Quick Hits For Tuesday: "It Don't Come Easy"
by Bob Wage on Sep 7, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
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PrintMuch like anything worthwhile, building a successful hockey franchise is a process.
Winning in the NHL takes more than money and intellect; it requires patience, perseverance, and resolve. Sometimes, the best situations emerge from periods of misery and dejection. Such is the case for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Inside Hockey published their Carolina Hurricanes season preview last week and they had several positive things to say, including that the team is heading in the right direction with their rebuilding.
From January 21st to the end of the season, the Hurricanes went 21-13-3. That record gave Carolina a 1.216 point/game pace, which amounts to 99 points over the course of a full season. That rate would have been good enough for fourth place in the Eastern conference.
The author asks the same question everyone else is asking, can the Canes repeat their performance from the second half of last season?
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Puck Daddy also put out a season preview of the Hurricanes yesterday, (in his ongoing "cute" wrestling format), and most of the information provided was pretty much spot on, except for saying that Karmanos was "selling the team" and not "selling a portion of the team". There's a big difference.
For his predictions, Wyshynski is calling for Babchuk to be a flop, the powerplay to regress, and for the Canes to finish out of the playoffs.
The Hurricanes have been mentioned as a darkhorse in the East, but what team in the East doesn't have at least a glimmer of a chance at making the postseason cut? The real question is whether they will or will not make the playoffs; and the answer is that, as currently constructed, they will not. Too young, not enough pop and if Ward doesn't carry them, they don't get near the playoff bubble.
Agree or disagree?
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Later in the day, we will be releasing more information about Canes Country Night and the Charlotte Checkers home opener. Stay tuned!
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"Lock and Load"
I happen to have a nice comfy Hurricanes flag for Wyshynski to sit on and watch as the Hurricanes powerplay becomes the most feared in the league… even Goalies will be hitting the deck when Babs, Corvo and McBain start firing missles at them…
This is just a great picture. Babs is putting even 100% of his freaking face muscles into that shot, this is why he will score 15+ goals again this year.
Babs looked good on the ice today, IMO. I thought he skated smoothly and was rather positionally sound as they did their scrimmages. Poor Justin Pogge had to face some one-timers from him as they were wrapping up practice. Nothing like baptism by fire!
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Sep 7, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
If the young guys can step up and deliver with the given opportunity then the hurricanes have a good shot. Justin Peters should be mature enough to handle a backup role this season, he’s been in the system for 5 years now. with Corvo and Babchuk back that lessens their dependance on McBain to step up in his first full year. If Staal and the rest of the forwards can play consistent, they have a chance. Tlusty needs to have a breakout year to prove he’s not gonna be a total bust. It’ll be interesting who will make the team out of camp with a few roster spots open. I’m rooting for Jerome Samson and Zac Dalpe to step it up
His reasoning for our PP dropping off is losing Whitney.
Is he oblivious to the pieces added to the PP?
I can count one piece lost (Whitney) and one piece gained (Babchuk) since the trade deadline.
Maybe you’re adding McBain, as well, but he would be replacing an existing forward or defenseman if we’re working him into the powerplay rotation.
From a sheer points standpoint, Babchuk (9 PP goals in ‘08-’09) for Whitney (7 PP goals each of last two seasons) is a gain, or at least a wash.
But, we will need to replace Whitney’s set-up passes from the sidewall area, as he was the quickest “touch” passer of our PP units. Should be plenty of candidates to do so, and they could all stand to work on their passing skills.
Here we are now...entertain us.
I don’t think so, who have we added that has proven to have Whitney’s play making ability? Jokinen is most likely going to be offensive QB on our 1st unit, I think he’ll do OK, but I’d rather have Whitney in that spot. With the information at hand, I tend to agree with the Puck Daddy preview, as hard as it is to hear too many unproven players.
I’m with you on this one. There really wasn’t anything in there that I hadn’t already thought to myself although perhaps not as sarcastically.
"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."
Hey CG, been a long summer, eh! yeah Wysh has a flair for that. But he is even handed with it, unlike that POS Lambert. That guy is just a douchenozzle..
