Clicks and Clippings: Feeling lucky?
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 1:19 PM EDT
53 comments
Was that the most important game of the Carolina Hurricanes' season last night? I think even the most optimistic of us are ready to acknowledge the hole dug last fall really was too deep to accomplish a playoff miracle this spring. But as always here in the Caniac Nation, we will find a way to focus on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- If it's not this year, it's safe to say we're in great shape for next year.
- The pain and uncertainty of the trade deadline day is behind us.
- The Hurricanes statistics since the first of the year are remarkable, and show this team has what it takes to win - and often.
- And lucky us, we're getting a great look at the very promising young future of the franchise.
With the weather forecast pushing 70F through the weekend, I believe spring is here at last. Hockeymom says we need to cheer on the hometeam with style and pride that has earned Carolina its reputation as a favorite fanbase in the NHL. Don't forget, we still have Helsinki in October. Before that, there is some work to do in Los Angeles in late June.
New No. 1: Seguin tops ISS draft rankings for March There is a battle down the stretch to be the NHL's top-ranked draft prospect. International Scouting Services released their mid-season rankings for the month of March and Plymouth Whalers forward Tyler Seguin is the new top dog.
TSN.ca: NHL DRAFTCENTRE May be time to bookmark this one, Caniacs. And, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty close to removing this one from the bookmark bar.
And on this beautiful spring day, the irrepressible LaRose is in bloom in Carolina From NHLPA.com, There are a lot of reasons Chad LaRose could be miserable these days. But he’s not and that should come as no surprise to anyone who knows the popular Carolina forward.
After the jump, the Albany River Rats readies for a big weekend as they look forward to the AHL playoffs, and a bit more news around the league.
Albany
"Rats prepare for another 4-in-5" by Rat Tales It has been a little harder to keep a pair of goalies healthy. Justin Peters is up with Carolina, rookie Mike Murphy, Justin Pogge and professional-tryout-signee Ryan Mior all are injured. Mike Morrison has won in his last four appearances, including all three games this past weekend.
The American Hockey League | Races heating up Albany, with a boost from Jerome Samson and his 11 goals and eight assists in his last 12 games, has solidified its hold on second place, earning points in seven straight contests (5-0-0-2).
Murphy king of Kingston - Belleville Intelligencer It was a much-needed piece of good news for Mike Murphy, sidelined by a broken finger since Feb. 14.
Osala has taken to new surroundings - The (Troy) Record Sports
"And I feel I’m far away from my peak, so it’s a good environment because the coaches are good teachers," said Oskar Osala, who has posted four points with the River Rats, including two goals in Friday’s 4-3 victory at Rochester. "I haven’t had a teaching coach in a while, so it’s good to learn from these guys who have played at the highest level so much."
Arena turns eye to Devils: Times Union - Albany NY Albany may reunite with N.J. affiliate as Pirates talks end.
Dalpe named a finalist for player of the year Zac Dalpe is a finalist for the RBC Financial Group Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year Award. The winner will be announced March 18. So I'm wondering, when will he be moving to Albany?
NHL's "justice system" under siege: Headshots, Cooke and Ovechkin
NHL could have stopped Bruins retaliation for Cooke hit on Savard - Michael Farber - SI.com Instead of playing the vigilante, the Bruins reacted mostly like adults and trusted the NHL justice system. To borrow from Sarah Palin, how'd that hope-y thing work out for you? Cooke went unpunished.
Evaluating Alex Ovechkin after another hard hit and more punishment - washingtonpost.com Is Alex Ovechkin, the most potent force in the game, also the most reckless and dangerous?
NHL kick-starts process to implement head shot rule - The Globe and Mail Eric Duhatschek: League to start educating teams in effort to get new rules in place before end of season
Controversy where there should be none - The Globe and Mail Here's one issue far too important to have clouded by NHL's justice problems
Positive outlook helps teen cope with injury Marc-André Émond, 15, is determined to walk again after a hit from behind left the hockey player paralyzed
Hurricanes' Alumni
Does Flyers' season hinge on Leighton's injury? | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/16/2010 Leighton injured his ankle last night, which is made more serious when reading this: All Flyers GM Holmgren can do is watch as playoffs approach | Philadelphia Daily News But we think Michael Leighton is good enough to lead us into the playoffs.
