Draw The Line: Paul Maurice Looking At Combinations
by Bob Wage on Sep 28, 2010 2:23 PM EDT
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According to multiple sources who attended practice today, the Carolina Hurricanes were working on special teams and specific line combinations during their skate. Hockeymom was there and she "tweeted" that the powerplay units included:
Eric Staal, Brandon Sutter, and Patrick O`Sullivan, with Jamie McBain and Anton Babchuk at the points.
Jussi Jokinen, Tuomo Ruutu, Jeff Skinner, with Joe Corvo and Joni Pitkanen at the points.
Some folk here have been thinking about various line combinations all summer, (some more than others), and coach Paul Maurice put the following lines into place today, with the thought that he would give them a chance to play together tomorrow night in Florida. What he's looking for is some chemistry.
- Staal-Cole-O'Sullivan
- Sutter-Bowman-Ruutu
- Jokinen-Skinner-LaRose
- Dalpe,(Dwyer)- Kostopoulos-Tlusty
Zach Boychuk took turns mixing in on the fourth line. Jiri Tlusty removed his yellow sweater for the first time this training camp and was skating and hitting with the big boys.
Sergei Samsonov remains out with a sore neck. The team will make a decision on Thursday whether he is healthy enough to travel to Europe. If he is healthy, look for them to cut one more player, (forward). If not, Samsonov will stay home and the team will take the group they have assembled now.
On defense, the combinations were:
- Corvo-Gleason
- Pitkanen-Babchuk
- Harrison-McBain
Bobby Sanguinetti and Brett Carson are currently numbers seven and eight.
Three goalies will travel to Europe, Justin Peters, Cam Ward, and Justin Pogge.
The lines Maurice put together certainly have possibilities, but there is no telling where Samsonov will fit in when he returns. He could move O`Sullivan off the top line, all the way down to the fourth? Or Samsonov could replace Bowman on the second line, who would then be moved to the fourth in place of Tlusty?
It's anyone's guess how they will perform together, but one thing is certain. The lines will not stay this way for very long.
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There’s no way Harrison should be above both Sanguinetti OR Carson on the depth chart, much less both of them. The front office hamstrung themselves with a bad 1 way contract, and now by running Harrison out every night they want us to believe it’s because he should be in that spot.
I’m not drinking that kool aid.
and now by running Harrison out every night they want us to believe it’s because he should be in that spot.
It is funny you put that way. This prob merits it’s own thread at some point. So much of what this team does media wise is like a political campaign. From hiring Mo again and then having Chuck espouse the virtues of dump and chase as a valid, nay, desirable offensive strategy to trotting Johnny F out to blog about how the deal " May look bad now.. " ( I was not able to find that Blog post on CH.com any more…..hurm?) when we traded Jack Johnson, there is always some sort of angle being run. There is never a simply " We did x for x reason ". Having never lived in any other pro-sports market, I wonder if its any worse here than it is elsewhere.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Sep 28, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I get propaganda, but EVERYTHING here seems to have some sort of spin on it. Granted when you are in the moment, your perceptions are likely skewed. Is it the same with other sports teams or is the good ole boy nature of this org that lends itself to that perception, even when that is not what is going on.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Sep 28, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty close to what I thought, Sully seems like a good fit with Staal, both can create and finish, so hopefully they play off of each other. I like the PP units – Ruutu and Sutter will probably be in front of the net, Staal and Skinner down low, and Jokinen and Sully on the half boards. This is exactly what they should be doing, they have their camp down to a good number and seem to be working on the appropriate things for this time of year. I have to imagine the next thing will be defensive systems.
Look for Multiple Line Variations
As in the past, look for multiple combinations of lines throughout the rest of the pre-season and into the regular season. Four preseason games are not enough time to make any real conclusions about who is in and who is out. Remember that Tlusty has not played his first pre-season game and the honed down team has had its first practice today.
Bob,
Who exactly were you referring to when you said; “some more than others?”
:)
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
lmao….
BTW the picture that accompanies this leads me to believe that we need a caption contest.
For instance…… “Paul Maurice explains to Young Jeff Skinner how he will cure him of his offensive creativity and snap his will in two like a twig”
Or maybe someone could photoshop in a wii controller and make it look like he is playing mario kart.
