Carolina Ugly: Stars 5, Hurricanes 2
by Bob Wage on Nov 6, 2011 5:25 PM EST
in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps
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PrintFor the second home game in a row, the Carolina Hurricanes did not come out with enough fire and ended up being dominated at the RBC, this time at the hands of the Dallas Stars by a score of 5-2. The team fell behind 3-1 in the opening period, with one of the goals coming with just 28 seconds left.
Three minutes and change into the second period, the Stars made it 4-1, and coach Paul Maurice had seen enough. He took out goalie Cam Ward and replaced him with backup Brian Boucher.
The goalie change was not enough to spark the team though as the Stars would score yet again later in the period, this time on a shorthanded odd man rush, making it 5-1 and literally ending the game a full period early.
Carolina's two goals were both scored while on the man advantage. Chad LaRose scored the first on a nifty putback of a rebound in the first period and Tuomo Ruutu would score Carolina's second goal with a wrister from the slot area in the third.
The team's coach had criticism for his players again after this contest, admitting that they got beat to every puck and lost every battle. But he said he had no answers for it.
Bryan Allen said that "they outworked us". Brian Boucher said much of the same. Tim Gleason said the team did not "stick to the system."
The Hurricanes will try to get back to the basics when they go on the road next week with games at New Jersey and New York.
Game Notes:
- The stat sheet is pretty much meaningless as this game was over when it was 4-1 early in the second. The Canes mounted no furious comeback attempt and still lacked any fire or emotion after starting to get embarrassed at that point.
- The team finished 2-9 on the powerplay.
- Ward allowed four goals on 14 shots. Three of the four came from open shooters and the other was from Robidas while at the point of a powerplay.
- The team was 49% in the faceoff circle. (Staal 59%, Sutter 40%, Ruutu 67%, Brent 38%)
- This was another bad game for Eric Staal, at least concerning his plus/minus, as he added to his league worst (-14) with another (-2), now giving him (-16) in just 14 games. He did lead the team with six shots on goal. After the game Maurice was asked if Staal was hurt to which the answer was, "No one is injured."
- The Canes have now allowed a total of 47 goals, second most in the East. They have a -12 differential between their goals for, (35), versus goals against, (47), which is the worst differential in the East.
- Jiri Tlusty had a game high seven hits.
- Jay Harrison had a team high three blocked shots.
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my grandson
asked me why Staal was still Captain and I reminded him that our last captain also had hit a rough patch as well….my grandson wasn’t too impressed with my anser..
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
BTW, instead of sarcasm
The team’s coach had criticism for his players again after this contest, admitting that they got beat to every puck and lost every battle. But he said he had no answers for it.
Pretty much indentifies one of the problems. The coach is impotent and clueless.
the last 2 pressers have been water shed and not Mo like at all. Openly crapping on the team and admitting he’s clueless.
I’m looking for a coaching change and I would think sooner would be better than later…though wouldn’t be the first season they pissed away kicking a dead horse.
A
Getting old sucks!
by Paladin6 on Nov 6, 2011 5:45 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This just in...
Dallas is a much, much better hockey team than us. Had Ward been better, had Staal been better, had Kaberle been better, had Bowan and Boychuk gotten more than 6 minutes of ice time the only difference would have been the outcome would have taken a bit longer to become evident.
It’s not the loss that stings so much. There will be games when a team is just better, but it’s the lack of effort (capitals game) and complete dysfunction (Philly game and this game) that make me just mad. It’s one thing to lose but please play a good game in the process. Those losses we can swallow. And every once in a while, one of these horrible losses will occur, but three times in a week? Sitting in that arena, I feel like I’ve been robbed. Every fan there should feel the same way.
Great opportunity lost today. There were hundreds of young kids at the game, and the Canes lost the chance to initiate those young fans into Caniac nation and build a future fan base.
It’s a marathon and not a sprint. Unfortunately the Canes are wearing flip-flops and not running shoes. There is a mismatch between the owner’s plan for this team and the talent on the ice. Chad LaRose — whom we all love to death — is not a first line winger and the team’s insistence on playing him with Staal is perfectly indicative of that misfunction. If Danica Patrick drove Jimmy Johnson’s car she’d still finish 15th.
The defense will be very strong in 2013-2014. I only hope the ticket base will remain.
Don't blame LaRose either....
He actually fought in front of the net and positioned himself through good d to score tonite. And I don’t like you disparaging Danica either.
