With a debilitating 6-1 loss to the Penguins coming off of a four-day break and heading into the stretch run of a so far quiet trade deadline lead up, a game recap for tonight could go any of 1,000 directions.
Breaking down the game like I usually do seems completely pointless. It would be like spending a bunch of timing drawing out in detail how a fire spread from one floor to the next while a massive fire was still burning and engulfing a skyscraper right before our very eyes.
I might or might not (currently leaning toward not) invest a few minutes on Saturday breaking down the actual game, but version one of today’s recap goes a different direction and aims to mostly address broader issues.
1) The lack of jump, determination or whatever you want to call it as the game wore on was a massive disappointment. The Hurricanes were outplayed from the beginning (did not even win the shot total which is rare even in the worst of losses), but at least early on, the compete level was there. But at some point during the second period, the team seemed to quit on this game.
Cam Ward breaking his stick over the cross bar after goal number six and then chucking the handle in the general direction of the Hurricanes bench was easily the lasting image on a tough night and maybe destined to be the one of a handful that stick in people’s minds heading into the offseason.
2) I cannot help wondering how big the gap is between Francis and Peters right now. Peters has been increasingly vocal about the trade deadline including after today’s loss while Francis has been incredibly quiet. The brief exchange between Peters and Francis at the end of season press conference last April about needing more players seems increasingly more foretelling by the day.
3) Friday was a perfectly orchestrated multi-level demonstration of how woefully short the Hurricanes are at the center position right now. Jordan Staal being out of the lineup left the Hurricanes other centers exposed and ready to be eaten alive by the Penguins, and that is exactly what happened. Even greater irony is that the Penguins who have Crosby and Malkin in their top two slots and had been getting decent play in the third slot from Connor Sheary paid a small fortune (which is many times the fortune Ron Francis was willing to spend last summer) to obtain a higher-end third center in the form of Derek Brassard. That sits in striking contrast to a Hurricanes team that entered last offseason desperately needing a playmaking center or at least more offensive help and mostly just passed because the deals were not there or the prices were too high or whatever. The team is now treacherously close to seeing another season pass with the same scoring woes at least partly due from not having a true offensive center.
After seeing the same thing happen with the goalie situation in the summer before (it hasn’t worked but Francis at least tried this past summer), I think the general lesson now learned twice is that if it’s broken, you have to at least try to fix it rather than hoping it fixes itself.
4) Is it possible to be in a worse position despite being only a point out of a playoff spot? The situation is truly bizarre. With a win on Saturday, as unlikely as it seems, and a little bit of help, the Hurricanes could go into the last 20 games of the season sitting in a playoff spot. If a Canes fan missed the entire season and then just checked the standings tomorrow, he/she would be legitimately happy that the team is in the thick of the playoff race. But given the current trajectory and inability to find any kind of consistency, the season feels most certainly destined to end in disappointment, and factual evidence suggests that the feeling is accurate.
5) The 6-8 minutes shortly after the Hurricanes scored early in the second period to pull to within a goal at 2-1 was the 2017-18 season in a nutshell. With jump from scoring a goal the Hurricanes surged. On one shift Rask and Williams had point blank chances and failed to score. Then Skinner/Lindholm/Stempniak followed immediately with an even better shift. Stempniak missed from the side of the net. Lindholm fired right into the middle of the goalie from between the face-off circles. And the team must have collected 4-5 near misses from point shots, the puck into traffic or whatever else. Shortly after the massive flurry but no goal, the puck went the other direction and was behind Ward for the Penguins third goal. The Hurricanes proceeded to fold shortly thereafter.
6) The Hurricanes do not need bigger players to go to the front of the net. They just need players who will go to the front of the net. One thing the Penguins have is a nearly team-wide mentality to get the puck and players to between the face-off circles in the offensive zone. It is not about size. It is about habits, willingness and commitment.