That picture kind of looks like what I would like to do to Mo; strangle him!
I’m sorry, but I despise that man!
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
Or...
Get Harrison on the ice NOW…we are WINNING!!!
I think this one may win so far. I can actually see him saying it.
"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."
Photoshop Challenge
Have him holding a picture of the Cup. Closest he will ever come.
"Paul Maurice explains to Young Jeff Skinner how he will cure him of his offensive creativity and snap his will in two like a twig"
You won the contest before it ever began right there.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Sep 28, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t like the 3rd line. I know “The Chadness” is able and willing to throw his body around, but that’s a freakin’ midget line. Switch Cole and LaRose. Put at least one 6 footer on the line with Skinner.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
Agree that may be a concern against certain teams, but I like that line, Jussi’s seems like the perfect guy for Skinner to play with. Jussi’s playmaking ability and LaRose’s quickness seem like they’ll open the holes Skinner needs to score goals.
I agree that Jussi is an ideal partner for Skinner (being is he probably our best Playmaker), but I think Skinner needs a Cole/Ruutu/Staal also with him to create some space. No disrepsect for LaRose, he tries hard, he is just vertically challenged.
Paul Maurice's Comments at the We Love the Hurricanes Lunch today
At the We Love the Hurricanes Lunch Paul Maurice gave a state of the Hurricanes; and his comments were to the point and concise. He said that he could promise the fans that the emphasis for this year was for the team to play as hard as they possibly could play, work as hard in battling for pucks as they could, and to have fun in the process. He emphasized that with the team being so young, all the coaches felt it was critical that the team take advantage of the youthful enthusiasm; and that the product of the ice would be exciting.
This talk was significantly different in tone from last year’s comments on the team. It does seem that the focus on effort, enthusiasm, and excitement is genuine and that the coaches are well aware they have to maintain the energy and enthusiasm with so many young players on the roster. I think we all agree it’s critical that they follow through with that attitude during the predictable lulls that happen in every season when pucks bounce the wrong way or a goalie really does get hot and shut them down.
I also think the young players realize it’s a long season and that a number of positions remain up for grabs.
This is where Mo drops the ball...
He is so worried about “grinding” and “winning the puck battles”, he forgets what comes after that:
It does no good to win a puck battle in the corner when you turn around and make a bad pass or dump it in. We need to be able to SCORE after winning that “battle”.
SCORE
Warning. Anymore foul language like that will get you banned.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Sep 28, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Mo and offense...
You cant say Mo has no idea of offense. I find his coaching style very Offensive.
Not sure what to add about Harrison, only that the staff must think he’ll work well with a more offensive minded partner. But I don’t think he has the foot speed to cover for a roaming linemate. I can;t help but think he’ll fall in the depth chart once his play becomes obvious and/or the team really is struggling to score goals.
On the forward side I like Sully with Staal, but would rather see Jokinen instead of Cole.
Not sure how Sully would to in the circle but I hate the idea of my #1 line losing possession 60% of the time because Staal can’t win a draw. Jussi on that top line taking the draw would give the line a chance to keep possession at least half the time. You have a 45 second shift and your top line is chasing the puck for 30 of those seconds 60% of the time. Not great use of your top scoring threats. Yes that opens a void at the 3rd line center spot, but as we all understood this to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, I am okay with Dalpe getting a good hard look at the spot, especially now that the roster is down to pretty much the NHL squad. Heck he’s done better than anyone in the circle for the most part this preseason. Let Rosie center a 4th line. Hmmm, that would give us 4 lines with a little jump and a scoring threat.
O’Sullivan- Staal – Jussi
Ruutu- Sutter- Cole/Tlusty ( great grinding line)
Cole/Tlusty- Dalpe-Bowman/Boychuk
Kostpoulos- LaRose-Dwyer/Bowman/
Dalpe is ready I think, and if he loses steam hopefully Nash will have his pro hokey timing down and will be ready to come up, which I feel strongly that he will this year.
Question
Why are the ’Canes carrying three goalies? Are they concerned about Wardo staying healthy, or is it just an emergency thing (going to Europe, maybe you should carry 3 just in case).