What ELSE need to happen to fire MO?
All above is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Andy_S
Maurice and the players can say that they were outplayed as much after every game, but it won’t mean anything until they do something about it.
All that this game showed is that Maurice is genuinely clueless. Listening to his post-game interview is pretty telling. He has no idea what to do, the players have no idea what to do, JR probably has no idea what to do, no one has any idea what to do.
by hurricane9 on Nov 6, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Idea what to do
Bring up about half the Checkers? No, we can only have 23…
The game was not as close as the score
Why oh why have we taken Skinner and put him on a line with Staal? They have no chemistry and its slowing down our main scoring threat, please Mo, please, stop limiting Skinner. Someone has to score and at this point, he’s our best chance.
The boo birds were out at the RBC and deservedly so. If there is a plan on the PP or 5 on 5 for the offense its not apparent from the stands. The last two games have shown just how far the Canes have to go to be one of the best in the league in all areas of the game. The Captain was awful once more, his play lacks urgency and he’s taking senseless penalties. This is not fun to watch.
I’ve said it before but I really don’t mind losing if it looks like we left it all on the ice. Once again, that wasn’t the case.
Also, at what point does this organization realize it isn’t on the brink of making another deep playoff run. Can we please blow this thing up and actually rebuild. Let the youngsters play – Boychuk and Bowman’s ELC is up at the end of the year and we still have no clue of what kind of players they can be in the NHL. If they aren’t NHLers, then great, but at least we’d have given them a shot and knew what we had.
I’d handle losing if it were a situation like Edmonton where they stunk but had a lot young talent learning how to play in the league. Instead, we’re stuck year in and year out with a team that we hope somehow sneaks into the 7th or 8th spot and gets hot in the playoffs.
"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward
Bright Spots
Boucher played half descent. And in the first, Skinner made some sick stick-to-skate puck moves behind the Star’s net. That’s all I’ve got.
But I'm a Troll
Yeah I know. Whatever. Time for Mo to go.
Oh sorry PK. I know. Best coaching staff in the league.
“Outworked us”. HA. Didn’t take much effort for Dallas.
This is a bit over the top, but.....
“Boo! Boo! So bow to the Queen of Rubbish, the Queen of Putrescence, The Queen of Garbage, for that’s what she is! Boo! Boo! Boo!”
(now name that movie). And maybe we’re just as Miracle Max diagnosed, only mostly dead.
Harrumph
All the goals Cam gave up were soft…Mo should have known he was going to play like shit
If they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it
by Killswitch on Nov 6, 2011 7:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
and here
during the pre-game show they were talking how poorly thedallas goalie wouldbe based on his past stats..hmmmm guess again..
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
All the goals Cam gave up were soft…Mo should have known he was going to play like shit
If they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it
by Killswitch on Nov 6, 2011 7:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Comparing Structure and Intensity of Canes vs. Checkers
I was at the RBC today and also recorded the game on the DVR. While working out I had the Canes game running on one tv while watching the Checkers v. Ice Hogs game on AHLLive. The main thing I noticed was how much better the positioning was with the Checkers as contrasted with the Hurricanes game I just had seen and was watching again.
The talent of the NHL obviously is higher than the AHL talent overall; but that didn’t explain why the Checkers were a cohesive unit whereas the Hurricanes today and on Friday were disjointed. I don’t think any one person gets the credit for the Checkers, who happened to win 4 to 2, or the blame for another sagging effort by the Hurricanes. I was not surprised the Hurricanes lost. I was not even surprised the Stars ran the Hurricanes out of the RBC with another embarrassing loss. I was only surprised that Cam Ward played as average as he did.
I don’t imagine Friday’s game and today’s game will be used as promotional material for the Hurricanes organizational effort to increase season ticket sales. I do think the lack of fire by the Hurricanes is a huge issue. Skinner and Ruutu are now having to carry the team. Staal is a non-factor; and even more so when I watched again on video.
Based on what I see now the Hurricanes look to be a #9 to #15 team. I don’t see the least bit of recognition by Maurice that he needs to revamp things. The fact that LaRose spent every shift on the first line was telling. LaRose was not the driving force for the loss by any means; but nothing about his game suggests he is a viable first line wing. Kaberle was worse on video than I had thought when watching live. Harrison and LaRose each were beaten in puck battles that wound up in goals. Joslin made a very poor decision on one goal. All in all, it was quite a forgettable game.