7) All the drama for Saturday. Interestingly, the Hurricanes have actually been very good in games immediately following an abysmal effort. As much as it feels like Saturday could prove to be capitulation day for the 2017-18 season, I will not be shocked at all if the Hurricanes rebound, play well and win on Saturday. That actually follows the script for this season also follows history that suggests that the fan base must suffer in March despite mostly losing the season sooner.
8) There must be jolt to the system. I just do not see how the current situation just kind of rights itself gradually. Be it a big trade, a coaching change, a captain change, someone breaking a bunch of stuff in the locker room or whatever else, I increasingly believe that it takes some kind of shock to the system to chart a new course.
Added Saturday morning
In having time to sleep on it, the game was still a horrible one. What concerns me most was two things. First was how the team seemed to quit about halfway through it. Second is just how big the gap is right now between Pittsburgh which is a team building toward the playoffs and the Hurricanes who need to find some kind of significant change quickly to have any chance of doing so.
That said, the Penguins are firing on all cylinders right now having come in with an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games. The Pens have won four of those games by three or more goals. So to some degree, the team needs to flush this one and look forward.
Based on the current trend, it legitimately seems increasingly unlikely that the Hurricanes are going to find the one burst of great play that they need to push into the playoffs. But they are still just that one burst away from doing so.
Next up is a quick turnaround and a 7pm start in Detroit tomorrow.
Go Canes!
Pit has a few key players that lead the way and compete hard. Then they bring up their draftees and young guns and let them bring energy and enthusiasm to the rink.
The Canes leaders are not leading, not competing hard, and nobody is brought in to make a change, our precious pool of future talent that we have been stockpiling sits down in charlotte.
It looks we refuse to trade them, yet we refuse to use them.
The only difference between this team now and this team 5 years ago is that we have no super stars and a lot more prospects, but if we don’t use the prospect, there is no difference, point wise, progress wise, we’re not seeing any improvements.
Bill Peters comments at the end of the press conference were interesting. He made it pretty clear that he has asked for tradeline help, but seems frustrated he’s not getting any.
He also told our announcers that he does not decide on player movements, he only coaches the players he is given.
Today’s game is dispiriting and yet another example that the team lacks grit, compete, leadership, goaltending and is weak at the center position.
This team is cancerous. You can trade them all for all I care. Matter of fact, with the losing culture the roster now has ingrained, we’ll probably have to rid ourselves of all of them to ever turn into a contender. I’ve lost any confidence in Francis. A good player does not make a good GM, obviously. You can draft marginal players at 12th overall for years on end. As soon as they crack a pro team their value shoots down. Especially considering very few prospects we seem to draft come anywhere near their potential. So keep waiting for them to turn into bottom six forwards and one dimensional occasional scorers like Skinner. It’s obviously working out for us beautifully.
OH and last but not least. All the teams around us are looking for ways to improve, to jolt the team, to add talent, to go for it, to make a run. meanwhile the Canes sit around and do nothing.
I know JR tended towards the overzellous at times and made a few headscratching decisions, though I still his biggest blunder, the Semin signing, was something nobody saw coming and based on his play at the time the contract was signed, it looked lot better than it turned out.
But over reacting and making change without reason is one thing, but equally bad is sitting idle and letting collect losses, unsuccessful seasons and bad team habits without doing anything.
Pittsburgh embraced the suck. They got first and second overall picks. It netted them Fleury, Crosby, Malkin. Obviously not all drafts contain players equal to those, but you get my point. The definition of insanity… continuing to do this crap over and over but expecting different results. Ron needs to get what he can for Stempniak, Williams, Faulk, probably Cam Ward, Skinner, maybe even Jordan Staal, and get to the BOTTOM of the standings. Maybe we could even pick up another first rounder for someone to gamble on Hanifin’s potential. He’ll probably reach it if he’s traded. He won’t here. I’d love Dahlin on the back end. Multiple big time forwards in this draft too like Brady Tkachuk, Filip Zadina, Svechnikov, Boqvist. Get one of them to put alongside Necas, Slavin, Pesce, Bean, Teuvo, Nic Roy, and Aho, and maybe one of our goalies like Ned (much improved this year) or Booth or Helvig pans out, and that core MAYBE will have the youthful exuberance to take this team somewhere. This core (Staal — where the hell was he in our biggest game of the year? Our capt – oh, I mean co-captain? — Faulk, Skinner ) does not have the balls, the heart to lead this team anywhere. Time for changes. Real ones.
