LaRose and Samsonov Are Back: Lightning at Hurricanes, Game Day Preview

Just do not see the vets on this team playing with any type of hunger…Staal may have been a game changer in one game this year( 5 pt game) other than that a big disappointment. and yes it is sad but true, only because you see the players making less money putting forth the effort and making a difference..

I have to admit to grumbling about Eric Staal’s salary, too ($6M this season, peaking at $9.5M in ‘15-’16, for an $8.25M cap hit).

But, take a look at this player salary sort.

Yes, he may not be the game-changer that Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin can be (unless he wants to, that is). But, I would much rather have Eric on our team than say Brad Richards or anyone else below his salary rank.

Your opinions may vary.

   I really don’t have much of an issue per se with how much veterans are paid. I spend more time trying to figure out how to deal with the fact that there are limited resources and the team has to make some specific changes to succeed. I think Manascalsco is becoming more and more unbearable in his radio show. I heard him going off on Eric Staal for missing a penalty shot; perhaps forgetting that Ovechkin’s inability to hit a penalty shot cost the Capitals a game when Michael Leighton was in goal.

   I think the Hurricanes veterans who are not going to be re-signed really have nobody but themselves to blame. Specifically, Yelle was given a great opportunity to finish his career here and wasted that opportunity. Aaron Ward was bad beyond description. Scott Walker had a miserable year, although much of his miserable year came from battling injuries. Wallin could have made himself indispensable but instead really didn’t do so. I feel the worst for Matt Cullen because his play has been fine this year; but he seems to be bearing the brunt of the failures of others. LaRose too was fighting injuries; but his lack of scoring is something for which he is accountable.

     As professional athletes, we expect the veterans to demonstrate leadership and not to make silly mistakes. With the young kids, I at least fully expect them to have moments where their inexperience shows. For me, I keep hoping Samsonov can find his north/south scoring game. I, however, am somewhat weary of seeing veterans like A.Ward and Wallin and Brind’Amour make the same foolish mistakes game after game; and with Brind’Amour I am especially tired of watching him play as if he would shatter into little tiny pieces if he ever made a body check with real intention to make a statement.

+1

I would take a Gaborik or Heatley or Kovalchuk over Staal. Those guys are true superstars, unlike Staal. He isn’t a superstar. He may be our franchise player, but that doesn’t make him a superstar by any means. The guys isn’t consistent enough to do so.

I found it funny the other night when Mike M. was bashing Staal, then John Forslund came on and stuck up for Staal. Mike’s argument changed quickly with the call-ins. I don’t blame Staal for the Atlanta game, but I do understand some do. That’s fine, but stick to your guns – I don’t respect wafflers.

You know Maurice would never do the smart thing.

+1, also not hard to be a number one guy on this team