Um Doug
Based on the team effort, and moreso the whole not sticking to the game plan, not coming out on fire, not coming with intensity, does it remind you at all to the way the team looked in 08-09 at this same juncture??
It reminds me of 2008-2009, but even more it reminds me of 2006-2007 in some ways. Skinner, of course, never stops battling. It’s important not to overreact and not let the highs get too high or the lows too low. I really liked Ponikarovsky/Ruutu/Boychuk. Staal is in some kind of terrible funk to be certain; but who knows, maybe the Canes can pull themselves out of this bad streak. Things may settle down when Jokinen returns.
I was with you up to your last sentence. You just gave Mo another excuse. Now its Jokinen’s return that we should look forward to as the answer. The answer is a new coach from outside the family (not Daniels) who can objectively reappraise our talent, determine what we have to do to get better, and at the same time instill some pride and desire back into the team.
By the way, I watched Staal today and he played pretty well. He dug the puck out and centered it in front of the goal several times and either there was no one there or LaRose misfired on the setup. It appeared to me Staal was making a point that we all have been making. He can’t do it alone on the first line playing against the other team’s best players and he is fed up with the failure to replace the loss of Cole. I think he understands better than management and the coaches how much a player like Cole opened up the ice for him. I’m not rueing the loss of Cole here. My point is we are playing a first line which has only one bonafide first line player on it. We are thirteen games in and now our solution to this problem by the coaches is to jam in this player and that player for a game or a shift or two and if the performance does not improve, recycle this procedure. By doing this the only thing we have insured was that none of the lines gets any continuity and we struggle both offensively and defensively and the players play as if they don’t have a prayer of knowing what the game plan is. The players now appear to have lost confidence in the coaches. Why wouldn’t they. They are human just like us fans and probably react in much the same manner as we the fans have. Some react with loyalty to the coach (as do some of the fans) and some players probably share the negative point of view the fans have of Mo.
Last point. Why are we playing one man into the defensive zone (generally standing in the center of the ice 15-20 feet out from the opposing goalie) and four men strung out in the neutral zone? This is allowing the opponents to get a free out over the defensive blue line and speed through the neutral zone. We play our best hockey when we have used an aggressive forecheck and not laid back letting the other team get speed up the ice. I raise this question to illustrate the fact that in trying to solve problems Mo is abandoning things that work and just make things worse.
Abramsdoug, I like to read your posts because you appear to try to be objective either positively or negatively. So if I’m way off base, tell me so. I’m willing to be patient. I can stand losses as long as the team makes the effort. If this occurs then we all will know what the problem is. Lack of enough talented players.
by FoxtrotSierra on Nov 6, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Staal and Some Random Thoughts
My view is that Staal is being overwhelmed by defenses that drop a defenseman to add at least two players covering him at any time. In fact there is a triangle that follows Staal from place to place. Once LaRose touches the puck, the defender jumps out at him and LaRose either throws the puck around the boards or gets tied up. LaRose has not connected with Staal on an assist at even strength. Staal is invisible because when he does make nice centering passes the passes are not converted by LaRose who seems to be the forward crashing the net when Staal has the puck in the corners or behind the net. Skinner helps the situation in terms of being there to grab pucks, but then he and Staal have to contend with being unable to get space. Staal doesn’t have Skinner’s will power to attack the net time after time; and Staal is more of a prima donna. His reaction to failure is to slash somebody or pout. Skinner’s reaction, on the other hand, is to fight back even harder.
This game looked much, much worse than it was. We are used to Ward being an excellent goalie. Tonight Ward was weak and let in goals he normally would stop with ease. Joslin made a very poor decision and left the forward with the puck; but the shot was not a laser and on a normal Cam Ward outing would have been no problem. Harrison was outworked for one goal. The goal from the shot at the point was not one that usually results in a score. The short-handed goal was the result of LaRose losing a puck battle and then being on the wrong side of the puck.
The problem comes down to playing some players above their skill level, such as LaRose; and then playing players like Kaberle based on their contract rather than their ability. If Cam Ward has an off night, the Canes will lose and probably will lose badly. The problems include the fact that the Canes don’t have a first line right wing; or at least one that Maurice and his coaching staff will play. The coaches also are not grooming any of the young prospects to be that first line right wing.