It’s been way too long of a summer. It needs to be October NOW. Same here-I can’t stand Lambert and oftentimes don’t even read his stuff.
"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."
it’s nothing to be mad about, this year has been sold as a rebuilding year which is what it looks like. If the rookies thrive & the Hockey Gods smile on us and we’re in the playoffs come late April that’s great. For the most part it looks like everyone is here and in good shape, so if we get off to a good start then who knows.
while stat wise Mr. "W"
maybe spot on or correct 85% of the time or better ( cough, cough, hack hack …flem ball) But even looking over who is already inked in on the team verses the few slots the canes do have open…we do have the likes of a Samsone,Dodge who can and have shown their ability & heart to play their hearts out till they puke type of play…remember anyteam who does make the play offs is not the prettiest nor the most “stylish” looking team…but the team that has and will do what ever it takes to win…and let’s be honest…yes we do have several unkowns at this very moment…but from the reports we have been reading and the pics and vids many of us here have seen thanks to LTD & etc…the only thing stopping the canes from coming out like david verses goliath is themselves…and trust me those few players who do and will make the first cut who will go to helsinki won’t be looking for a free ride…as we saw the likes of McBain, Boychuk step it up even though they were rough around the edges…but the best way to hone them is to play them…until they prove they are not ready…but i have a feeling many of us here will surprised to see who does make it and who will fight kick and scratch to keep a play whewn called up from Charlotte..this seasons team does hold alot of promise, but it holds more than that or even hope…it has the heart & soul to do what is needed…but like everyone else…this fan will just have to sit back and wait & see…but wouldn’t be awesome,fantastic or a major miricle that the canes do finish 5th in the east the Checkers do just as well in the AHL…whoa baby..that would be something to see huh ?
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
Just goes back to all the CC discussions:
If Ward and Staal have great seasons and are franchise players
If the injured players from last year stay healthy
If Jussi keeps producing
If the young kids are ready to shine(at least enough of them)
If the coaches keep the team believing
If they get off to a good start
If all these fall in line, great year. Each one not fulfilled knocks the team that much further down the ladder.
EMAIL TO PUCK DADDY (Greg Wyshynski)
Greg,
You are far too talented a writer and knowledgeable about hockey to publish the article on the Hurricanes that you
published on Puck Daddy. Nobody can see into the future, so any prediction concerning how any NHL team will
perform is as likely to be correct as incorrect. It is clear you haven’t seen many Hurricanes games and certainly have
not followed the Hurricanes in depth.
Cole fractured his leg on the second game of the season. When he finally returned, he had a reoccurrence of
sequelae from the Orpik cheap shot that fractured his neck. In short, Cole’s season was significantly shortened by
injury.
Staal was injured throughout the entire year – first with groin injuries sustained during the Canadian camp and later
with upper body injuries to the ribs and chest.
Pitkanen injured his knee prior to camp while working out and missed training camp and the start of the season.
Jokinen hurt his hand working out and went into the season still injured.
Cam Ward hurt his back during the Canadian Camp, then had his leg slashed by Rick Nash, and then hurt his back.
Chad LaRose had MCL issues that should have had him get surgery. He finally got healthy in the last 10 to 15
games or so.
Gleason broke his foot and missed the end of the season.
Ruutu was suspended for the hit on Darcy Tucker and then hurt his shoulder in the subsequent fight with Darcy
Tucker. This injury required shoulder surgery.
Aaron Ward was atrocious; and he now says he had a knee injury which should have had surgery.
Yelle was atrocious.
Alberts was a great hitter, but was a turnover machine in his own end – and couldn’t figure out not to pass the puck
to the middle of the ice.
Brind’Amour was one of the worst players in the NHL again last season and his plus minus minus 29 barely touched
the surface of how poorly he was playing.
Corvo had his Achilles tendon slashed.
Whitney at the end of the season had one of the worst slumps of his career – and one could fairly speculate that he
was aware he was leaving the Hurricanes.
Despite this tale of misery and woe, the Hurricanes from January 21st to the end of the season, the Hurricanes went
21-13-3. As you should have been aware, and I would be surprised if you had not
done at least that minimal amount of research, that That record gave Carolina a 1.216 point/game pace. Over an
entire season that would yield 99 points. Last season 99 points would have placed the
Hurricanes fourth in the Eastern Conference.