Dennis Seidenberg is fitting right in - The Boston Globe
NHLPA.com | Washington Works For Walker "To be honest, I’m really jacked," Scott Walker told NHLPA.com moments after the trade.
And speaking of Thursday night's opponents, the Washington Capitals: Backstrom Is Caps' Most Indespensible Player Typically cast in Ovechkin’s shadow, Nicklas Backstrom has reached that elite level in just his third season and people around the league are taking notice.
Mores lists:
Backchecking: Trying To Reward the Intangibles One of the many challenges presented when trying to evaluate hockey players is attempting to measure the impact of the "intangible" elements on the game. Nice to see Tommy K getting some recognition.
The Hockey News: Top 10: 35-and-over NHLers Where's Whitney?
A closer look at the NHL's busiest callups - The Globe and Mail Which players are logging the most miles going between their NHL and AHL teams?
A little Irish luck and even some Blarney:
The Hockey News: Top 10: NHLers with Irish surnames Matt Cullen and Cam Ward re-united.
NHL Auctions Hockey Memorabilia Listing #115500785 2010 Olympic Winter Games - Team USA - #4 Tim Gleason - White 1960 Retro Game-Worn Jersey - Worn 2/21/10 vs. Canada
Thrashers change all remaining games to "Early Bird special" tilts to suit Chelios | Intent to Blow The Atlanta Thrashers announced Tuesday that all remaining games on the schedule would be played at an Early Bird special start time of 2 PM Eastern.
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I am SOOOOO glad that we can now move past the “can we make the playoffs” crap. Wasn’t going to happen. We are stuck with nothing but a decent 2 months of hockey to reflect upon now that this is essentially over. Oh, and we’ll have to watch Brind’Amour on the ice for a lot more minutes now that this is his swan song. What ever we do in the offseason, we need a face-off guy.
Go Canes!
Faceoffs
You know, your comment about “we need a face-off guy” prompted me to do a bit of research to check up on an impression I had over the past few games that we were getting killed in the faceoff circle.
Turns out that we’ve struggled for a couple of games, but are actually holding our own. I suppose I was focusing on those bad results and not the good results that restore balance.
Over the past 5 games, here are the faceoff results:
Boston: 37 (Boston) / 24 (Carolina) – Staal beaten badly
Phoenix: 26 (Phoenix) / 25 (Carolina) – pretty even
Pittsburgh: 24 (Pittsburgh) / 38 (Carolina) – Crosby struggled
Washington: 35 (Washington) / 28 (Carolina) – Staal beaten once again
Atlanta: 28 (Atlanta) / 31 (Canes) – once again, pretty even
Cumaltive results over the past 5 games: 150 (opponents) / 146 (Carolina) – pretty even results
So, despite losing Cullen and Yelle, both pretty good in the faceoff circle, we’re actually holding our own. Have to admit, this was not my impression of where we were, before taking a look at the stats.
However, Staal, in particular, looks like he could stand a brownbag session or two with Francis/Brind’Amour/whoever.
Staal
He was matched up against Bergeron for most of the night who’s one of the best, I can’t remember who he matched up against Washington, but I think it was Backstrom who was 66% against us. Staal should be at least 50% against most centermen, there’s a couple of guys that are just awesome and he’s just not going to beat them: Steckel, Gaustad, Bergeron, Belanger, Crosby. Staal ranks 86th in the NHL, not very good.
Interesting. They actually put up Face-Off reports with the stat sheets of the Game recaps so you can look at all the head-to-head and which zone (off/neu/def).
Last night, vs Boston, Staal struggled against Krejci as well.
Here’s the one vs the Caps last week.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I knew they had those reports, because I’ve looked at them in the past.
Thanks for pulling a couple of them up, however, as I didn’t dig that deeply this time. They’re always fun to study.
I had noted that Dwyer had also struggled through all five games, but that’s probably to be expected.
How ‘bout ol’ Sutter in the circle?