The good news is that once Maurice gets desperate and plays either Boychuk or Stewart in the top six, they have both done quite well. Skinner and Ruutu can play with about any forward other than LaRose and do fine. Until Staal gets some high end talent scoring talent on his line, it will continue to be ugly. Maybe it’s time to put Skinner/Staal/Boychuk on a line and maybe put Skinner at center, Staal at right wing and Boychuk on left wing. Dalpe looked healthy tonight, although he clearly was working on his timing, in the Checkers game. Once Dalpe is well, he needs to go into the top six. I’d say the lack of a first line right wing is very much compounded by the recalcitrance of Maurice and the coaches in playing skilled scorers on Staal’s line. LaRose is not that guy and it’s obvious that other teams are happy to see LaRose on the first line.
I like Daniels as a coach; but I think it is time to look to somebody who hasn’t already formed opinions of the players if a new coach is hired. I’m still advocating waiting until the season is over and take stock. I’m all for keeping Maurice if the Hurricanes make the playoffs. I’m equally all for trying someone else if the Hurricanes don’t make the playoffs, even if the Hurricanes are in the hunt until the last game of the season.
I think coach Daniels has done an absolutely tremendous job with the AHL team, but wonder if his true value to the club is really working with the prospects in Charlotte and not the NHL players in Raleigh. I thought most teams played the same system on the AHL club as they do with the NHL club, for obvious reasons. It would appear that is not the case here, or if it is Coach D gets it to work and Mo doesn’t.
I heard it is mostly similar in terms of defense but as I understand it, Daniels uses a single forechecker (if I am remembering the interview correctly). Daniels is excellent and is truly a people person. He has as good a feel for the game as I’ve seen. He has excellent timing in terms of when to change up lines, and who to put on the lines, such as for power plays. He also has a way of making players want to run through walls of glass for him, and not out of fear. He has the ability, it seems, to have them put aside the fear of failure and instead they seem to believe in their own abilities. It isn’t Camelot; but he’s a very, very effective coach. He will be a great NHL coach one day, I think. I hope it is with the Hurricanes; but given the fact the Hurricanes have only had two coaches, I am inclined to think the better approach if a coaching change is made is to go outside the familiar circle. On the other hand, personally I’d be thrilled if Daniels were named head coach for the Hurricanes at any point.
He also has a way of making players want to run through walls of glass for him, and not out of fear.
I like this analogy. I once had a USMC Sgt tell me “If you show your people you’ll take a bullet for them, they will jump on grenades for you”. Now that’s a bit radical for a hockey discussion, I know. But this is where I think Mo has lost the team. They aren’t motivated for whatever reason. If they were, they’d leave it on the ice every night. I can’t help but think it goes back to coaching. I’m just completely baffled that they can’t, or won’t, come out each and every game on a mission. If Daniels can get that mentality out of his players in Charlotte, why not give him the chance in Raleigh? I believe, if nothing else, Daniels would allow the young guns to fire away. At least it could be fun to watch.
The only easy day was yesterday.
Trying to wait until the 20th game and ignore the last 3 years...
The 20th game is the arbitrary point at which I would hope the Canes will decide whether the team is going to be competitive this season if they stay the course with Mo. The Canes have played well a few times this season against good teams. But it’s getting harder and harder to focus on those few games.
I am mystified by the embarrassing collapses at home. The first such collapse was opening night. We’ve now seen the same spectacle at home three times in 7 home games and the Canes have allowed 5 goals (as noted by other posters) 5 times this season in 14 games. More ominously, the Canes have allowed 5 goals in 3 of their last 4 games.
Seen This Act Before?
Just when they should be hitting their stride, the Canes are looking a lot like the veteran team that collapsed in early season 2009-2010. Starting on October 28 that season, the Canes allowed 5 to St. Louis, 6 to the Flyers, 5 to the Sharks, then they had some closer losses before losing (not in consecutive games) to the Kings 5-2, Atlanta 6-4 and Buffalo 5-1. That’s the season that ended with the Canes having 80 points in 82 games. The Canes currently have 13 points in 14 games and have a .464 point percentage, which is good for 22nd in the league. In the 2009-2010 season that is universally acknowledged as disastrous, the Canes finished with a .488 point percentage, which was good for 24th in the league. The Canes also had a 0.88 ratio of 5 on 5 GF/GA in that disastrous season. This season, the ratio is 0.82. Another thing that’s the same from then to now is the head coach. There’s a reason many fans are frustrated.