I heard Staal was out because his wife was in labor. It sucks but I’m not going to fault him there.
I agree, there are more important things then hockey. I have no problem with him not being at the game because of a new born.
I am on record multiple times saying this divide between GMRF and BP must be resolved for the team to move forward. It came to a head at the end-of-season press conference last year, when while coaching a rebuilding team, BP said “we need experienced NHLers, the guys from Charlotte are not [going to do it]”. The press should have called timeout and introduced BP to the GM.
GMRF probably should have made a change then, but instead he brought in 5 experienced NHLers – Williams, Kruger, Jooris, Darling, and TVR. We promoted only one from CLT – Fleury. Of the 5 experienced NHLers, only two – Williams and TVR – have made a positive impact. 2-out-of-5 worked out. Williams was brought in to provide veteran leadership, but was immediately made “not the leader”, and instead we got alternating captains instead of alternate captains. It speaks to Williams’ outstanding character that he has given 100% in spite of being dissed by rogue coach.
The only CLT promotion – Fleury – has fit in fine.
If GMRF believes in his rebuilding strategy, JOB #1 is to get a coach that believes in it also. Alternately, Dundon could get a replacement GM who will trade our prospects for more veteran NHLers and appease BP. IMHO the latter would not work: every coach would love to have Crosby and Malkin and Karlsson and Kucherov and Ovechkin and McDavid and Stamkos… heck I could coach that team. But the job of a coach is to get the best out of the players that you have, and BP has not done that.
If we believe in our rebuilding strategy, double down. Trade all impending UFAs: Doc, Stempniak and Ward, for something instead of nothing. Look hard at impending RFAs: PDG, Nordstrom, Dahlbeck, Jooris – are they players who will help us win a Stanley cup? Then the next wave of RFAs – Lindholm and Hanifin – are probably keepers.
Then bring in the guys from Charlotte. Many threads have discussed which ones to bring first. Assign them to a coach who believes in rebuilding a team. Give them a veteran champion captain to follow. Then see if we can do better than 2-out-of-5 success rate.
I’m not going to disagree with the overall premise of your post. The only part I don’t agree with is the, “job of a coach is to get the best out of players and BP has not done that.” Actually, he has done just that which is why we’re still competitive with this roster. For my own commentary, Faulk cannot be traded fast enough for me. Take your minus a gazzilion rear end somewhere else.
I echo everything said above. It is frustrating to see the apparent divide between the coach (who should go) and the GM. I left the game very early last night and I have never done that since the team came here. It was just too difficult to watch our guys get embarrassed and to throw Ward under the table. I saw no pride, fight, or desire. What I saw was a lineup that was outclassed in every aspect of the game. I saw Ward, Skinner, Williams, Pesce, Aho, and Slavin trying to drag the rest of the team with them.
I saw a team that needs an infusion of energy and a challenge for their jobs. We have the horses in Charlotte to give the infusion of energy. We don’t have the coach who will use them enthusiastically.
RF started with a roster of Faulk, Gleason, Harrison, Liles, Sekera, Murphy, Hainsey, Bellemore and Komisarkik as defensemen, Ward, Peters, and Khudobin as goalies, and Skinner, Dwyer, Gerbe, Lindholm, Malholtra, Nash, Ruutu, Semin, Tlusty, J. Staal, E. Staal, Dvorak, Bowman, and Loktinov as forwards. Of these players 10 remain in the NHL (5 with Canes: J.Staal, Faulk, Ward, Lindholm, and Skinner). The rest (16 players) are out of the league.