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
He makes Staal look bad, doesn’t he? A regular curve-breaker, that Brandon.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
And he doesn’t even fall over during the faceoff anymore! That used to be quite the issue with him-he would almost always end up face first on the ice.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Love your new tagline. Where’s that from? (Sorry if I just noticed).
Part of the face-off move (as my peewee was learning a couple weeks ago) is to lean into your opponent to prevent him from charging forward after you win. Perhaps Sutter didn’t have the timing down?
BTW – I’ve got a little experience in the faceoff circle now (that’s me in the red helmet at the end-of-season peewee vs parent game, wearing my squirt’s #30 goalie jersey). The coach (in green) is holding back our lead face-off boy to make sure I had a chance. :
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s awesome! I’m sure that game was a lot of fun! Yes I think Sutter hadn’t quite figured out how to stop leaning once his opponent had moved. He’s gotten stronger and faster (certainly not bigger) so perhaps that’s made the difference. Or perhaps they did what my mom insists-put bricks in his hockey pants so he wouldn’t tip forward.
And the tagline’s source is completely escaping me right now. I think Elsker posted it originally and I just had to have it for my signature.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I remember when Sutter was just starting to take FO’s this year and he and Yelle were practicing. Yelle smoked him 10-10. I believe Sutters first instinct was to skate away after the drop. I think Rod and Yelle taught him to lean into it and there just isn’t enough ass on the boy to keep him up yet. If you watch Rodf when he is serious, he all but is standing on his when it touches the ice, rare is it he get’s it swept away. Lot to be said for leaning into it.
HM, way to go! Those little buggers work hard huh? 2 minutes is a looooong time on the ice.
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
there just isn’t enough ass on the boy to keep him up yet.
Hence the need for bricks in his hockey pants. :D
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
caniacgirl's tagline
I posted that quote on the “Sutter Out, Samson In” Coyote preview thread, and she said at the time that she had found her new signature line.
It’s a verbatim quote I heard Stan Fischler say on NHL Live on March 12th:
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Thanks for filling in my mental blank Elsker. It’s not often you find a quote that sums up a player so perfectly so thank you again for finding it and bringing it to my attention.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
My son grinned ear-to-ear the whole time. I think he was laughing at me. Imagine that!
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Staal and Injuries
I could easily be mistaken, but I think Staal is still not 100% from his upper body/rib/shoulder injuries. I predict we will learn after this season ends that he was not been 100% for the entire season.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he and Gleason both got hurt in Vancouver.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Not 100% ??
gee then the Staal we saw on TV for the plympics as a bio-clone and NOT really him ? I know players at all levels this time of year are pretty bruised & banged up…but still…i find that pill a tough one to swallow AD…not saying you are not correct…but it seems just a wee bit far fethced to me…
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
Well, I could be wrong; and it won’t be long before the Hurricanes’ season ends. We will hear either way. Staal carries himself as if he has sore ribs or a sore shoulder — at least to my old eyes.
sent by iphone
Trip Tracy...
Did say that Staal hadn’t got his legs back yet during the Phoenix game…
Thank you Jim Rutherford and Ray Whitney for working together for Ray to stay a Hurricane! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Mar 17, 2010 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Hall/Seguin
This seems like the first year in a while that there’s not a consensus #1, so it’s going to be really tough for the team with the 1st pick, the team with the 2nd pick will have a pretty easy job unless they badly need a dman. It will interesting to see what the final NHL Central Scounting Rankings will be. Both have amassed pretty impressive point totals and share the scoring title with 106 points – Hall played six less games but plays on a better team, so who knows.
It was up in the air last year, I’d say.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 17, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Close
There was no way NYI was going to pick Hedman and they probably need a dman more than a forward.
Wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for them to deal down so someone could take Hedman tho. Agree, tho … NYI couldn’t take another public relations hit.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 17, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, Other Factors
They didn’t want to take that risk, plus they really wanted him, a lot of teams made good offers for Tavares (Burkie). I think the 2 others things that separated Tavares was his performance at the WJC’s versus Hedman; Hedman played well, but Tavares was awesome (US game + Russian game) and the fact that other than the WJC the only people that really saw Hedman play were European scouts versus Tavares who’s been scouted since he was 12, so I think it was a no brainer they knew exactly what they were getting.