Last Chance
Mo needs to turn the Canes around now and get them to compete hard for 3 periods most nights or the Canes owe it to fans to make a coaching change. We’ve seen this act for most of the last 178 games now. We’ve seen losing streaks. We’ve seen scoring droughts. We’ve seen routs. We’ve seen routine collapses on home ice when the team should have every reason to give its all. We’ve seen a lousy power play. We’ve seen steady inferiority 5 on 5. If the situation doesn’t get better immediately, there’s no reason to think sacrificing another 60 games this year is going to be worthwhile. The Canes are going to have to choose between a coach who is making no progress and fans who are fed up. If another coach fails, fine, tear up the roster. But first, let a different coach try to get better results with the current roster and advanced prospects. If that fails, tank and draft high in a great draft year – and give fans a reason to come back to RBC for 2012-2013.
Mo has lost this team. He has admitted that by saying he doesn’t know what to do. It has come to the point where he has chosen to publicly lay the blame at the players’ feet. His constant line shuffling, mishandling of young players, and everything else we want to pick apart are easily seen by the fans. If I can see it, having been on ice skates maybe twice in my life, then I know the players see it.
I’m not on the Mo Must Go bandwagon, but it’s time to make a change. It is extremely disheartening to watch a team come out with little to no effort, after they completely owned every inch of the ice against Chicago. If the players don’t put forth the effort, well that is on them. I don’t know what practice is like. I don’t know the locker room is like. All I know is what I see on the ice from one game to the next. The inconsistency is not being addressed as it should. As I said before, he has lost this team. It’s time to make the change and bring in someone who can reign them in. The message needs to be sent, and soon.
The only easy day was yesterday.
I'm with you here, man
Couple of blog posts back PP17 posted the Statistics, Mo isn’t doing as well as Lavi when he was fired. Like you, I don’t see, and have I never seen, Mo have any offensive coaching skills, nor a very good grasp of managing players and their individual skills.
And it seems the players are getting frustrated by the system, and are therefore starting to look like they did under Lavi when he was fired….
I didn’t see this game, so I have no comment on this one. But all the comments seem to be pretty consistent with what most of us feel is the first issue: Coaching. But yes, a second issue is not top third NHL talent as a team. But we’re not bottom third talent either imho.
Yes but for whatever reason, Lavi and JR never got along. There were some bitter comments made by JR about Lavi a few years after we won the cup, and it just seemed odd that you would treat the guy that brought your franchise their first ever stanley cup so poorly. I can’t find any exact quotes, but I know there was some weird relationship between the two.
As for how the team was doing prior to Lavi being fired:
“The Hurricanes entered Wednesday 12-11-2 and trailing Southeast Division-leading Washington by three points. They lost nine of 16 games in November, including a dismal mid-month stretch in which they were outscored by a combined 10-3 in consecutive home games against division opponents Atlanta and Washington.”
Sound familiar anybody?
I know, Lavi had too strong a personality for JR, and Lavi wanted things has way or the highway. Not a great attitude towards your boss. But when JR wanted exit intereviews, Lavi was still personnally steeming about the end of the season and didn’t want the do them. Jr wanted them, and there was considerable friction there as well.
One coach gone - in St Louis
The St Louis Blues have fired their coach (Davis Payne) and hired Ken Hitchcock. This is not the firing that was expected – the Blue Jackets were expected to fire their coach (Arniel) and return to Hitchcock.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2011 8:57 PM EST reply actions
I am glad Hitchcock was hired by somebody other than the Hurricanes. He is exactly what the Hurricanes don’t need. I too am surprised Arniel was not fired.
So at least one organization in the NHL feels the time to right the ship at this stage of the season is now……..
A
Getting old sucks!
from twitter: Davis Payne coached only 137 games for #Blues before being fired. His record was 67-55-15.
Everyone I’m reading is baffled – didn’t see this coming – especially local media. There’s something here that’s not about his W/L record.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2011 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
On the season, Blues were 6-7-0 with only 4 home games so far (9 on the road). 5-5 in last 10. 3-1 at home.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
I think they thought they were going to come out of the gate strong and didn’t. They knew who they wanted if thing didn’t work out ( Hitchcock has history with their front office going back to Dallas from what I have read). The only problem is that HItch was being looked at as a possible replacement in Columbus. I think they wanted to pry him out of his contract in Columbus before they got itchy and ready to pull the trigger. Truthfully not sure why Columbus let him go, I think they need a change over there in Ohio more than the Blues did.
Has Mr Rutherford made a trip to the locker room yet? Seems like that’s the next step.
Is Brind`Amour in Chicago with his Peewee team? I can’t imagine how pissed off he’d be watching the last 2 games.