BP in 2014-15 started with a roster that included E. Staal, Skinner, Faulk, Gerbe, Nash, Tlusty, Liles, McClement, Semin, Malone, Dwyer, Hainsey, Gleason, Lindholm, Rask, Nestrasil, Sekera, J. Staal, Harrison, Ward, Khudobin, Skinner, and several other players who played only sporadically (Terry, Brown, Biega, etc.). This group finished last in its division with 71 points under BP a drop of 12 points from the prior year.
RF has remade the defense corps into Slavin, Fleury, Hanifin, Pesce, Dahlback, and Van Reimsdyk and made it into one of the youngest and best in the league with the weakest link being Faulk the only remaining holdover.
He has added Aho, Teravainen, Williams, Nordstrom, Stempniak, Ryan, Jooris, McGinn, DiGuiseppe, and Kruger to the holdover forwards J.Staal, Skinner, and Lindholm and replaced Khudobin/Peters with Darling in goal. It is clear here that our roster of forwards has improved, but not enough. Looking at Charlotte I see many young good looking forward prospects (based upon their AHL records). RF appears to be banking upon a couple of them (at least) developing into first line NHL forwards. I can go along with him on this, but I believe the time is now to get them to the NHL. We have 20 games to really give the youngsters a run when games really mean something. That surely gives us more of a chance to determine what we really have as NHL ready first line forwards in this group. If we wait until training camp when we will have 6 or 7 exhibition games (all teams playing hybrid rosters) there is no way to get a real line on which young players are ready to step up and play on the first line in the NHL. That means we would have to start the season next year with the first 20 or so games trying out the youngsters and potentially losing that season in the process.
This is where BP and RF need to separate. It is in RF’s best interest IMO based upon comments above that he get the youngsters up here NOW. It is obvious to me BP doesn’t want to do this because if he can squeak into the playoffs this year it makes him look better as a coach. He gets to look better for one year at the sacrifice of the team developing into a real contender for the cup next year and beyond.
Just my opinion.
I agree that we’re overdue to see whether any of our prospects are ready to make difference at this level.
I’m processing whether or not I agree that we are in this spot because of a rift between coach and gm. I tend to think not.
Agreed with you until your last sentence. I may be wrong, but nothing BP has done meks me think he is that selfish to sacrifice the team to make him look good. Just don’t see that.
I’m sure glad I missed this game (traveling). If this crowd wasn’t there already, it sure seemed to push everyone completely over the edge.
I’m just going to (i) refer to #4 above and pretend the season starts today with us right in the thick of it; and, (ii) hope that there is action by Monday to stir this is up (we do need it).
I didn’t realize Staal would be out – wonder what his status is for tonight – bad timing but an excusable absence. A reminder to how valuable he really is.
dmimlleravid, the reason for all the negativity is the team after the first period just seemed to quit. They embarrassed the fans, Ward, and themselves. Ward threw his stick at the bench after last goal. Ward played well, but just had no help. It looked like men against boys. No fight at all.
What was left of his stick after smashing it across the pipes.
Well, it certainly looks as if things couldn’t get any worse. They could, of course, but it appears as if we are at the nadir. The crew of the USS Caine was in full mutiny mode last night and Captain Queeg was behind the bench fondling his steel ballbearings, mumbling something about strawberries.
Of course, neither of our goalkeepers is in on the mutiny. And certain of our skaters are remaining loyal to the chain of command. All characters are playing their roles loudly in this tragicomedy. All, that is, save one. Ronnie is quietly doing his job. What is he doing? Can he do anything? Can he do enough? None of us could possibly know. But i have a feeling. A good feeling.
Put me firmly in the camp that is happy and understands that Jordan Staal missed the game to be with his wife for the arrival of their child. Because they are often on the road with no control of their travel schedule, players sometimes miss this. In cases where it is possible to be there, they absolutely should.
Timing is also incredibly good, as it serves as a reminder to everyone that even for passionate hockey fans there are things that are much more important.
Agreed. It shows how valuable JS really is. Take Faulk out for a game and I believe you would see no difference in the way the team performs. Trade Faulk.
