Eric Staal's Ironman Streak To End Tonight
by Bob Wage on Nov 4, 2009 7:45 AM EST
86 comments
Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal is officially listed as "week-to-week" and he will miss tonight's game in Florida. Staal had one of the longest active consecutive game streaks running in the NHL, 349 games, and has only missed one game so far in his career. He reportedly has an upper body injury serious enough to keep him out of action for a few games.
Staal has had a rough start to the season and missed a week or so of practice last month with a lower body concern. He has not had the typical explosive first step he normally does and his shot has not been up to his standards. The team has certainly missed his normal scoring prowess as the all star only has three goals and two assists so far this season.
The center has such a presence and is so important to all things Carolina that even practice seems different without him there. But could his absence actually end up making Carolina a stronger team in the long run? Of course that all depends upon what happens tonight. If the team can put together a good showing without Staal, and perhaps even win, what a huge confidence boost that would be.
In other news, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a point last night in an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. That gives them a total of seven points, the same number as the Hurricanes. Although since Carolina has more wins, they technically are not tied for last place in the league, but that is a pretty thin technicality.
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Brian LeBlanc from The Puck Drops asked me to participate in another podcast earlier in the week. This one was in a roundtable format and included Phil and Brandon. We were not able to figure out exactly what was wrong with the Canes, but it was fun talking about it.
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SB Nation upgraded some features on the site yesterday. The changes are mostly cosmetic as they softened some angles, changed some fonts, and lightened a few colors. If you see any problems or have feedback, please let us know.
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I will have the game preview up around lunchtime.
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Binky’ll be fine… (I mean as fine as he ever is…)
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 4, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone notice that Staal, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin and Booth, the scoring leaders for their respective teams in the SE Division, are now all out for awhile with injuries ? LeCavalier is the only one of his kind still skating.
How often does this sort of top-level “void” happen simultaneously?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
puck daddy tlked about it
apparently teams are afraid of weeknight games not selling enough, so they pack them into the weeknd.
I understand their strategy but I can’t stand it.
by THE_NEW_CANES on Nov 4, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
This is very sad news. I think Cory jinxed him when he wrote in his journal that Staal was going to obtain a point per game this year.
Think i said he’s been, over the course of his career, a PPG player. But I did expect a big year from him … there was a bounce about him, a dominance. The groin thing clearly hindered him, and hopefully the time off for the “upper body” thing will also help the groin out. It probably doesn’t hurt to get away for a bit, spend time with the baby, ect.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 4, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I knew what you meant — I was being a little sarcastic.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 4, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
It’s OK … I’ll take the blame. It’s on me and JR.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 4, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Here's my prediction:
Canes 4 Florida 1
You heard it here first folks.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I'll go with....
Florida 4 Canes 1
and I also think that will break the record for sucking the most in franchise history.
With a name like "Hurricanes"
you know whenthey really get down, they are really going to blow…..
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Sunshine, lollypops and rainbows?
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 4, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
When I see you next time,
I’ll be the surrogate for each and every one of them for you.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I got something you can kiss sunshine..
Jeez LCD what pissed in your coffee today? Trade Sutter?
Shame on you.
A
Promises, promises
nobody did, just trying to get a rise from CG.
Actually everyone is talking about dropping, trading, sending down to AHL someone so I thought I’d chime in with Sutter to be different.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Dude, different is like an odd colored shirt. You’re talking silk shirts and bell bootoms!!
\Besides your, it would break CG’s heart (and mine!!!).
A
It would break my heart. Although on the bright side, I could use the line “I know it was you JR. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.”
Like I said.....
I get flustered when I read some of the things.
Maybe I’m just tired but to make a point, I will use a generous dose of hyperbole.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
For me?
Just show up and find me.
I’ll make it so you’ll say, “Brendan who?”
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
The week has gone by so fast with Halloween and the World Series…..I hope JR or Mo made sure everyone on the team has the day off from their jobs.
by THE_NEW_CANES on Nov 4, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
He did give them the night off I hear,
starting at 7:30pm
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I bet they are thrilled because now they can watch the World Series.
by THE_NEW_CANES on Nov 4, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
Let's trade him and Sutter
Cole and Sutter have been worthless so far.
Put them both out as a package deal and trade for some good prospects later.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I’ll assume that you would prefer late round picks to early ones as well?
by Canes Pucknut on Nov 4, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
I know its Eric and not Erik, I’m simply being cheeky thus TIC
by Canes Pucknut on Nov 4, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Staal sitting should be exactly what we need. he needs to see from the outside looking in exactly what is going on here. Plus maybe some away time will stoke his fire and get him hungry for hockey again.
I had similar thoughts too, however, Ruutu, Cole, Pitkanen, and Gleason have all sat out and it hasn’t seemed to change their perspective after returning. I expected to see Harrison on his way out and I expect Conboy to see very limited time from here on out. I still cannot figure out why we kept Conboy in the line up this year with the additions of Yelle, Alberts, and KO. Just seems to me it was wasted space with the likes of Sutter and others being more productive offensively.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 4, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
Gleason was never really back – we’ll see what he does tonight
by Andrea's evil twin on Nov 4, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Timmy's all used up
I can’t wait to hear it when JR bounces his lazy ass outa here.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Just going with the flow.....
seems as though some people want to throw players under a bus.
I’ll just choose others as I really don’t like to do that to anyone.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I think Conboy is around as “a fighter” when needed. I would rather see him fighting than Gleason and some other more skilled players.
by Canes Pucknut on Nov 4, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
That’s what Alberts and KO can be used for plus you have Walker and Gleason. I don’t see a need for a Conboy.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 4, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
KO is not a good fighter and losing Alberts, Walker or Gleason would have a bigger impact than Conboy. And, Conboy can play as a forward or defenseman.
Don’t get me wrong, I think your point is a valid one and this team could certainly use some youth. I think the tinkering has only just begun and will take time to unfold. You may see Conboy as one of the next casualties of the impending changes.
by Canes Pucknut on Nov 4, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
And Dennis Seidenburg…. and Anton-Freekin-Babchuck….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 4, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
I know Anton made his own bed to lay in w/ this team….. He screwed himself…. no doubt about it….. But… at least he could play the freeking point on the power play!!!!
And who would you rather have right now… Aaron Ward? Or Dennis Seidenburg??? I’ll take the #4 from last season…. thanks….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 4, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Antons defensive play and overall game was vastly underrated, viewed by eyes that were clouded by his contract disputes.
He wasn’t very good in the playoffs…. But everyone (in theory) gets better w/ experience….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 4, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Yup, sure was. First off no one will argue that he can score. Defensively, last year he played 72 games and posted a +13, which I believe was best of all our d-men. Took only 8 penalties (something thats hurt us this year). And dont give me the ole “he played against grinders” crap. Babs played over 18 min a night. Show me a team that plays grinders for 18 min a night! That +13 was no fluke.
He was fifth among D-men in ice time, both even-strength and overall. That’s third-pairing minutes (which is what we was). But by the end of January he was playing 20 minutes most every night. But part of that is an increase in PP time (he averaged 2:20/ game for the year, fourth among D, but was clearly playing more than that at the end of the year). I don’t think it’s unfair to say he was playing against lesser players. But that doesn’t take away from what he was able to do either.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 4, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
good things happened when the “Freak” was on the ice. Freak…..I like that. He does have that zombie look about him, and with his size and freakish shot. If he ever comes back to the Canes I will forever refer to him as “The Freak”!
Canes Now
Chip’s reporting that Staal might be out 2-4 WEEKS instead of just a few games. Not good.
Article here. Not sure how reliable this is, but he seems to be with the team in FL.
Whatever it takes…. right?
He is obviously hurting the team by trying to play hurt…. so let him be out to heal as long as he needs to…. not having him in at all is better than having him trying to play hurt….
(and as we say in the south) bless his heart….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 4, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
and he was invisible in the playoffs when teams figured out that they just have to pressure him to neutralize his shot
C’mon, not this again. NJ targeted Babchuk because he was scoring again Brodeur like crazy at the end of season. After 1-2 games Mo took him off the PP and after that I did not see him playing more than 30 second on second PP unit. I think with more trust from coach he would be able to adjust. So, yes, he struggled in play-offs, but so were many other players and he was suddenly targeted player, because of playing at over PPG at the end of season.
And do not give me that about teams espcially pressuring Babchuk on regular basis. Maybe during play-offs, but no one would bother to do that during regular season. He is no that good to warrant such an attention. And he would soon adjust to that. Pressuring the point is a risky play, he has passing options open, which would create 4 on 3, not something that defending team wants to see.
I know his attitude made him unpopular here, and that is why no other team showed interest in him. But I do not think anyone can argue that any new D-men are better than Babchuk. Right now, I do not even care if can handle play-offs or not, it does not look like this is going to qualify anyway.
oops hit the button
Cullen, Ruutu and Cole
Sutter, Ray and either Larose or Walker
Jussi Rod and Rosie/walker
Yelle, sammi and TKO
That’s not the way it will go down, but probably would be to my liking. Hell might even rotate Sutter up on the big line.
Since nobody else on the team has a positive streak going, I say Suitter bags a third!!
A
From Chip Alexander’s tweets from practice yesterday:
Ruutu – Jokinen – Cole
Whitney – Cullen – LaRose
Samsonov – Brind’Amour – Walker
Kostopolous – Yelle – Sutter
Also, see team depth chart here.
And Luke DeCock (I laugh every time I say his name… I’m such a fifth grader sometimes) thinks the answer is to give Yelle and Tom Nonstopolous more ice time…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 4, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
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