Carolina Rally Falls Short: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2

by Bob Wage on Mar 1, 2012 10:43 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 01: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers knocks Brandon Sutter #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes off the puck during play at the RBC Center on March 1, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers were missing team captain Ryan Callahan and played their backup goalie, but managed to pick up two points against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 3-2 win in front of 14,523 on Thursday night at the RBC.

The first place team in the East used their tight checking system to hold the home team to six shots on goal in the first period and seven in the second as they built a lead and held on in the third for the win.

The Rangers are now 26-0-2 when leading after two periods.

After a scoreless first period, Jeff Skinner got things started for the Canes with a hard slap shot that somehow found it's way through Martin Biron just 58 seconds into the second period. This was a powerplay goal for the home team and Skinner's 17th overall of the season. Eric Staal made a nice pass on the play and extended his scoring streak to 10 straight games.

Staal set a franchise record with the helper, (while in Carolina) for most consecutive games with assists, (nine).

The Rangers would score the next three goals though to take control of the game with two goals in the second and one more early in the third.

Carolina had two powerplay opportunities in the third, including a four minute chance when Jay Harrison was bloodied by a high stick with 5:43 left in the game, but the powerplay was ineffective when the team needed it the most.

Kirk Muller pulled Cam Ward from the net for an extra attacker with about 3:40 to go, but the team still could not solve Biron until Harrison backhanded in a rebound with just 39.7 seconds left.

It was the defenseman's eighth of the season.

Next up will be the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

Game Notes:

The Canes managed 10 shots in the third period but were outshot 25-23. Skinner led the way with five.
The Rangers had 20 blocked shots, but Carolina had 19 of their own. Bryan Allen, Brandon Sutter, and Harrison had three each.
Carolina was outhit 19-16. Drayson Bowman, Dererk Joslin, and Sutter had three each.
Eric Staal looked good again in this game as he created a few chances that did not pan out for him. He also hit the post twice. He led both teams with 24:43 of ice time and won 73% of his faceoffs.
Samson seems to have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff and played a team low 5:43. Boychuk played 15:30 and Bowman 10:14.

Post Game Interviews:

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Comments

Great work by Spacek causing the 2-on-1 and then coasting back. So glad we have him because he’s good in the locker room. Perhaps we should re-sign him for this reason.

by Kahz on Mar 1, 2012 11:04 PM EST reply actions

LOL.

Hi, my name is Michael Procton, and I will mindf*** you with logical yet (often) pessimistic retorts until the cows come home. Good Day.
--by Aisander D on Feb 4, 2012 7:59 PM EST
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

But another view: he was hindered by an errant official who kicked the puck right to the wrong guy……no one could have recovered from that one……coasting or full speed……

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Mar 2, 2012 8:30 AM EST up reply actions

He coasts as soon as McBain hits the ice, then does the “check the player after he scores a goal to make it look like you’re doing something” Aaron Ward routine

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

You were talking about that one play which resulted in a goal………..not what he did the rest of the time, am I mistaken?

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Mar 2, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

And nasty

That’s just wrong @Kahz. Spacek got literally knocked on his butt immediately after the pass. So from that position he had to get up and with zero momentum catch up to the play. Wasn’t going to happen.

by drifterscape on Mar 2, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry, watch the few seconds before the pass is made. Tell me that is not coasting

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

So you were not talking about that play which he passed the puck up the boards and it hit the official who kicked it to the Ranger who then scored the goal. Thought so…………

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Mar 2, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

And McBain played the 2 on 1 terribly. First of, he should have been more physical on Boyle and forced the play much earlier than he did. Boyle even made it easy on McBain by waiting until he was near the goal line to pass. The only option Boyle had was to pass because he was that close, and yet McBain decides to make a pathetic little arch instead of getting down on the ice and letting the pass get right through.

Sorry, but that goal was not Spacek’s fault in my eyes. He had a bad bounce and he came back. He saw Boyle near the goal line and McBain there and he assumed that McBain could handle the pass. That should be a safe assumption, but McBain has no defensive ability, so it was the wrong decision.

I guess it was his fault in that he should have realized McBain should screw the play up. In truth, that is a given.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

“And McBain played the 2 on 1 terribly. First of, he should have been more physical on Boyle and forced the play much earlier than he did. " WTF, since when are you supposed to be physical on a 2-on-1?

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

When you are two inches from the player and you are in position to cover the pass. If McBain had closed the gap, Boyle probably would not have been able to make a pass.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

“Assumed McBain could handle the pass” and thus coasted and made no attempt to stop it.