I said in August the jury’s out on Maurice. It’s not looking good. I’m not angry about it, but there’s a funk in that room that I just don’t get. I see what LaRose brings and it’s the mental fortitude: never say die – no matter what.
Definitely reminds me of 09-10, but that was bad from the beginning, not 12 games in. Staal was hurt, then Ward in early August. Maybe a bit like 24/7 on HBO last year, watching the Caps during their 8 game losing streak last year.
How do we feel about Boychuk getting moved up and getting decent PP time and Stewart moved back to the 4th line?
The first goal was primarily on Joslin, not that it shouldn’t be expected after sitting for 7 months on the shelf.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2011 9:06 PM EST reply actions
Brind’Amour was here today, don’t remember seeing him Friday night so don’t know about that.
Editing Manager of Canes Country.com
Thanks. He would seem to be the counterpart to Maurice’s seeming inability to fire up the troops. Lewis and Barrasso don’t bring that either. Then again he was Captain in that miserable fall of 09.
( and proofreading my original comment – Ward was out with the cut in Columbus, in early November – not August – of course)
No answers.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 6, 2011 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe a bit like 24/7 on HBO last year, watching the Caps during their 8 game losing streak last year.
That’s a stretch no? The team’s playing exactly like it should; inconsistent and win one lose one – they’ll probably win on tuesday. To beat the better teams in the NHL this team has to play almost flawless, get at least 6 PP’s, and hope the other team has an off night. There’s zero margin of error and this team can’t score 5 on 5, so it’s going to tough to beat a lot teams, especially teams with good penalty kills. Until they can mount some kind of attack 5 on 5 it’s going to be tough to watch.
JR and Mo cant really shoot down kabs cause of how he was brought in.
but as soon as a new coach comes in, all that is off the table.
i think the time is coming. will be intersting to see what a new coach brings.
is dave lewis here to get a long look at what hed do with the team so he can take over when mo goes??
"a bit of love"
Not sure if Dave Lewis is what we need as a head coach. He’s a fantastic defensive coach, but I don’t think his skills would necessarily translate to being a great head coach. I’d much prefer to see Daniels brought in. As Doug said, the positioning and flow in the Checker’s games is infinitely better. He has a noticeable system in place.
I don’t understand your statement. You aren’t sure of how someone who has been a winning NHL head coach would translate his skill into being a great NHL head coach…..Instead you want a guy who has never coached as a Head Coach in the NHL to take the job?
Have any of the 9 new investors
asked Karmanos for their money back yet?
Seriously, if this team is going to stay above water (and draw more fans), something has to change. PK and JR, you need to make a bold move to change this team. The only players who have consistently shown up this year are Bryan Allan, Cam Ward (although not today), Jeff Skinner, and Jay Harrison. The coach basically said today "we can’t motivate them). I don’t know when the Dad’s roadtrip is coming, or a big long road trip, but this team needs something to shake them up. I look to Jim Rutherford to provide that part, and soon. I am also hoping that of the defensemen, it is #51 that is sent packing – not #5. This team is starting to feel like Toronto – if we are going to be Toronto South, then perhaps we can bring in former Whaler GM Brian Burke to get things going.
Pretty crappy game overall. I liked that Boychuk got an opportunity to move up, but agree that it should not have been at the expense of Stewart, who should have never been separated from Skinner and Ruutu. It’s really amazing how much this team seems to need Jussi in the lineup. Felt bad for Joslin. He did cost the team a goal but as Carolyn pointed out he’s been inactive for a long time. I didn’t think he did that poorly under those circumstances. I think the team needs him and his physical play in the lineup. He’ll be up to speed soon if he gets a chance to stay in the lineup. Really is nothing going right with the team right now. We’ll likely see more shake-ups in the lines Tuesday and if that doesn’t get the team going I think bigger changes may be seen soon. I can’t remember where, but I read that something like 40% of the teams home games will be played in November and December. It would seem urgent to right the ship before those 40% are lost to a team and coach with no answers.
In regards to Jussi
It’s not jussi personnally we miss. As others have notice, we’re short of top line talent. Jussi, since he’s been here has shown he has top line talent. But, more importantly, Jussi has shown himself to be a good playmaker while still being able to score.
Outside of Skinner, there’s no other playmaker on the team. Especially with the lack of a seeming offensive scheme or system that generates scoring chances, it takes a good playmake, who sees the ice well, to create any type of chances. Jussi also knows where to go, and where to set up so he can receive passes and put them away (oh, and he can find the net, something we also are lacking with Staal’s slump and no other top line wingers).