That success occurred despite the long list of injuries. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the Hurricanes
have a young team; but to write off Jokinen’s thirty goals as if they didn’t exist is
very unprofessional. Surely that article is not the best you can do in terms of studying the talent on a team. It is
disingenuous to write about players who have missed significant time due to injury as if their yearly statistics were
reflective of playing 82 games. It is also far less than acceptable to fail to mention how well the Hurricanes played
once that jettisoned the tired, complacent and under-
performing veterans and gave their young players an opportunity to perform. I respectfully suggest you withdraw that
article and spend some more detailed time studying the Hurricanes. Your fans deserve your best work; and that
article was not worthy of your ability and knowledge.
I like Greg and think he often has interesting insights into the NHL. On the other hand, he is totally hostile to the NHL in any dispute with the NHLPA, so everything he writes on that subject is completely biased. He also has a tendency to short cut on homework, so if he is talking about a team he really does not follow, his comments are more entertainment factor than substance. The review of the Hurricanes was some of the worst work I’ve seen from him. In general, he has a much higher standard; and if that article were the best he has to offer, he really would not have much to offer.
+1.216
Well said….I do think the 1.216 points per game is a little inflated by the fact that other teams were playing their back-up goalies against the ’Canes late in the year. However it was a good run none the less and we are all hoping for more of the same from our ’Canes from the outset of the season…..Nice Work
Thanks. It is really not to much to expect of Greg Wyshynski that he be aware that the same Hurricanes team, other than Whitney, was the second best team in the Eastern Conference from December 26, 2009, through the end of the season; and that from from January 21, 2010, the Hurricanes were on page for 99 points. Greg Wyshynski was unaware of a number of the injuries the Hurricanes had to endure and that their success occurred when key players were out of the line up or in the case of Corvo, were traded.
The conclusion that “as currently constructed they will not [make the playoffs]” flies in the face of the success the Hurricanes had after jettisoning under-performing veterans (A.Ward, Wallin, Alberts, Yelle, Walker) and substantially reducing Brind’Amour’s time on ice. It also vastly understates the huge number of injuries the Hurricanes endured and the fact that the walking wounded from 2009-2010 should be returning in good health in 2010-2011. Greg did not argue that other teams such as New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Washington, etc. lost to the Hurricanes because they really didn’t put out their best teams against the Hurricanes, despite the fact they were in the midst of trying to position themselves for the playoffs. In short, although Greg dismisses the Hurricanes based on his assertion that the Hurricanes “lack pop” – whatever that means, he chose not to explain why the Hurricanes of 2010-2011 would not play as well this coming season as they played at from December 26, 2009, forward.
I am not at all surprised to see various uninformed pundits make statements about the Hurricanes that are as informative as reading the back of hockey cards; but Greg is one of the really talented and informed hockey writers. He usually backs up his statements with thoughtful analysis. I thought he over-looked some essential points in his report on the Hurricanes.
Wow!
I’m not sure what you saw in his blog entry to set you off…but clearly something did.
Was it this?
The Hurricanes have been mentioned as a darkhorse in the East, but what team in the East doesn’t have at least a glimmer of a chance at making the postseason cut? The real question is whether they will or will not make the playoffs; and the answer is that, as currently constructed, they will not. Too young, not enough pop and if Ward doesn’t carry them, they don’t get near the playoff bubble.
Because otherwise he clearly acknowledges all the injuries and bad luck that befell the team last season.
Honestly, his only sin seems to be that he’s just not making the leap of faith that you want him to make about this season’s outcome.
And, hate to tell you, but he’s not going to be alone in holding this opinion.
Here we are now...entertain us.
I think if your goal is to convince him to never look at anything you write, then posting a bunch of twitter messages and a huge email is a good way to do it. :)
If not, well, good luck with that… <grin>
by Raccoon Fink on Sep 8, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Greg is a very nice guy and is knowledgeable. He has his moments where I think he gets off-track. I’m not at all concerned about the commentators who post gibberish about the Canes – whether they like the Canes, are indifferent to the Canes, or are hostile to the Canes. I have zero patience for that kind of hack journalism that makes no pretense of understanding the teams about which they write; and where it is obvious to me they have spent about zero time watching the Hurricanes or the prospects about whom they are writing. A classic example is where the commentators cite the loss of Brind’Amour as a huge factor for the Canes team. Brind’Amour’s play on the ice was a detriment for over two years and that was clear from watching just a few games.
