glen Hanlon and hired Hershey coach Bruce Boudreau. The affect was almost immediate as Washington went 7-4-4 the rest of November and through December. They finished with a 43-31-8 record and 94 points which was the sixth highest in the East.
Can the Hurricanes do something similar this season?
They will not have the jolt to the system that a new coach can bring, but they believe that they have the talent in the room to get the job done. After all, this is about the same group which went on a 13-3 break out near the end of last season, a streak which included nine wins in a row. This is about the same group which won two tough playoff series in last year's postseason.
If they did it once, they can do it again, right?
This team still has much to prove, but they have a chance to show something very soon as they approach a tough, three games in four nights stretch starting on Friday night. They battle the Atlanta Thrashers first at the RBC, then travel to Buffalo for a Saturday night game against the Sabres, then face the division leading Capitals on Monday night at home again.
Will they show any signs of life?
I will be attending the morning skate on Friday and will have the Atlanta game preview up shortly after noon.
0 recs |
64 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
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!
Reversal of fortunes.
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.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
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.
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Well It's Past Thanksgiving
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.
New Captain and Focus on Next Season
It is time to change captains to reflect reality. Let’s
focus on putting pieces in place for success next season.
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..
I don’t understand all the Rod hate… The man is old… he plays w/ a brace on his knee… which makes him slow… he and the coaches know where he is and what he is capable of doing… He is not the same and (I’ve finally accepted) will never be the same player he was….
However…. all that has nothing to do with why he is the captain of the team….. It doesn’t take away from his leadership skills just because his playing skills have diminished….
Unless Rod wants to give up his captain status and promote himself to Admiral (later MO) LOL…
(that last part… I was kidding)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 27, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
It does take away from his ability to be a good leader.
If Rod was an outspoken, raw, raw type, the effect would be minor. The fact that he is a leader by example means he is no longer a guy to fashion yourself after. Sure, you can say he is a competitor and an animal in the weight room but he is not getting it done on the ice. He is not able to lead by example on the ice…..it does effect his leadership more than other types of Captains. The knee injury was clearly very serious and is career ending. It is not hating. It is reality. Wake up and smell the coffee.
None of us know what happens behind closed doors…. we only see and hear what we see and hear… what we believe and what we know are sometimes worlds apart…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 27, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Actually – I think things have improved with #17’s reduced icetime. Remember the blowouts against St Louis and the Flyers? that’s when he peaked for the season. over 23 minutes in both those games.
I was just looking at the full TOI report for the Anaheim game. The following players did not go out in the last 4 minutes:
AWard, Sammy, Brindy, Yelle, TKO, Dwyer, LaRose. Maybe Mo is thinking the same as most of us, just waited till the last 5 minutes to act.
I do think things have improved with Brindy’s icetime reduced. I think the cry against him was loudest when he was getting over 20 minutes every night (which corresponds to the first game vs the NYI to the second game vs the NYI – all 11 of those games were losses), putting him near the top of the forwards, which clearly didn’t work.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 27, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
I concur that’s why continuing to call him out is unwarranted for me. It appears reducing his TOI has helped him play better, and so now if we could only find some consistancy on the other lines….
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 27, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
I think in order to find consistency on the lines there has to be CONSISTANT LINES.
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
+ 10000000000000
Mo must go!
Just fire him. The team could probably coach itself better and would be able to have consistent lines…
What an fing mess. If I ever see mo on the street…
(Mutters to self – said he would keep the lines that were working together with staals return… Jerkface)
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 27, 2009 11:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Jerkface
= Ouch!
I thought this was a team coached by committee so where are Francis, Rowe, and others input in this?
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 27, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
EEEWWWW – that’s rough (though clever). Maybe the hate is re-focusing away from Brindy and targeting “the braintrust…”
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 27, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
not funny, just cranky...
Hadn’t planned on going to the game, but I could have my arm twisted…
Are you going?
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 27, 2009 1:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hmm… Maybe I will seriously consider…
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 27, 2009 1:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I didn’t know if we needed to take up a collection to bail you out of RBC jail
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
I don’t know if the RBC jail has been used since that loser from Dawsons Creek was put in….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 27, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
HockeyMomof2 - 3 period play
Great observation : did you notice how well the team played during that time?
ITS TRUE: I’ve noticed in the second half of the 3rd period or in OT – Rod and several other vets do not step on the ice. Our team looks completely different…..their energy and play is intense. Everyone notices it – Manny Legace said. “It seems like we played that third period not to lose.” Mo has even commented on how hard they play in the second half of the 3rd period or in OT.
WE did the same thing when Rod was off the ice last season. We stepped up and our team went on a streak that landed them in the play-offs.
So if Mo comments on how strong the team plays but doesn’t see the reciprocal relation to the teams play when Rod is not on the ice………then he is a complete idiot. He has to know it yet does NOTHING!
It is sad that our team is having to sacrificed their entire season for 1 player. I think JR is aware of – but is he not wanting to make the change because it would reflect badly on him?
by THE_NEW_CANES on Nov 27, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Cam was “briefly” on the ice today, thats a good sign, eh?
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Harwood and ice_chip both at the morning skate.
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.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
Jim Rutherford needs to take a more active role.
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.
If I was JR,
First put together a coherent game plan.
Second, get Mo, Ronnie and the coaches on board.
Third, get buy in from the new Captain.
Fourth implement the new direction.
Anything is better than the cluster we have going on…..
oh, sorry, I borrowed it...
(Returns bloodied fork with bits of oddly familiar tie stuck in the tines)
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 27, 2009 1:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Mo’s makin’ me really mad!!
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 27, 2009 2:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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).
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
just tweets. Look here.
Nothing earth shattering – Leighton may start tomorrow vs Buffalo. Bob thinks Ruu will play today. Sutter is sounding very upbeat, despite the road losses.
Did you go to the skate, LTD?
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 27, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
They usually do. Was is a light workout or more intense? Coaches out there?
How did Ruu seem to you? Was Walker in a yellow jersey?
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 27, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
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.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
Justin Peters headed to Albany with Leighton looking strong today. This is good.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 27, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
It’ll be interesting to see what happens when Cam gets back….
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Nov 27, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
I say we let Manny and Leighton duke it out. Cage match!….. but actually I hope we send Leighton down and keep Manny.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Nov 27, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno, Leighton seemed to hold his own against this guy (LOL just wanted an excuse to post it).
SISU
Awesome. Now if they could stop pucks like they throw punches…
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Nov 27, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