So on a team with limited talent, and a less than stellar offensive system, that one skilled player deprives this team of too much in both playmaking and scoring.
That’s on the GM, Owner and coach.
disgusting game...Mo sounds like he wants to be fired
so what is JR waiting on….this experiment has run its course…time to move on before the fanbase does!!!!!! too much to ask for people to keep paying to see this crap just so your buddy can play Coach!
Someone please tell me how a self proclaimed BUDGET team can afford to pay a third pairing defensemen who looks like he has nothing left to give 4 mil per year for 3 years!!!! How much better would the team be if JR had stood pat on D and spent 3 or 4 mil per year on a top Winger????
How much influence Did Mo have on brining in Kab????
Something better Change soon!!!
Since Mo doesn’t know what to do, why not shake things up? This roster is not loaded with talent (thanks JR), so do what you can. Put the best players where their performance says they should play.
1st line – Tlusty/Skinner/Ruutu
Skinner has been the best forward hands down. He seems to have some chemistry with Ruutu, so get them back together. Tlusty has been good this year. His passing is better than I thought, so maybe he can find Skinner is a prime scoring area.
2nd line – Poni/Sutter/LaRose
Sutter’s only 3 goals have come on breakaways, but at least he created his scoring chances. Poni has been solid, so give him the nod. And we all know LaRose shouldn’t be here, but he is one of the few that is actually scoring (2g in 3 games) and Mo has to keep him in the top 6.
3rd line – Boychuk/Staal/Bowman
Demote Staal because his play warrants it, but maybe help him find something that works. Many want to see the kids in the top 6, that isn’t happening for long under Mo, so do the next best thing. See if Boychuk’s creativity helps Staal get on track. See if Bowman can start producing goals with talent around him. If it works, then maybe the coaches have a new binky for Staal. If not, that line will have reduced minutes anyway.
4th line – Stewart/Brent/Dwyer
Tell these boys to go create havoc. Cycle the puck, hit anything that moves, and play responsible. Be the energy 4th line this team needs.
1st Pairing – Allen/Gleason
Leave the only pairing that seems to somewhat working alone.
2nd Pairing – Pitkanen/Harrison
Harrison is not a top 4 defenseman, but Pits aint really playing like one either right now. Harrison is giving his all and that’s more than most of this team.
3rd Pairing – Joslin/McBain
Did either of these guys look good in the past 2 games, no. But their both young and have potential. Limit their time with the 3rd pairing, but tell them to play smart aggressive. Send a message to Kaberle to step up or sit & watch.
1st PP unit – Skinner/Sutter/Ruutu/Pitkanen/Harrison
Work the puck around and shoot when given the opportunity. We are not a puck possession team, so we have to put more shots on goal and stop trying to be so damn cute.
2nd PP unit – Poni/Staal/LaRose/Joslin/McBain
Larose is the only one scoring, so keep him out there. Joslin & McBain; just shoot the puck! Forwards; screen the goalie and crash the net. Just hope a shot goes in off a leg or something, because none of you are really offensive threats right now.
Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."
by PackPride17 on Nov 6, 2011 11:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions
here is my 2 cents
on some line shake ups. I think your lines would provide a shake up. Last night I was thinking about these lines keeping Staal’s slump in mind, and assuming Jussi is not playing.
- Skinner- Ruutu – Stewart ( they played well in their limited TOI)
- Sutter- Boychuk- Bowman ( have played together in the AHL )
- Staal- Tlusty-Poni ( sorry but Staal is just slumping)
- 4 Brent- Dwyer- LaRose ( lots O energy here)
That takes a coach with balls to go with that change of Skinner being first line. But right now, it makes sense. it also makes sense giving what and where we’ve seen the scoring come from.
On the first line, Tlusty could play Jussi’s role until Jussi’s return. like you choices there. Don’t care if Skinner or Ruu plays center. I’m OK with the second line, but would prefer putting Stewart there instead of Rosie. I think that more accurately puts more size up front so we can abttle better.
On the Boychuk, Staal, Bowman line. Has potential. Bowman will shoot the puck. He will get it on net, and he will give Staal a target. The kid wants to score, bad. Staal can bebefit by going to the net to fish rebounds. Rosie, shoots a lot, but often with no one near the net, or he misses the net or send the puck to the wrong side for rebounds so his shots are ineffective if he doesn’t score (hence assist numbers historically). Boychuk may be able to do something with these bigger players on his line. But he also has a quick release wrister whith some accuracy. Give this line 15 minutes a game and see what happens for three games.