I also don’t worry one way or the other if an informed commentator concludes the Hurricanes will miss the playoffs. Nobody knows and it’s all best guesses in predicting these results. As long as the basis for the conclusion is stated, is well-informed, and doesn’t have logic that contradicts itself, I have zero problem with those commentators. If the Hurricanes play from December 26, 2009, is not relevant to assessing the team’s chances to make the playoffs, then no team’s play from December 26, 2009, is relevant. I think how a team played in 2009-2010 is worthy of note; and particularly if the team is in large part returning.
Greg, however, does know the nuances of hockey and has great insights for the most part. He also is an adult in the way he handles people who disagree with his perspective on various points. I’ve appreciated the emails he’s sent to me; and I don’t think he is sulker who expects everybody to worship at his skates.
then no team’s play from December 26, 2009, is relevant.
That’s a true statement, it’s a clean slate. No one carries over momentum, everyone has to find that chemistry all over again, everyone is in the same boat. All we really have is what’s on paper. If you think what how a team played last season matters then we wouldn’t the parity that we currently have in the NHL.
I could ask what the injuries last year have to do with this year. I won’t. I see you’re trying to say that the Cane succeeded in spite of that (One should ask, don’t all teams? What’s so different about the Canes. All teams players suffer through injuries, hockey is a grueling game).
No, what I want to ask is: How do you make this conclusion?
to write off Jokinen’s thirty goals as if they didn’t exist is very unprofessional.
The only mention of Jussi in the article is:
Jussi Jokinen, who also saw time with Staal, broke out last season to the tune of 30 goals.
That’s the only mention, and it’s a positive.
Perhaps you should withdraw your e-mail and spend some more detailed time studying that article.
Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.
Quote from Inside Hockey
“From January 21st to the end of the season, the Hurricanes went 21-13-3. That record gave Carolina a 1.216 point/game pace, which amounts to 99 points over the course of a full season. That rate would have been good enough for fourth place in the Eastern conference.
While there are many factors that control the outcome of a hockey game, the statistics point to the change in captaincy as the key for Carolina."
From Inside Hockey:
http://insidehockey.com/?p=7943
Another quote from Inside Hockey:
“In the end, uncertainty is what makes sports so exciting. Can the Hurricanes keep up their late season pace? Will they fall flat on their faces? Only time will tell, but if Carolina can continue to play the way they did towards the end of last year, they will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Inside Hockey’s analysis is a much more cogent and articulate assessment of the Hurricanes. If the Hurricanes end up in 2010-2011 with 99 points, they will be in the playoffs. If they “fall on their faces,” it will be another season without playoffs. A fair appraisal of the Hurricanes has to take into account the success the Hurricanes team had from December 26, 2009, forward; and at least acknowledge an unassailable truth. If the Hurricanes play the entire season the way they played from December 26, 2009, until the end of the season, they will be a top tier NHL team.
He basically doesn’t make a prediction and states the obvious and kept it safe. I think you like it better because it’s more complimentary. TSN’s prediction should come out soon and THN has us at 9 in the East. I keep hearing a number of people talk about how great they played from January through the end of the year, which is true they played great and had a lot of momentum to finish the season, but that momentum is gone it’s a new season and what happened last no longer matters. I’m somewhat optimistic but if they fall flat it wouldn’t surprise me.
Thanks Bob & heck
even a couple of the cheeseheads at THN all but said the same things…so and I’m NOT taking sides with AD when it comes to GW …but i will say this…IF the canes do come out like the Spartans did at Thermopoly..I pitty the other teams..i really will…as i personally feel that is what the Canes will have to do vet or new kid on the block…if they ALL don’t come out like a bunch of crazed, goal thirsty shooting and stealing team( as compared to blood thristy take no prisoners) we, fans and the front office will be very pleased with or without a partner for Mr.K…but i’m a fan…what would i know ??? gee can you feel it yet ??