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

99% of the defensemen in the league would have stopped that pass

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

#3 Def pairing

additionally, McBain compounded by not taking away the pass and committing early to the shooter…they are not always in synch, just my view

by greeenmachine on Mar 2, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

The Rangers are a very disciplined team. They take away your time and space in all zones. It will never be wide open exciting hockey with them but they will find away to grind and wait for opportunities. Once they get a lead they can smother you. This team is built to go deep in the playoffs.

I was very impressed with them. But I was also encouraged by our ability to play with them. The Gaborik goal was an unlucky bounce and Spacek was less than stellar at times. And Joslin made the kind subtle mistake you expect from a D playinf forward. Otherwise this could easily have been a 1-1 playoff style game going into OT.

by sittler27 on Mar 1, 2012 11:09 PM EST reply actions

I agree with your view on the game. I didn’t think the Canes played badly at all. No Canes player played out of character, everyone played as expected. That character has been responsible for some nice wins under Muller. The Rangers are at the top of the NHL. I think if the Canes had a healthy Ruutu, that top line forward JR is promising he’ll try and add, and a healthy Pitkinen, the Canes would have had a very real chance to win the game. Encouraging for the future.

by Hockeydog on Mar 2, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Add Ruutu and Pitkanen to the line-up, move Joslin back to D, and keep McBain and Spacek in the press box and I agree, that game would have been tied going into overtime.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Add in their MVP in Lundqvist and I just don’t see the Canes winning a 7 game series. Not even 1 time out of 100.

by JussiJuice on Mar 3, 2012 11:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

just got home

and seems i missed a game that was a nail bitter…go figure..well 18 games to go…and then we all can suffer through withdrawls..LOL Thanks Bob & Brian

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Mar 1, 2012 11:28 PM EST reply actions

Why the drop in playing time for Samson. It started half way through the Nashville game but I couldn’t really see a problem with his game leading up till then. I find it hard to believe he is not giving max effort in this trial run with the big club. I missed the game so I have no idea how he played tonight. Any ideas?

by Garby919 on Mar 1, 2012 11:32 PM EST reply actions

Career AHLers usually play on the 4th line. I’m surprised it took this long for Samson to wind up there.

by Kahz on Mar 1, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

True enough.

They thought they’d throw him a bone and hope it led to a spark, but he is who we thought he was. A decent scorer with a lot of energy who doesn’t really have the all-around game to be much more than a fourth-liner with an occasional push up to the third.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

Because they want to play an overpaid, untalented 4th liner there instead.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Samson is only 24 and has been a good scorer at the AHL level. He is getting his first real shot. Do I think he is ready for 1st line duty for a whole year, No. But I do think he deserves a fair chance. I really do not understand the lines at all tonight but I guess Muller is trying to find things out. He knows they are not going to make the playoffs though he will not admit it publicly. He must be trying people in different situations, sizing them up for next year or trying to figure out who he wants to part with via a trade this summer.

by Garby919 on Mar 2, 2012 12:12 AM EST reply actions

It's just the way of pro sports.

If you are uniquely talented in a particular area, you can show well in the minors, but if you do not have a complete enough game, your flaws will be exposed in the bigs. Jon Matsumoto has scored 50 points in 57 AHL games this season, and he’s 25, yet he’s already been dumped by one team and only played one NHL game for his new organization. Keith Aucoin put up 74 in 78 in his first pro season at 24, and has other seasons of 85, 96, 99, and 106 (!!!) points to his credit at the AHL level. But he’s never played more than 38 NHL games in a season, with only 84 total since turning pro in 2002. It happens. If these guys were baseball players, they’d be called AAAA guys. In hockey, a player’s statistical scoring peak is about 25 years old (though there are obviously exceptions to this), so if you haven’t started to get significant time by then (and shown some tangible promise in that time), the odds are that NHL executives aren’t going to think much of you, fair or unfair.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

At this point I think you are correct about Muller trying players in different roles. If I was not mistaken Skinner was on the PK last night as well.
Players like Samson and Bowman would be good solid 3rd and 4th liners on contending teams. No reason not to use contenders as measuring sticks for rebuilding purposes. I like them both, but they are honestly not top 6 players.

by Hockeydog on Mar 2, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Kept them without scoring with Ward pulled for 3.5+ minutes? Impressive.