Ahhh fantasy coaching…sigh.
Vent
I have to admit that it is nice to have a site like this that allows fans to express opinions, vent frustrations, or to cheer for great team accomplishments. Right now, I am leaning towards the venting side of the utilities of CC. I am past the point of disgust when it comes to the Maurice era v2. I am just ready for it to end. He is a great guy, a players coach, has a great history with the team..okay!!! Time to rebuild the on ice identity of the organ—-eye——zayshun. There….vented.
"Forget about style; worry about results."
Bobby Orr
Lost
There are very few feelings that are worse than just feeling lost. This organization is currently lost; we are not sure what direction to go and we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It's time for change! "If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization." - Mary Douglas
Bench Kaberle for a couple of games.
We have 7 defensemen, I’d like to see Joslin play more.
Bring McBain back and let Kaberle be the healthy scratch for a few games.
Well after a decent nights sleep
Nothing has changed…what has happened has happened…funny thing though…if anyone of us were to do what Mo isn’t where we work..how long would we be able to keep our jobs ? And yes Play Joslin More and sit kabs as even at Joslin’s worst i still have more faith & trust he( Joslin) will give 190% each and every game…and the last few games that we on tv kabs looked winded and so out of shape with a blank look on his face…And the only plus side is the grittiness and push back by Skinner as he is tired of geting pushed around and beat up upon..but what scares me what if he breaks a finger or 2 …or even a hand fighting…it’s bad enough the Juice is out..but imagine how flat the Canes could be…bobble head night or not…
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
@ice_chip in this morning
Jim Rutherford says Canes will look to “strengthen team” in short term. No other details for now but coaching staff shakeup not in works.
Rutherford: “The easiest thing to do when you lose a couple of games as bad as we lost them is to point at the coach or coaches.”
Rutherford said everyone needs to “get back to work” and back to playing style of game that led to quality wins.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 7, 2011 9:05 AM EST reply actions
Just added:
Rutherford did say that if losing continues, “I’ll probably be in a different frame of mind (and) I’ll look at the situation differently.”
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 7, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
The Titanic?
I can understand frustration, but let’s be even keeled about all of this. It sucks, and changes need to be made. That said, this is not a lost cause, either.
no doubt and what the early stats indicate is they don’t have enough fire power. They need another top 6 forward.
so I guess what’s available and what will it cost. It’s rumored a number of teams need dmen and it’s rumored that Turris, R.Bourque, and Penner are available. You also have to wonder how long Columbus will stay together before blowing it up – Huselius would be a nice addition depending on the cost.
Maurice does a lot of line shuffling, its hard to figure out how the team can get any kind continuety game after game, or even within a game.
But all the shuffling involves the top 3 lines. Why not try Stewart in the top 9 for more than half a game?
Why not move Boychuk up to the first line! When Dalphe gets back, why not give him the chance to play on the top line.
What we need is a power guy for staal to get him out of his funk…We need a guy that can plow up the ice on the wing in addition to be a threat to score to take some of the pressure of Staal. I think we have that guy…Puts up the same numbers as cole used too and plays a physical game…
LaRose-Staal-Ruttu
Poni-Skinner-Bowman/Dalpe/Stewart
Dwyer-Sutter-Tlusty (get these guys back together)
Boychuk-Brent-Bowman/Dalpe/Stewart
Where to slot Boychuk (sorry folks but he will never be the answer), Dalpe (still hurting), Stewart is the conundrum. Stewart I think is the best fit on the Skinner line for now with Bowman playing on the 4th line till Dalpe gets back at full strength. Themn maybe swap Dalpe and Stewart unless Stewart is meshing well.
At least try it till Jussi comes back…And do not rush jussi back, do not need a player at half speed…Get him healed up pretty good, he will have a better chance of not hurting himself again…
Ruutu has been tried with Staal before and it doesn’t work that well. Of the players we currently have on the roster, Jussi has the most/best experience playing with Staal and he is currently injured. I still don’t understand why putting those 2 together hasn’t been tried this year, except on the powerplay.
It's time for change! "If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization." - Mary Douglas
Yaaay! Free Queso!
Wait, what? The Canes have to score 5 goals? Oh well.
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