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
It’s for Europe … they’ll go back to two once they’re back in North America
by Cory Lavalette on Sep 28, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
25 down to 23
When the Hurricanes return from the European trip, they can’t carry more than 23 players. Pogge, I imagine, will be sent down even though he has to pass through waivers. From there once Samsonov is ready, two more players have to be sent down. If the Hurricanes keep eight defensemen on the roster, two forwards have to be sent down at minimum.
Right
Thanks guys.
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Sep 30, 2010 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m liking that first line. Sully has been a brilliant surprise and pick up by JR so far. Of course it only matters in the regular season, but perhaps Sully can pick up some of Ray Whitney’s slack on that line. Keeping Cole on the other wing seems like a good idea as well. As much as I like Jussi with Staal, it would be a bad idea to have two small wingers on our first line. We need a power forward, and Cole fits that bill to some degree.
Glad to see Skinner make it as well. Just curious as to how the Canes will play this. Will they keep Skinner here all year or just see what he can do in 9 nine games and send him back regardless of how he plays?
Honestly, this could turn into one of the most exciting seasons for this team in recent history.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
What exactly are O’sullivan’s connections to North Carolina?
He was raised here or something like that? Anybody know what area/schools?
he was Born In canada but...
spent the 1st 8 years of his life in Winston Salem,NC….sadly he like other young people then as today have had to endure troubles and tials on the home front..but look at it this way…what he has learned turned him into a dedicated hard working player that JR wanted for the Hurricanes…and so far…and like with the Juice…O’Sullivan is doing his best to play hockey at the NHL level not worried about the past as he learned from the past and went on…too bad fans can’t always seem to understand that fact and love the soap opera mentality and try to read more into something than what’s really there…but like O’Sullivan making a choice to go and leave the past behind…each fan here and elsewhere …must also make the same choice…keep chewing on an empty bone getting no value from it or going on and NOT looking…the choice is for each to make…so what do we, fans chose to do ??
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
Snobby Attitudes Suck !
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=538865&cmpid=rss-rosen
Interesting article about the Canes traveling to the KHL for their last preseason game.
New Depth Chart at www.carolinahurricanes.com
Paul Branecky has a new depth chart up at www.ch.com
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/depthchart.htm?dcid=12
Forwards:
O’Sullivan/Staal/Cole
Bowman/Sutter/Ruutu
Skinner/Jokinen/LaRose
Tlusty/Dalpe/Kostopouls
Dwyer Boychuk
Defense:
Corvo/Gleason
Pitkanen/Babchuk
Harrison/McBain
Carson/Sanguinetti
Goalies:
Ward
Peters
Pogge
Among the forwards, O’Sullivan and LaRose would be whom I would consider smallish players. LaRose is obviously no shrinking violet with regard to physical contact. It’s looks to me to be a set of forward lines that could be hard to play against as long as everybody is ready to battle, i.e., no gliding back on back-checks, no pulling up on forechecks, full commitment to net presence, etc. Bowman has truly earned the right to show what he can do on the top six, I think. I don’t envision Bowman as a player who will ever easily give up that spot; and his work ethic will never be in doubt.
I still think O’Sullivan can be our poor man’s Ray Whitney. Interesting to see Jussi centering Skinner and LaRose. That line could put up points if the gel correctly.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Top Six, Top Nine, Top 12
Any way one parses the first six, first nine, first twelve, there is an impressive array of talent. Skinner, O’Sullivan, and Bowman add significant scoring firepower potential. There may well be times when the youthfulness of the team causes some awkward moments on the ice; but it is going to be an exciting hockey on the ice. Boychuk and Dwyer seem at the moment to have a bit of an uphill battle to break into the lineup, but I wouldn’t count either player out of the mix just yet.
I like that 2nd line as a shutdown line (maybe sub in Tlusty for Bowman on tougher opponents). I could see Skinner, O’Sullivan, Cole, and Larose moving around the 1st and 3rd lines depending on opponents and who is hot.
I just hope they can get their PP up and running. I REALLY like that top-6 PP forward list. Skinner/Ruutu/Jokinen would be a great line in general. Sutter centering Staal/O’Sullivan so we don’t lose those key PP faceoffs is a great idea also.