Also nice to see Staal’s good work continuing in the faceoff circle. At 51.6%, he’s on pace to beat his previous career-high (48.0%) by a wide margin. People whine about his work ethic, but this is one area where he’s obviously focused on getting better and made it happen.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:35 AM EST reply actions

Game summary (from live streaming viewpoint, not in-house)

Effort: Canes > Rangers
Talent: Rangers > Canes

Talent trumps effort this game. Just that simple.

"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."

by Capt. Stinky on Mar 2, 2012 5:50 AM EST reply actions

Add luck+talent trumps effort for this game then I would agree….without that bit of luck this might have been a different game……but it is what it is…….

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Mar 2, 2012 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

For years I have laughed at post soccer match comments where the losing team says luck was not on their side. I believe you create your luck. That is very true with a team like the Rangers…. they are lucky around the net because they crash it hard. However to that point have you noticed how many garbage goals the Canes have been getting lately due to the very same thing.
I’m not prone to gushing about players, coaches, etc. I agree with you that we are out talented by the Rangers, particularly on D where they are very solid. But there are good things happening with Canes. I give Muller and his staff a lot of credit. We aren’t going to make the playoffs and there will be some off nights as Muller experiments. Wait until the College and Junior seasons end and they sign some of their prospects…. some will go to Charlotte but I can also see them giving a couple a look on the Canes or putting say Dumoulin in Charlotte and bringing up Sangs to see how he looks against NHL talent. They have some tough decisions to make in the off season and the more they know about their propects the better.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Yes…..I also believe skilled players create their own luck. But sometimes it really is luck, especially with that ref getting in the way……… The other goal where the puck glanced off Ward’s shoulder straight up and then right at the feet of that Ranger was also luck but that one was created by the hard work of the Rangers to get it there in the first place. We have had out share…….interestingly more of it since Muller set his up-tempo in place…….there you go.

Those redwood trees, otherwise called the Rangers, showed a bunch of skill last night and they will do very well in the cup run.

I forgot about our college and junior guys……something to look forward to for the rest of the season……

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Mar 2, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Officials are part of the game and it happens. Worse part on that play Boyle laying out Spacek well after the puck was gone….. while Spacek looked like he could have hustled more to get back, Boyle is a big boy and Spags may have been feeling the effects. That had as much eventual impact on the goal as the official.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

Oh to have the TALENT…..How do we get it?

In Kirk we Trust

by Mullett on Mar 2, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions

By bringing back the same players and drafting Plymouth Whalers

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

^Win

Is there a better time of year than the NHL Trade Deadline?

by C-Leaguer on Mar 2, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Ha!

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Mar 2, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

However...

On goaltending talent, the plus side favored the Canes…Biron had given up at least three goals in each of his past four games. Even our pals the Islanders scored four on him. So to only score once before pulling Ward is just not acceptable. We sure do have a knack for making second stringers look like all stars…

by 80 onI40 on Mar 2, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Like the Braves and pitching callups...

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Marty… 17 games played with a 2.2gaa and a .911 save %. Yea…. really bad goalie.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

Biron himself admitted he had been playing awful the past few weeks. I think he might be a reliable source of information.

by 80 onI40 on Mar 2, 2012 1:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

And hockey players are never a humble or self effacing. Point is that over his entire career he has been more than solid and he can throw an A game at you any time.

Rangers have been one of the stingiest teams in the league when it comes to giving up shots and goals…. the fact we only scored once had more to do with their D than our lack of offensive effort. Torts even mentioned that this was an entirely different Canes team than what they faced they last time they met and he was impressed with the quality of scoring chances they generated. He praised Marty for keeping it to one goal, and we all know how generous he is with compliments.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

I think the Rangers’ size was a factor last night. One of the few times since Captain Kirk took over that I’ve noticed our guys getting outmuscled regularly.

by Gillimus on Mar 2, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Good point. They sure are big. And now have they have Scott. Luckily he can’t skate.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Muller: Mentions "they are a big team"

One of Muller’s observations about a number of teams, both pre-game and post-game, often includes a statement to the effect that the opposing team is big. The Hurricanes need to add talent that includes an emphasis on balancing the Hurricanes over all lack of size at forward. Brody Sutter is a very big guy who seems to be improving. Rask is 6’1" and is much stronger and bigger now than when the season started. Dalpe and Bowman are listed as 6’1".

