I write the following in hopes it is received in the vein of constructive criticisim.  Last night against Boston I noticed certain players giving their all (Whitney, Jokinen, Ruutoo, Pitkanen, Samsonov, and Cole most notably) and others who appeared to be going through the motions (the defense as a whole and Erich Staal).  I have been disappointed in Staal's effort for the past few games.  My complaints in particular are:

1.  Staal can be a real force and a HORSE (power player) on the ice, but only displays this capability in a game here and there.  He's the Captain, he needs to be ERICH STAAL on the ice, not erich staal.

2.  Staal has a a bad habit on the ice which in my opinion is costing him goals.  When he tries to make a play, he stops on the ice and looks to see what happens.  He is then flat-footed and when the rewsult of the plays sends pucks in his direction he can't get to them before the opponents do.   Listen, I'm no hockey guru, I'm just a fan.  I just wish someone like Whitney, Cole, etc. would observe Staal to see if I'm correct in my observation.  If they find that my observation is valid, it would be more appropriate that they, as his peers, would point out this habit constructively.

Again, I write not to crtitisize, but trying to help.  When the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice, Staal is OUR MAN.  He's our superstar.  He's as valuable to this team as any other player in the league is to theirs.  He's our HORSE.

Another thought as long as I'm writing, RAY WHITNEY COME BACK NEXT YEAR.  WE NEED YOU!