Something has to give between BP and GMRF.
BP – He is being asked to get the best out of the roster he is provided. Some will say he has not with all the line changes and not benching the right players who seem to be unmotivated at times, but others can argue he has gotten the best of the group. We are closer to a playoff spot this year, without adding any improved scoring. BP more or less acknowledged he does not have much say in the roster, but has been vocal at various times to add to this group (aka – the team needs more scoring talent and grit). While there are some games the team clearly seems unmotivated, we have to question if BP benched a player or two, did GMRF provide BP with reinforcements to make this happen? Could the net result of not addressing the elephant in the room, aka more top 6 talent, effect the morale of the team over the course of an 82-game season? Absolutely.
GMRF – He makes the majority of decisions roster-wise, with the expectation BP carry out his plan with his roster. He even vocalized the elephant in the room last summer stating more scoring was needed. He was unable to pull said deal or signing of such player. He brings in a goalie to take the reigns who quickly flopped to the point being a backup is risky. Our young guys continue to be streaky and overwhelmed. His coach cannot bench any star player because he has not provided roster moves from CLT to allow such. Yet this year we are closer to a playoff spot, which can be taken as BP squeezing the most out of the current team. GMRF knows the market, what other GMs are asking, and is likely working the phones trying to improve the team. Yet other teams deal quicker for top end talent for what seems reasonable prices (picks and prospects), which is something GMRF has proven not yet willing to do. Crucial games come and go with no assistance provided to coach or team. Playoffs within reach yet feels so far away.
Resulting argument – are the expectations being met by coach? Are they too high for the existing group? Has GM provided the best, even modest reinforcements to help morale and reaching the collective goal?
I envy Tom Dundon. I envy him for a number of reasons, actually. But i envy him most for his perspective. He sees the true dynamic taking place among all the players in the cast. He sees what Ronnie is trying to do. He sees how Ronnie is dealing with Bill. He knows what Ronnie faces when talking to other GMs. Wow! What a kick.
Are the Canes closer to a playoff spot this year because they play better, or because other teams play worse (there is more parity)?
I admit I am being lazy but I wonder what our point total is this year compared to last (for same amount of games played).
I bet we’re either on pace or slightly behind.
Now it must be time to determinately go in either direction, add experience and grit and go all in for the playoffs or offload all offloadables, call up the future and look forward again to next year.
GMRF says he won’t bring up developing players to play 6 minutes a night. When he brings them up, BP plays them less than 6 minutes. If BP wanted them here, he would give playing time.
For Wallmark’s last game he got something like 4,5 minutes, so GMRF sent him back down.
They are not on the same page.
Agree but last game I do understand why Wally had so few minutes. We had too many stupid penalties and we’re in pk mode most of the night.
Frankly I am surprised that Bill Peters woke up with a job this morning – he basically threw both the team and RF under the bus with his words last night.
I believe the answer in in the middle for BP or RF being the problem. The coach is responsible for taking what he has and getting the best out of it. How many games have our guys come out flat. That is not acceptable. BP does not get a high grade. You coach what you have. On the flip side, RF may (not sure) have had his hands tied due to budget, but as ashevillecaniac said, two out of 5 is not very good. We have never seen RF try to do anything meaningful to help this team. It has always been small incremental steps. So, not impressed. He does not get a high grade either.
At this point, even if we make the playoffs we are going to get nowhere. We have lost to 4 metropolitan division teams in the last few games. That is not a recipe for going very far. I aa not sure it makes sense to make any trades at the deadline. We would probably pay up and still get nowhere. The only thing to look at is some player who will make an impact, who have some term. Outside of that wait for all the UFA as the end of the season and then pay somebody the big bucks who can really make a difference. Doing it now means sacrificing the talent we refuse to use in the AHL. I think they should be coming up now to gain experience as I do not fell we will get very far. I would be selling Rask, Faulk (no chance for Darling) etc. There is not much to be gained by obtaining a high priced option at this time. Wait until we do not have to give the store away and then pay up for a difference maker.