Forslund had some nice comments about Stewart last night in the Aftermath. He observed that Stewart has speed and soft hands for a big man; and ended with the statement that Stewart’s future with the Hurricanes is in Stewart’s hands.

by abramsdoug on Mar 2, 2012 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, when Harrison scored the second goal, Cam was back on the ice. After we failed to score during the powerplay, the Rangers had a faceoff in our zone due to us icing the puck, so Cam was back in, and he hadn’t gone back to the bench even though we had a faceoff in their zone, which I had thought he would be. So, when Harrison scored, we only had 5 skaters on the ice. It may have looked like more because like several times last night, the Canes also did a good job crashing the net.

by Chuck Burns on Mar 2, 2012 3:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think this game proves that talent is what you need in the league. The Rangers have been living in mediocrity for years. Overpaid players, lack of effort when it mattered, and not enough talent was their downfall. What did they do? Acquire players like Gaborik and Richards and add some more veterans, and now they are one of the best, if not the best, team in the league.

JR could take a lesson from them

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Helps when you have some wiggle room in your payroll.

They’ve got over $10 million more than us in players this year, and usually rank among league leaders in spending.

Here’s what Forbes had to say about the organization in ‘03:

The New York Rangers are the most mismanaged team in the history of the NHL. Last season the Rangers failed to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, a franchise record, despite having the highest payroll in the history of hockey. The waiting list for season ticket holders has dwindled and fans are no longer flocking to Madison Square Garden. This year should bring more of the same as the team is now laced with a roster of underachievers and has-beens. The richest cable deal in hockey keeps the team’s value atop the league.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

But its not the highest paid guys on this team that are necessarily making the difference. Look at some of these guys and what they bring and their salaries:
Callaghan 4.275mil
Boyle 1.7
Rupp 1.5
Stepan 875K
Hagelin 875K
Prust 800K
Mitchell 650K

On D:
Staal $4mil
Girardi 3.3
Del Zotto 1.1
McDonough 1.3

All of these are major contributors and most fit really well into the Canes budget. In fact take out some of our guys and substitute these and what do you have. 2003 was a lifetime ago. The Rangers are saddled with some overpriced guys. I think Gaborik and Richards are good but overpaid. Dunbinsky definitely is and they are still saddled with the Druru buyout…. but throughout the rest of the lineup their guys are well worth what they are paid. In fact I’d take several over some of our guys in a heartbeat without breaking our budget

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s not overlook how the Rangers pack the Garden despite high ticket prices and all the money coming in from the MSG network. So they can afford to overspend in a way most teams cannot.

by 80 onI40 on Mar 2, 2012 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

But we can't risk making $10 mil of mistakes and hope things will work out anyway.

That risk buffer is huge in making almost any move.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 3, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

Agree. Canes needed a bit more offensive skill to break thru the Rangers stingy defensive play.

by Hockeydog on Mar 2, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Disagree

Effort Canes = Rangers

The Rangers aren’t just relying on talent to take away time and space. That comes from effort. That same effort the Canes used to stifle up the Rangers and limit the shots and chances. The Rangers did not take the night off in terms of effort. If anything, the Canes playing up to the Rangers effort level is impressive. The issue, beyond talent, is doing that consistently for 60 minutes.

Is there a better time of year than the NHL Trade Deadline?

by C-Leaguer on Mar 2, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Samson & Bowman

It is real interesting how these 2 players have seemed to fall out of favor. I personally like both guys and think they play a pretty well-rounded game, but they have to get results. Samson only has 4 points in 11 games & Bowman only has 7 points in 24 games; neither of those stats really stand out as good. I think both of those guys have a little more offense in them and I still believe a Bowman/Sutter/Samson would be a very good 3rd/Checking line. But it seems that Muller prefers Nodl with Sutter. I think Nodl is a nice player with some abilities, but unlike many people here; I am not as high on him as some people are. I think he would be an excellent 4th liner that could be shifted elsewhere from time to time, but that’s pretty much it. You look at his stats and they are generally worse than both Bowman & Samson. He only has 7 points in 50 games (6 in 33 with the Canes), so his 0.14 PPG average is half of what Bowman’s is and close to a third of what Samson’s is. Also his +/- is the worst of the 3 at – 3 with the Canes (but he has played the most games). Samson is a – 2 in 11 games, Bowman is a + 1 in 24 games. Given that he has significant more NHL experience than Bowman & Samson, I would think that plays a part also.

I’m not saying Nodl is a bad player, I just believe he is a 4th liner. Some of you will disagree with me and it obviously seems that the coaches do also, but these are just my thoughts through what I have seen.

JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!

by PackPride17 on Mar 2, 2012 9:36 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think anyone can honestly say that Bowman and Samson haven’t been given their shot in the NHL. They have each had an opportunity to play good chunks of minutes and distinguish themselves, but really haven’t made that leap.

Nash, Dalpe, Boychuk, and Sutter47 have had some looks, but not super significant minutes. Still, none of them have distinguished themselves.

Taken as a whole, I think the organiZation now has a good idea of what these six forwards can — and can’t — bring to the table. Based solely on results (performance, goals against, goals, assists) I don’t think you can honestly say any of them belongs in the top six anytime soon, and perhaps none of them really belong on an NHL roster at all at this point (even if it’s a last-place team).

Don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, but I’m not as high on these guys making an impact as I once was. May be time to cut bait come offseason.

"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."

by Capt. Stinky on Mar 2, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

If we find it’s true that all of the prospects mentioned above are NOT NHL ready, then what was the point of this season? I thought we had all been asked to accept a less than stellar year – sacrificed to rebuild. And the rebuild was all about bringing up our prospects.

The best thing we did this year was bring in Nodl and added Spacek to our locker room?

Not to be confused with CoastalCane.

by coastalcaniac on Mar 2, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

That was last year

Last year was supposed to be the rebuild. The promise this year was a drive to the playoffs.

As to your original question, what was the point of this season, well, at least we know how good Faulk is. Fact is JR made bad decisions starting at the deadline last year and carrying through until just before the Kaberle for Spacek trade.

Is there a better time of year than the NHL Trade Deadline?

by C-Leaguer on Mar 2, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

You’re right, that’s what we said all last summer as we anxiously awaited the season to start – “this is our year”. You’re also right about Faulk. What a great outcome. Mo’s gone (or Muller’s here (take your pick)) could be another bright spot in an otherwise bare list of things to be happy about this season. Resigning Gleason and Rutuu, Staal’s late rally, etc..

But the lack of accomplishment by our prospects makes me question JR’s genius. If I’m disappointed I can only imagine how JR feels.

Not to be confused with CoastalCane.

by coastalcaniac on Mar 2, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

To be fair...

Drafting and prospect development typically falls as much on the scouting staff as the GM. And it’s not like these weren’t highly-touted guys. They had other analysts fooled, too.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

Drafting falls on scouts and the front office. Player development falls on the coaches at both the NHL and AHL level plus other 2nd tier player development assistants like Rod and Wes.
I think as an organization the Canes are middle of the pack when it comes to drafting and development. Some home runs in Staal, Sutter, Ward, Skinner, Faulk. Some notable misses over the years as have most teams.

And some players developed to a higher level by the organization: Ruutu, Jokinen, Dwyer, Tlusty, Gleason, Harrison

I’ve not given up Bowman and Dalpe. Think they will still be long term productive roster players. Boychuk is showing something this time back. Samson and Nash could go either way. Tend to think they will get overtaken as others turn pro or are drafted. Rask, Hofmann and Brody Sutter all show promise up front and the team has some real upside potential at D: Murphy, Dumoulin, Biega, Levi, Alt, Sanguinetti……. I wouldn’t bet against at least three of those on the pro team roster within the next three years.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

This is one area where I am actually very confident in the direction the franchise is moving.

No, we don’t have an elite system by any means, but we are miles ahead of where we were were three to five years ago.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 3, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

The buck stops at JR

If the organization is failing at one aspect it’s his job to identify and correct it. More importantly, this has been a budget team for eons and it’s poor decision making to not have a good scouting and development group if you can’t keep or bring in UFAs.

Is there a better time of year than the NHL Trade Deadline?

by C-Leaguer on Mar 2, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure if this is still true but two years the Wings’ European scouting budget alone was bigger than what he had for our entire scouting staff. That’s how you find the Datsuyks and Zetterbergs in the later rounds.

by sittler27 on Mar 2, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Brent?

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, dang, love Brent.

Not to be confused with CoastalCane.

by coastalcaniac on Mar 2, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

I think this is important to keep in mind when everybody wants to trade X and Y defenseman because we have such amazing defensive prospects. A few years ago nobody would ever shut up about our elite forward prospects and not one of them has done anything in the NHL.

Jamie McBain is an awful, awful hockey player, and he’s still 10x the player that any of our forward prospects presently are.

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

No. 1 move in offseason

Steal scouts from Detroit?

by Bgallen on Mar 2, 2012 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah. For a team that drafts where they do every year they always do very well. They cover Europe better than any other team in the league.

by Hockeydog on Mar 2, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Lots of money in that budget, I'm sure.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

“awful, awful” … exaggerate much?