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
that should have read
If they ALL do come out…and not don’t…sorry I’m just so excited as even my Spokane Chief were 1-1 in preseaon over the week end…they too kicked some but took a few names and made their new coach proud…
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
gonna be GOOD
my gut feeling is that we are going to be very good. like come out like the soldiers out of the trojan horse. we will have tough games but definitely be in the fight and rack up a great record. just my gut feeling. i still miss cully. weep weep.
Playoff bound
No question, this is a team that’s “rebuilding”. Actually, what it’s really doing is “transitioning” from the Cup team to the version that next chases the Cup, with only Staal and Ward making the cut as keepers.
Clearly we’re missing pieces, and probably always will be missing some critical piece or another. But, that’s why you ideally have some extra picks and prospects lying around that won’t kill you to lose if you sense you’ve got a team that could go all the way.
But, as the season begins, the core of the team remembers well how a poor start condemned them right out of the gate last season, so at least they’ll be focused. 1.1 points per game gets us into that 8th spot, so that’s the pace to meet or exceed.
Plus, realistically, it’s all about winning the dogfight among the also-rans once you clear the elite teams that are certainly going to the dance. With two of those teams we’re fighting right in our division, we should have no problem making sure we’re ahead of them, if nothing else. Second in the Southeast should be good for a slot somewhere.
I say we do get there this season, mostly because we have so many spare tires that can be thrown at injuries this season that weren’t roadworthy last season. Losing Staal or Ward is about the worst that could happen. Almost any other moving part is replaceable…well, maybe not Joni, but we’d better start figuring out how to get along without him, just in case his days are numbered with us, anyway.
The defense (and by this, I mean both defensemen and forwards) has to tighten up from last season’s performance, because the offense may be doing all it can to meet or exceed last season’s pace.
Only real change from Spring to Fall is Whitney and Brind’Amour gone, and Babchuk and possibly a new third line center taking their place. Maybe some faces change on the fourth line as tweaks are made, but that’s about it.
Theoretically, that amount of offense lost is replaceable in the points department. And, I believe they will be replaced via individual player development, as the prospects and even mid-career players continue to mature, and the team’s current emphasis on offensive d-men.
Again, we have to tighten up on the defense, but that comes from the system moreso than individual talent…hopefully, that is. To me, that’s the big question mark.
If your team can score 3 goals and hold the other team to no more than 2 goals…you’ll win a lot of games.
You can write that down. :-D
Here we are now...entertain us.
An Example of a Concise and Balanced Report/Prediction for the Hurricanes in 2010-2011
This assessment of the Hurricanes by Kings of Leonis is the type of commentary that presents information in an informative and balanced fashion. Clearly the Hurricanes are not Washington or Pitttsburgh where the NHL would be astonished if they didn’t make the playoffs. Neither are the Hurricanes likely to replicate the massive failure of the first 20 games or so in 2009-2010.
Puck Prospectus; Well Balanced and Informative
I just bought the digital version of Puck Prospectus. I am still reading the book; but the report on the Hurricanes was also well-balanced and informative.
http://www.puckprospectus.com/
Here’s an interesting quote; and there is much more detail in the book.
“With players like Brandon Sutter, Drayson
Bowman, Zach Boychuk and Jamie McBain, Rutherford
is already well on his way to completing a rebuilding
process. Combine that with the retirement
of Rod Brind’Amour, the dealing of veterans near the
end of last season and the youthful trio of Eric Staal,
Tim Gleason and Cam Ward, and there is room for
optimism in North Carolina.”
Adam Proteau of THN predicts Canes as #8 in Eastern Conference
THN columnist Adam Proteau (twitter @proteautype ) has the Canes in the playoffs as #8 in the Eastern Conference.
“The Canes are another team I think has the wherewithal and top-end offensive talent to carry them to a playoff berth – and the second half of last season proved it.”
I agree with that assessment; and the fact that the Hurricanes played so well in the second half of the season is proof they have the ability to play as an upper tier team. Whether they meet their potential remains to be seen; but the ability is there and the desire is there.
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