Overheard: Bill Clement

by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 7:47 PM EST

This is something new I'm going to try. Whenever I hear a player, coach or hockey person say something interesting about the Hurricanes, I'll post it in FanPosts under "Overheard."

Today's first edition is from XM's NHL Home Ice. Bill Clement is a frequent analyst, and today he was talking about the Eastern Conference playoff race. The conversation, which began with discussion of the Rangers' chances in the post-Renney, maybe-Tortorella era, shifted to the Sabres and the injury to Ryan Miller. Clement listed Miller as one of the conference's three best goalies. The others? Boston's Tim Thomas and, yep, Carolina's Cam Ward. No Henrik Lundqvist. No Thomas Vokoun.

What are your thoughts? Has Ward established himself as one of the more reliable netminders in hockey? Or is he on the list by default (injured Martin Brodeur, erratic M-A Fleury, enigmatic Carey Price)?

Discuss!

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Wardo has had a very good year compared to most other goalies in the East. so far. If he can help get the team to the post season again, that will certainly count for a lot.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Feb 23, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions

I like the “overheard” idea.

Gosh…I just don’t see cam being up there quite yet. Cam, when he is on, deserves to be mentioned up there, but as we all know he just gives up too many soft goals. Now, I will say that he seems to be getting a little better about the softie, but I am not sure if that doesn’t have just as much to do with the coaching change. I don’t have stats, but I would guess that our shots allowed have gone down since the coaching change and that has definitely helped ward as it would anyone. I think there are 2 defined groups in the east.

1. (in no order) – Brodeur, Miller, Thomas, Lundqvist – because of their consistency
2. (again, in no order) – Ward, Vokun, Price, Fleury

Look, Cam has the ability (and has done it) to single handily win games. That can be said for most guys in both groups. The difference between group 1 and group 2; their off nights. Cam’s off night is way behind a Thomas or a Miller off night (not really close to Brodeur).

With all that said, Cam will get there; maybe not to a Brodeur level, but I do think he can get to a Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas level. I think Leighton’s push earlier this season really lit a fire under him, and I don’t think you can deny he’s had a better year this year than he’s had the past two. His best days are in front of him for sure, and as inconsistent I might be making Cam out to be…I don’t want to even start with Carey Price or Fleury.

by briney on Feb 23, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions

Thanks … we hope all of you can chip in with your “Overheards” too!

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 10:26 PM EST up reply actions

err – handily = handedly

by briney on Feb 23, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

well, how screwed would the Canes be if Ward went out with the injury and not Miller?

Carolina On Ice: All Things Hockey in the Carolinas!

by wuffy on Feb 23, 2009 10:16 PM EST reply actions

just as screwed as the sabers…maybe a little less though. I’d take Leighton over Lalime anyday

by briney on Feb 23, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions

Screwed is screwed anyway you turn the driver. Lest we no tempt faith, no more references to Cam going out with an injury.

I have always believed that Cam will mature into a top 5 goalie. He is currently very young and still gaining experience. For those that think he should be Martin Brodeur right out of his Conn Smythe and Cup win are being quite unrealistic.

I, too, like the Overheard idea.

by ivyleager on Feb 23, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

I like the idea too!
How’s this for an overheard…
Andrew Ference (current bruin, former flame) was interviewed on the hour back in November about his carbon neutral push for the NHLPA and at the end of the interview the host asked Andrew if anyone had ever given him shit on the ice about it. Someone had, and had called him later to apologize about it – he wouldn’t identify the player but did say that he was from Carolina.

I don’t know who it was, but it must have been last season (we hadn’t played the B’s yet this season). Some of the interview is pretty funny – and if we think Buffalo fans are rude and obnoxious…

by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 24, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions

Oops, I didn’t mean to make that whole paragraph a link… sorry…

by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 24, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

awesome interview. I have a ton more respect for this guy. I like hearing about people who are out there living our dream-playing in the nhl, and still trying to do stuff to make the world a better place to call home.

by Blacklisted on Feb 24, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Ward is a very good goalie whenever he concentrates…. but his off nights are WAY too far off for me!

The best goalies in the conference can still win games even if they are playing Wheel Of Fortune in their minds…. When Cam goes into dreamy land it’s all over except for Larry-O playing it on the organ….

Maybe Cam paid the guy off or something…. but I don’t buy it….

by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 26, 2009 4:46 PM EST reply actions