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Mar 2, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

He’s tied for 44th in d-man scoring. Is he a bit of a mess in his own end still? Sure … but he’s a good young player.

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Mar 2, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

I think it was a bit of an exaggeration . . .

To shed light on the larger point. McBain, who may have complained about (although I still think Joni is a good comparison here) is better individually than the group of forwards. Maybe not Dalpe, but that’s a big maybe. Skinner and Sutter have come through the draft, so the team is getting better. The D, who no one was a harsher critic of JR’s strategy than I, is very very surprising and pleasant. The answer to the lack of talent at forward aint coming from Charlotte.

Is there a better time of year than the NHL Trade Deadline?

by C-Leaguer on Mar 2, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

He gets lit up like a Christmas tree playing third-pairing minutes and facing weak match-ups. He’s absolutely abysmal unless the puck is in the offensive zone…I wouldn’t even classify him as a puck-moving defenseman because he’s horrific at moving the puck.

And yet still, he is infinitely more useful than Drayson Bowman and Jerome Samson., who are completely useless in all zones and situatioons

by Kahz on Mar 2, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He’s a slow starter. He may play well in game 82.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Unfortunately, he is a defenseman. I don’t care if you are 1st in D scoring if you are an atrocity in your own end. You are likely causing more goals against than you are for, and McBain is definitely doing this.

by hurricane9 on Mar 2, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

A few years ago nobody would ever shut up about our elite forward prospects and not one of them has done anything in the NHL.

Bowman was a 3rd rounder and he looks to be a solid 3rd/4th liner. That sounds about right for a 3rd round pick.

Samson was undrafted and he appears to be a 4th liner/AHL guy. That’s probably higher than most would have expected.

Dalpe was a 2nd rounder and he is hit or miss right now. He has some scoring ability, but hasn’t refined his all-around game. This is only his 2nd “pro” season, so he should still end up being a quality pro.

Boychuk was a 1st rounder and is the only one that really hasn’t completely lived up to expectations. He should still be a pro in the next couple of seasons, but he is probably a disappointment.

Nash was a late 1st rounder and is probably a little less than what was expected when he was drafted. But he looks to be a solid 4th line/PK center in a couple of seasons. Not all 1st rounders are top 6 players.

Tlusty was a 1st rounder and has seemed to find his game this season. He might not be a true 1st liner, but he appears to be a solid 2nd/3rd line winger that can do a lot of things. I definitely underestimated him, but I’m a glad he is working out.

So I wouldn’t say that all of our forward prospects have done nothing. For the most part, all but Boychuk & Nash are right around where they should be.

What a team we might be with 1 more star forward!

by PackPride17 on Mar 2, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

We also didn't need to use a #1 to get Nash.

Just a mid-second-rounder we had extra from the Cullen deal. So that’s likely going to be a net win for the franchise.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

I’d like to see the Russian up here at some point.
It does appear that our prospects in the AHL may have been overrated. I still think Dalpe has some potential, but could there be an attitude issue? Rumors abound about that – but I have not heard of anything from our insiders to confirm or deny.

by Hockeydog on Mar 2, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

I would like to see his skill in a 'Canes sweater, too...

but he’s only put up 1-7 in 15 games in Charlotte, and he’s a minus player there for a team leading its division. Doesn’t exactly suggests he deserves a callup on the merit system.

by MichaelProcton on Mar 2, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Nodl and the Third Line

I think Nodl has been great on the third line, despite having hands of lead when he gets near the goal. I also think the third line as a whole has been good in their role, but their role has definitely not been to score. Muller’s been using them as a shutdown line against the best of other teams, and they’ve been succeeding pretty well at that. It would DEFINITELY be nice if they could turn some of that defense into effective offense, but if they can’t, I still like them together. One of the biggest problems this team had was defense – allowing 30, 40, 50 shots per night against Ward, the only goalie we let play. The shot totals seem to be down, and overall the third line has limited true scoring chances – even when shot totals are high, they tend to be lower-percentage shots than opponents were getting previously.

Plus it’s fun to see the other teams’ stars stymied time and again. Hence, I like Nodl, and think he fits in well. But if Nodl-Sutter-XXXX could get someone who could score, that’d be great.

I wish I had numbers to compare his +/-‘s before/after being put with Sutter, as well as that lines’ scoring chances for/against compared to other lines. But, I’m at work, so I’ll leave that effort to someone else if they’re bored.

by Bgallen on Mar 2, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions