Staal Needs to Step Up
by FoxtrotSierra on Mar 17, 2010 1:01 PM EDT
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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!
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I’m one of the biggest Staal supporters here and I agree with you 100%. Eric needs to step up his game. I know talented players sometimes lack work ethic, but this is not an excuse. This offseason, Eric needs to work on developing his faceoff ability, work on his shooting, work on his breakaway moves, and simply WORK! Eric has the talent and IMO is a top 20 player in the league already, but if he had Chad LaRose’s work ethic; he would be a top 5 player easily. It’s time for Staal to step up his game and show why he is a “Franchise” player.
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Just wondering …. as Staal supporters, as Caniacs, as fans of hockey, when is enough ,enough??? Lets continue to call him a superstar , a franchise player until he retires and we can all look back and say.. man what a tool Staal is. He played when he felt it was important to him, not for the team not for anyone but when it was convenient for him.. its official folks, I love the Canes’ I am a Staal hater!!! All the fist pumpin’ , mouth opening doesn’t impress me, Brindy works harder than he does. Work ethic is something that you bring to the table, not something that someone else cooks up and puts on your plate. He is who he is, and thats fine but stop blowing smoke up his ass and call him for what he is… A talented top 20 player in the league, not a SUPERSTAR. Let the shots at me begin……..
I admit that Staal needs to improve his consistency and certain parts of his game, but I don’t believe you are correct in saying that he only plays for himself. The guy has carried the Canes on his back at times in the past and will probably do so again in the future. If you are a Staal hater, you will tend to focus on all of the negatives and that will be your opinion of him. If you are a Staal lover, you will focus on the positives. Its like that with almost every player, no matter what sport.
Again, Eric needs to work on parts of his game and needs to have a stronger work ethic, but the guy is a star player. Superstar, no, not at this time, but he can be. Time will only tell what his future holds.
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by PackPride17 on Mar 17, 2010 9:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lots of times we needed him to carry the team and he hasn’t. I do agree with your points..Just a very frustrated, disappointed fan right now… I will say he needs to come a long way before my opinion of him is changed…
There are certain Canes players that I do not care for and I make comments about them. Then there are others I do like, but refrain from making any negative comments about because of the CC wrath. Just for example (and watch how this probably goes), Gleason is one of my favorite players, but he f*cks up time to time. When I make negative comments about him, I often get attacked. Whitney is another, everybody loves Ray. But he is about as inconsistent as Staal and you never here anything about him. Its just funny to me how some players do no wrong and Staal never does enough. I know Staal gets paid “the big bucks” and the pressure and criticism come along with that. I just get frustrated feeling like I have to defend him all the time. He is a very good player, but if you just read this website – you would swear he is a complete bum. Everybody has the right to say what they want, I just don’t find it fair and completely accurate.
Whatever your feelings are on Staal, it is obvious (to me) that this team generally lives and dies by him. When he is playing well, the Canes usually do also. When he is being shut down, the Canes usually struggle. He is probably the key to success of this team whether anybody likes it or not.
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by PackPride17 on Mar 17, 2010 9:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well said, thats what is so frustrating, if this team lives and dies by him and his consistency is lacking and he is getting shut down, then the Canes have a problem.. I like Timmy also, but he also has not done shit lately.. Yes a blocked shot here and there, yee haa.. IMHO the consistent players right now are.. Ruutu, Sutter, Dwyer, Juice… And your absolutely right about the CC wrath… Any negative word about Gleason, C. Ward you are pummeled. But thats ok, Gleason is our top D man.. we do not have a Green, or a Brian Campbell ( you get my drift) .. As far as defending, your opinion is all that needs to be defended, not Staals play or abilities.. We know what he can do, just want to desperately see more of it…
I think you might be surprised to find that many of us who are Gleason or Ray (or whoever) fans are totally OK with saying they f**ked up. Gleason f**ks up some of the time, Ray does it, hell, everyone does. I don’t think Ray’s as inconsistent as you’re saying, but he certainly has off nights. Still, he works hard and even when he f**ks up, he is at least trying to make things happen.
My biggest issue with Staal is that he accepts the “superstardom” — taking the A and now the C, taking the top salary, but he doesn’t bring the work ethic consistently. Even when he’s not trying, he’s still ahead of a lot of the pack, and his pure skill has gotten him this far. BUT, we know what he can do, so when he’s not giving his all (echoes of grade school: “you’re not applying yourself!”) we notice it more.
Yes, he’s not a bum — he still does a hell of a lot for the team even when he’s not trying — but if there’s anything I’ve learned about most of the folks here at CanesCountry, it’s that we’re content with losing if people are actually working hard. However, if you’re not out there working your ass off, you’ll hear it here first.
When Staal’s played well, I’ve pointed it out, and when Staal’s skating big arcs in the neutral zone rather than going back to help the defense when things get tough, I point that out too. I mostly get annoyed that whenever someone points out bad play, people get defensive without backing up why they think that same play is good. When Staal is skating lazily and someone says something about it, the response is usually “that’s just his style” or “why does everyone pick on him?” rather than “he’s waiting at the top of the zone for a breakaway chance.” (Sometimes that is what he’s doing and it’s a good thing, and sometimes it’s a bad thing and he should stop doing it and go help his team out.)
Anyways, just my $0.02. It’s OK to be defensive (I’m doing so right now! <grin>) — I just wish people would say why a little more rather than just being reactionary. :)
by Raccoon Fink on Mar 17, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
+10000 on RFink
I think Staal doesn’t help himself with the way he interviews. Most of the time, he’s so reserved, and unfortunately very predictable which makes him seem aloof.
