We will be doing an informal Canes watch party at Bond Brothers Beer in Cary for Thursday’s Canes vs. Isles match up. Consider this your invitation to combine Canes hockey, local beer and Caniac company.
Don’t look now, but the Carolina Hurricanes are now riding a five-game point streak heading into a busy weekend with three games in four days. The burning question right now is whether the Hurricanes are turning the corner as we speak or if what will inevitably be an up and down season is just on the ‘up’ right now.
The Thursday Coffee Shop offers the usual couple polls but past that is a bit more wide open for reader topics today.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) Ask your own Carolina Hurricanes question. The next two people to comment need to answer it.
2) What is the state of the 2017-18 Carolina Hurricanes right now?
3) If you were Bill Peters and/or Ron Francis right now, what moves would you be making to assure that the winning ways continue?
Go Canes!
1. Do we really need cheerleaders providing sis boom bah at the games at PNC Arena?
2. Pretty much what I expected. Getting incrementally better each game, a team that is competitive and tough to play and within shooting distance of a playoff spot.
3. Hope no one gets hurt.
I started my post before ten’s was up. The answer is NO, NO, NO.
Yes cheerleaders is the only way we get creepy old guys and teenage boys to attend. We can’t lose any more attendance.
Seriously though, no. They also have them in Charlotte too.
1) Who is most likely to keep up the 65-point pace? Williams/TT/Staal How about the 45-point pace McGinn is on, can make it happen over 80 games?
2) On schedule. The major moves (Darling and Williams) have worked out through the first 1/5 of the season. The minor moves: trusting Fleury and adding TVR has worked better than hoped and eliminated the need for another D signing; adding Jooris and Kruger has made the fourth line the best in the league; sticking with McGinn has worked though it might be too soon to say he will completely replace Stempniak’s scoring.
3) Remain positive about the power play. I am as much results focused as anyone, but after re-watching the Florida game I think the adjustments have been made. Two of the man advantages in that game were well above average and only Luongo’s play kept it off the board. The power play only needs to be middle of the pack to be a big because the team will continue to have a substantial advantage in power play time given its discipline.
Williams. Staal and TT have both proven to be streaky. That’s why this streak may be fools gold (although I didn’t vote in that poll). We’ll see if they can be consistent though.
I’m not sure either Williams or Staal finishes with 65+ points, but I think mid-high 50s would be good for both. If I had to pick 1 for 65, I’d take Williams.
If Peters keeps putting skill players with Staal, my money is on him to have the best chance. Why? He often plays against the other team’s top lines. Most offensive players trend towards an even +/- score, and big scoring lines / players give up a lot of goals too. For example, see Jeff Skinner (career -69). Staal has played mostly with grinders in CAR, dropping his career +/- from +53 at Pitt to +42 total. At +6 already this year, not only is his line shutting down opposition but they are also putting up goals. Plus, playing against top competition, he is often on the ice with Slavin/Pesce, who are elite in their ability to drive possession into the offensive zone.
The combination of these three things: 1) offensive zone possession time, 2) playing against opposition offensive specialists, and 3) skill/finishers on the wings – makes the outlook very good for the part-time captain.
McGinn already has bruises on his bruises from playing in front of the net. At 6’0″ and 185 lbs (probably soaking wet on skates) I have nothing but admiration for this man, but it is very hard to maintain net front presence for 82 games at that size. In addition, staying healthy enough to play and healthy enough to keep scoring are different things. Unless he is a freak of nature (e.g. “Red Rod” Brind’Amour) the physical elements will probably limit him. A 30 pt regular season is more likely, unless we suddenly ignite the power play and he stays on it.
We are so close to being in the thick of things. If Faulk and Rask and Lindy can step up offensively this team could go on a huge point streak.
This is simply a reply to Matt’s question above.
3) If I were GMRF, I would look for minor league trades for players with a high ceiling but in need of a change of scenery. Our depth is sufficient enough that we don’t need a big stock of future bottom six forwards / 3rd pairings, and he can take some chances on players that may become high impact elite players (with some adjustments). We are still a very young team with a bright future and fortunate to be in a position to collect a few more high ceiling guys with the hope that a couple work out.
I really like this idea. We have middle/bottom 6 depth for days and even more coming through the minors. I also really hope RF switches to a more aggressive draft strategy this season and takes chances on the Debrincats of the world
Eric. You are spot on. 2018 appears to be a draft deep in scoring potential. Even drafting at 25 (winning one playoff series) should allow some risk/reward strategy. Right now my favorite are Bokk or Noel. One or both should be available.
1) The complete rebuild set out buy RF is still underway. Seems like a lot of people have lost patience and people’s reactions after the 2 losses last week confirms this. Is it overreacting for fans to expect GMFR to make a move to improve this team?
2) What is the state of the 2017-18 Carolina Hurricanes right now?
I think it is going as expected (at least by me.) Nice improvements and I think that we continue to get better. We have some holes, transition Defense is a concern. Goaltending consistency is a concern. Continued Lack of scoring is a concern… but all of these are understandable considering the age of the team. I think we are fighting for a playoff spot the last week of the season with a chance to get in… that was my out look from the start of the season and that is still the case.
3) If you were Bill Peters and/or Ron Francis right now, what moves would you be making to assure that the winning ways continue?
I package Faulk and Rask for RNH. Ive said it before and I still think that is the best move available. Faulk for JVR is a no for me which has been chatted about. I would try to get Nylander if Toronto is the trade partner. I wasn’t in on the Duchene trade. Ironically I like Turries much better but he plays a game similar to Jordan with a bit better shot just not as high end defensively. I think adding RNH would set this team up down the middle. I like DR’s game (in the right situations) and Jordan is a beast, our 4th Line is solid. Add RNH and put Lindy and Williams on his wings. That leaves Skinner with DR and BM.. 3 pretty solid scoring lines.
Yes and No. It is over-reacting to expect a big move but minor league trades would be fine.
Finally thought of a question. Who would you most like to see “stand up” for a teammate, including fighting, if the situation calls for it?
Good question. We know the guys that have… Williams is the first guy to jump in a scrum when anything is going on! I love that! Skinner has been jumping in when one of his linemates is in the mix which is something that I wouldn’t expect but love his fire. Most guys seem to stick up for teammates in the scrum department…
The guy I want to see do that more is Jordan. He plays a hard and physical game but doesn’t do much after the whistle… I wouldn’t mind seeing him engage a bit more in that area but only in the as needed moment. I think most have done that. I think he could be more assertive when time comes.
Justin Faulk. In an era where the old school “enforcers” are mostly gone, I think Faulk could hold his own with almost anyone. It has been awhile, but he has won a few of his fights pretty decisively (like he’s fighting, not just trying to hold on and stay safe until it’s over).
Faulk has fought when he was playing at his best, and represented himself well. Giving Lupul a beat down after he gave Faulk a couple elbows to the head was a classic.
I would also love to see Staal have a mean streak in him but he just doesn’t. He looks like he is just holding on and playing defense.
Most people here are sold on RF, and his alleged plan…
BUT I am impatient, I’d like to see a winning team before I die!