Thanks HM2
great effort…and personally i was already looking forward to next season…not being negitive, as i was and am hopeful that something good will come out of this (2009-2010) season. but i am also being realistic…enjoy the rest of the day…get out and get some sun…be safe everyone…and for the love of your friends and family…don’t drink …if you do do it at home…but again, it’s your choice…chose wisely…please !!!
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
Tracking the Storm blog‘s Paul Branecky just put up a feature story on Jamie McBain’s game last night, and other plans for the Caps game tomorrow nigh.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
Yo HM2
+22 :-) Thank you…good article..i as on my way over there but wanted to peek in here first…hehehe..
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
After the Hurricanes Get Mathematically Eliminated
I think after the Hurricanes get officially mathematically eliminated, I think and hope the Hurricanes will figure out a way to bring up some more Albany Rats. I suspect for financial reasons, they will not healthy scratch veterans, although that would be one way to get more Albany Rats on the ice. It does seem that the Hurricanes management plans to send some of the players back to Albany so they can compete in the playoffs.
I also hope that the younger players will consider making arrangements to train in Raleigh in the off-season. Who knows, maybe the folks at CC would be able to follow the players who stay here at their training sessions. It seems that it will be a long, long off-season for players, coaches, the organization and the fans. I may try going to the Albany Rats playoff games to get my live hockey fix. It is hard to envision traveling to see another NHL team try for the Stanley Cup — when it still feels like it belongs in Carolina.
I am all for sending Rats down to compete for the AHL cup. With the season all but over for the big league team, the younger guys would be better served (imo) fighting in the playoffs versus ice time that’s meaningless, even at the NHL level. Give them a chance to bond and work together, because several of them will be Canes next season.
Without another winning streak
the Canes will pick somewhere in the top 3. According to last year’s lottery (and forgive me, but I don’t know how the formula works) the team will have a decent shot at the number one pick.
What if the Canes get the number one pick, and the Bruins (from Toronto) pick third? Could JR move that pick and get Boston’s third and their other first — in the 15ish range? Throw in a player/2nd round pick and get two guys in the top 20? That might be a win.
Here’s another attempt to clarify the draft lottery process, this from James Mirtle in 2008.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Osala & the Rats
The rats beat the Worster Sharks 5-3 with Osala getting 2 goals 1 in the first and the other in the 3rd period…they had trouble staying out of the box tonight…hmmm just as the canes do…naw couldn’t a coinsidence could it ?? Lets Go Rats !!
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
I really liked O2’s comments about how he hadn’t had a teaching coach in a long time and was very pleased with his experience with Jeff Daniels and crew so far.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
whoopos !! Silly me
I forgot to post the link for the game sumery sheet…sheesh…i am getting old…here ya go folks…
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007040
sorry about that…when the rats win or play as good as they have i gets so excited…like i do over a bag of cheetos !!!
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
+3 – how cool for Osala to make such an impact so quickly. He was getting buried in Hershey. Excellent!
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Oskar Osala
Adding his accomplishments tonight into his individual stats to date, Oskar is now 6-2-8 after 7 games played for Albany, compared with a 15-14-29 track record after 53 games for Hershey.
He’s certainly off to a hot start with the new team.
Brimming with confidence, he is.
WOW. I know it’s “just” the regular season, but the Devils sweep the Pens this year, 6-0 head-to-head in their series.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
And owned them. Malkin missing can’t be the key, the Devils own them. The end of the game was on a PP 6-4 for the Pens and still no joy. I think the Pens run is done they are merly contenders at this point. That leaves the craps, and the DEvils as the Beasts of the East. Do we get to slay one tom.?
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
I saw the tail end of that. Did Flower get chased?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 17, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, earlyish. He had a bad day and everybody in front of him had a bad day. Was one flurry (no pun, seriously) where there was maybe 2-3 guys behind him sweeping crap out of the net, was pitiful if you are a Pens fan.
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
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