I also felt like the “Triple-Gold Club” thing was not well-managed. His comments were very self-congratulatory and indulgent and further hurt my ability to forgive the guy for lack of hustle and commitment, but who apparently considers himself among the most elite hockey players of all time.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Mar 18, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
RF,
Your points are definitely valid. It is frustrated watching a game and wondering if Staal is going to be a difference-maker or not. I’ve actually said that Staal needs to improve his consistency ever since I joined CC. We all know he has the skills, but for whatever reason he doesn’t always “bring it” to the ice each night. If he ever puts the work behind the talent, he will be an unbelievable player.
I guess as a Staal fan, I try to look for the good aspects and I remember times where he has carried this team. I also maybe watch him closer or differently than you or others. For example: the Pothier OT goal against the Pens – I thought Staal and Ray did a good job battling along the boards to keep the puck in the offensive zone. I also felt that Staal did a good job of screening/distracting the goalie on the Pothier shot. Most of everything is perspective.
I do want to point out that not everyone here is so quickly to call out there favorite player(s) when they f*ck up. Take a look at the last game thread on Boston’s 2nd goal. You will not find any “calling out” of the Canes player that blew his coverage and allowed a defenseman to skate freely into the zone. It was not entirely that player’s fault, but he did mess up.
I have no problem with negative things being said about Staal, as long as it is warranted. Now my definition of “warranted” is probably different from yours and others. But this is what a blog is all about, people sharing their opinions and there will be some arguments based on those opinions. I do agree that backing up your statements is nice and is not done enough.
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by PackPride17 on Mar 18, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I do agree that backing up your statements is nice and is not done enough
I would agree with this 100%. At least let everyone know how you got to your conclusion. There is no right and wrong b/c alot of stuff is opinion, but seeing how you came to have that opinion would be helpfull not only to others but to the poster aswell. As Socrates suggest the purpose of an argument should not be to sway beliefs, but to help the other know why he believes what he does.
by CarolinaCanes on Mar 18, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
+2
well said folk…well said…I’d love to see Staal play and hustle like Rosie or Ruutu…
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
I ride Staals ass all the time b/c
I know what he can do and he is making the same abount that two Ray Whitneys make. Yet you do not see the effort on a night in night out basis. Ray is definatly on my shit list, but I in no way think he is inconsistant. It’s an 82 game season, players cant put up points every night and can’t dominate every night. It’s mainly due to length of season and talent of the league. Ray is a smaller player that needs space (whether or not he creates it or not). Not a dominant guy like Staal.
The best way to counter you Packpride17 (is that a Rivers refrence or Brind’amour????) on Whitney being “about” as inconsistant as Staal is this: Think about who gets hotter. Staal goes on absolute tears. He did ita few years ago when Rod went down and he almost got us into the play offs, he did it last year down the stretch going into the play offs. He just got off of one since he was named Capt’n. He goes on other-worldly hot streaks from time to time, yet Ray has lead the team in scoring two of the last three years. All of this doesn’t even take into consideration ice time,salary, or age. It will take the on-ice Ray Whitney doing nothing for weeks and weeks at a time before he is in the Staal class for me. I’m not even a Staal hater, I love the guy and totally agree if he had Rosies work ethic he would be top 5 easy. THAT is why I ride him so hard here on CC.
I missed the Bruins game so I can not comment on that. I know when the team loses people generally point out Staal. He is an easy scapegoat, much like Erik and Rod. All I can talk about are my very amaturish observations that I take based on the play on the ice.
Let me qualify my following statements about Ray. I like Ray and think he is one of the best players on the team right now. He is magical with the puck and does his part for this organization. I still do believe that Ray is inconsistent. There are stretches where Ray acts like a magician and disappears (so does Staal). There are also games that I feel Ray is ALMOST a liability on the ice. It’s usually against bigger, more physical teams. Again, I’m not trying to bash Ray – I’m just pointing out that he has his share of inconsistency.
As far as putting up points; that is not my only factor is deciding if a player had a good game or not. Points are important, but not a be all, end all. I do expect Staal to put up about a point per game, but I really expect him to be a force on the ice. I expect him to skate hard, draw the attention of the opposing team and open up holes for his teammates.
I’m really not trying to piss anybody off, I’m just voicing my opinion. And PackPride17 is a Rivers thing.
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I feel you man and your not going to piss me off. I like the fact that today we can say things about a player that is less than “glowing” and people can have a convo about it. I remember just a few years ago if you said anything bad about Staal or Rod or Erik etc you would get you head ripped off. Good points you made. I’m not Staal nor Whitney’s biggest fan but I TRY to see things in an objective point of view. I think that I expect way more from Staal than what is reasonable, but if Staal doesn’t like the expectations he should talk to his agent. He’s the guy that put it on him. Good points you’ve made.
by CarolinaCanes on Mar 19, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Just saw this off to the side...
I said this in another post – I think Staal is playing sick or with an(other) injury. I really hope he heals up over the summer. :(
Thank you Jim Rutherford and Ray Whitney for working together for Ray to stay a Hurricane! :)
My .02
I said this during the Olympics and took alot of shit for it, but I will say it again. Plain and simple, he turns it on and off, and doesn’t play nearly as hard for us as he did for Canada. I wish he would, but he doesn’t and it pisses me off. There is no way to justify the obvious difference in his play. I was shocked to see him check someone in the Oly like he meant it, and not just a little bump. I wish the #21 Staal that played for Canada was our #12 Staal. I would buy his jersey instead of the Sutter I’m going to buy to go along with my Gleason and Walker.
Staal comes and goes, yes, but he’s our franchise player for the next decade or so. May as well get used to him. He won’t shatter RF’s records but that would be hard to do for any player.
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