AD – the thing about this configuration is that it ignores the Samsonov factor (unless he really is a significant amount of time away from full recovery) and it assumes that Tlusty is closer to 100% than I certainly think he is….but it does point out a path that puts a potentially high scoring, albeit smallish team on the ice.
A scenario that I see is that Sammy doesn’t go to Europe. Bowman and Dalpe have proven themselves a tiny bit more that Zac Boychuk and therefore get the initial call. Tlusty has just got to be rusty/tentative/slow given his surgery.
I think that despite JRs comments to the contrary, Skinner has always been slated to be sent back to Kitchener. And that is purely a financial decision. Is it fair? Maybe not. Does it make sense for the broader organization? Absolutely. How? Well when Sammy comes back (who has been touted as having a great camp), he takes the 3rd line LW position. Dalpe gets the 3rd line C and Tlusty takes Rosey’s place on the 3rd line (giving a bit more size on that line). 4th line is as it should be – LaRose/Dwyer/K-Stop….Dwyer and Rosey get major PK time as well and Rosey takes a few shifts on the 3rd and 2nd line from time to time.
I’ve just got this gut feeling that Skinner goes back down…in the long run that allows for both Nash and Boychuk to prove their mettle in Charlotte and be the 1st call ups. Just my two cents….
in all honesty, it DOES make more sense to sent him back to kitchener…it would allow us to make better use of his 3 year ETC
by ECUCanesFan on Sep 28, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Samsonov's Return and the Domino effect
Assuming nobody else is banged up, when Samsonov returns, there will be something of a domino effect. It sounds as if Samsonov will not make the trip to Europe unless something dramatically changes with his condition. Also, with regard to Tlusty, he really has very little time to get his timing or NHL game speed now that the Florida game is canceled.
I can see strong arguments for returning Skinner back to Kitchener; but the feeling I have is that Skinner will be kept up at Carolina this year. My impression is that nobody within the organization can say when this basic group of players will make a long run for the Stanley Cup; but they really are convinced it is a matter of time. As a result, it seems to me the prevailing thought at present is to keep Skinner on the team. I would imagine that Jim Rutherford wants to see if the team jells and can make it into the playoffs.
I also agree that based on the training camp, Bowman and Dalpe have had slightly better camps than Boychuk. Bowman in particular has had an excellent camp and particularly with his hitting and defensive positioning. I really don’t know what will happen with regard to sending down one or two forwards once the team has to be reduced to 23 players. One also has to bear in mind that the upcoming games and particularly the two games in Helsinki will play a significant role in the decision. The preseason is great training, but everything can quickly change once the season starts.
With Skinner the issue is twofold, as it is with any highly touted draft pick.
Number one, can going back to junior hockey really add anything to the development of the player?
Number two, can the player be used effectively on the NHL roster?
Based on everything I have read and seen ( thanks Canes Vision!) Skinner looks to have grown as a player during camp. He is adapting pretty well to the pro game, at least from a skill level. Plucking him out of that environment and dropping him back in juniors would stop that right now, and he’d have to re-acclimate when he came back up. Junior hockey at this point really won’t push his development. He’d gain little to none as far as skill level goes, and maybe gain a bit of leadership experience as he’d be expected to be a leader on his team.
Now can he be of value to the big club? I think he can if the team is willing to realize he may need a night off here and there. Sitting in the press box for 60 games won’t cut it, he may as well play junior hockey, but if the team feels he has earned a spot in the top 12 then I’d say let him stay. At the very least play him or keep him up until the decision has to be made.
One thing I’d add to this is if he went back to junior he would likely play for Canada at the WJCs, and that is always highly competitive and a great test for any young player. High pressure.
by Cory Lavalette on Sep 29, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Per the N&O today
In Wednesday’s practice, some defensive changes were made. Tim Gleason was paired with Jamie McBain, Joe Corvo with Joni Pitkanen, and Anton Babchuk with Jay Harrison.
Read more: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/boychuk-reassigned-to-checkers#ixzz10xfmOy6x
Babchuk and Harrison? OMG !!
Jesus Maurice! Stop trying to put a square peg (Harrison) in a round hole. If you subtrat Harrison’s name and insert Carson or Sanguinetti, those wouldn’t be horrible pairings.
It appears JR has gone out and added a POS for Staal's LW!
by PackPride17 on Sep 29, 2010 7:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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