GDT: Knights @ Canes, Rage!

[bluedevil58]

At first I thought that was his wife. But it's his sister? I am relieved it isn't his wife doing that.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Maybe Scott was texting her what to say while he was scowling away on the bench for the final 3/4 of the game

At least Peters had the decency to pull him this time. Vegas probably would’ve scored 10

 

[Blueline Bomber]

The result sucks, but it wasn't unexpected. Starting Darling against one of the best teams in the league, in a back-to-back situation, there was very little that was likely to go our way.

The good news is that, while we have sucked out loud of late, so have the Rangers and Islanders. So not a lot of ground lost to them. The Flyers, however, are 8-2-0 in their last 10, so...

 

[tarheelhockey]

The saving grace, for the short term at least, is we have no better way to spend the $4 million. It’s not like we’re up against the cap, or trying to sign a Tavares level player in any serious way. For the foreseeable future, Darling’s contract isn’t an actual anchor the way it would have been on another team. So for practical purposes, he’s just another crummy backup in a long line of them.

That dynamic may change in the next couple of years as we move into the next phase of roster development. Trades, extensions, FA signings might make that $4M more important, depending on what kind of resources Dundon’s actually bringing to the table. By 2020 or so, I’d expect we will need to have either a better form of Scott Darling, or a plan to move on from him.

But for the time being, it’s just as well to slow-roll the situation. Let Cam play, because he’s earned it. Give Darling every 4th or 5th start against weak teams, like a backup would expect. Get him out of the spotlight and let him build his game back up. No sense in making a panic move just to end up with yet another backup at a slightly lower price tag.

 

[WhiteTrashAmerican]

Typical russian player bad attitude cancer. Come on Darling

 

[RodTheBawd]

Typical russian player bad attitude cancer. Come on Darling

Hmm... Russians... vodka... I see what you did there, that's terrible.

 

[bluedevil58]

I'm thinking we should make a legit try at landing ROR or maybe even Kane (even though he would likely be a rental). Both of these guys would bring in a dynamic that we need and I think both could be had.

Rask
Faulk
2018 3rd

for

ROR
Kane

 

[JCLA]

Rask and a 3rd probably doesn't get you ROR and at this point I don't think Faulk gets you Kane

 

[bluedevil58]

So what do you think is a realistic option to get both?

 

[Lempo]

Evander would bring all the wrong kind of dynamic.



Evander Kane, Justin Falk involved in Sabres’ practice altercation as team tensions rise

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

If you straight up say Kane would be a rental why would you make a proposal for him?

We’re in a position to be acquiring rentals? Especially at the price Buffalo is rumoured to be asking for him?

 

[bluedevil58]

I'm saying a packaged deal to at least land ROR. Kane would be nice as well if we resigned. This team is too soft as is.

 

[Svechhammer]

She's not helping.

A quick look at her other tweets and... That's toxic. She's openly talking crap about how the team is failing him. This is the kind of attitude you can't allow to fester in the locker room for too long, and with how bad Darling has been, it's probably best to move on as soon as you can.

 

[The Stranger]

The saving grace, for the short term at least, is we have no better way to spend the $4 million. It’s not like we’re up against the cap, or trying to sign a Tavares level player in any serious way. For the foreseeable future, Darling’s contract isn’t an actual anchor the way it would have been on another team. So for practical purposes, he’s just another crummy backup in a long line of them.

That dynamic may change in the next couple of years as we move into the next phase of roster development. Trades, extensions, FA signings might make that $4M more important, depending on what kind of resources Dundon’s actually bringing to the table. By 2020 or so, I’d expect we will need to have either a better form of Scott Darling, or a plan to move on from him.

But for the time being, it’s just as well to slow-roll the situation. Let Cam play, because he’s earned it. Give Darling every 4th or 5th start against weak teams, like a backup would expect. Get him out of the spotlight and let him build his game back up. No sense in making a panic move just to end up with yet another backup at a slightly lower price tag.

You are THGM...what is your vision for the 2019 Canes? Who are you bringing in to share the net with Darling and what contract are you giving said player?

 

[Wolfpuck]

A quick look at her other tweets and... That's toxic. She's openly talking crap about how the team is failing him. This is the kind of attitude you can't allow to fester in the locker room for too long, and with how bad Darling has been, it's probably best to move on as soon as you can.

She's openly crapping on the team that gave her brother a 4 year contract worth $16 million.

Smart.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

A quick look at her other tweets and... That's toxic. She's openly talking crap about how the team is failing him. This is the kind of attitude you can't allow to fester in the locker room for too long, and with how bad Darling has been, it's probably best to move on as soon as you can.

It all depends if that's only her attitude or if it's Darling's as well. Darling, I'd assume, at least recognizes that he's not playing well so he can't pin it all on the team.in front of him, as she has.

 

[bluedevil58]

It all depends if that's only her attitude or if it's Darling's as well. Darling, I'd assume, at least recognizes that he's not playing well so he can't pin it all on the team.in front of him, as she has.

She must be getting it from somewhere. I hope it's not from Darling. He needs to tell her to tone it down.

 

[Joe McGrath]

It all depends if that's only her attitude or if it's Darling's as well. Darling, I'd assume, at least recognizes that he's not playing well so he can't pin it all on the team.in front of him, as she has.

Yeah I mean that’s goalie family attitude 101. As long as he understands that he’s at least part of the problem it makes no difference.

 

[tarheelhockey]

You are THGM...what is your vision for the 2019 Canes? Who are you bringing in to share the net with Darling and what contract are you giving said player?

2018-19?

Unless some opportunity comes out of left field, I'd say keep Ward and Darling in place. Cam is only 33 and is performing like a middle-of-the-road starter in spite of his save%. Also, he's a known quantity and I don't think it's worth throwing our fate to the winds next season to take a risk on another backup-turned-starter experiment. Let Ward have the crease as a veteran leader to start the season, let Darling build his game as backup, and keep things stable for a while.

I'd take a LONG look at goalie coaches around the league. It's obvious that we have failed to integrate these big blocking goalies (Darling, Lack) into the gameplan. That's either a coaching failure or a scouting/GM failure. I'd want to get to the bottom of that, and see if there's something to be salvaged with Darling.

Depending on how Darling responds, I'd be talking to Colorado (Varlamov/Bernier), Philly (Elliott/Neuvirth), and Islanders (Halak/Greiss) to find out their plans for their guys going forward. I'd be keeping an eye on guys like Cal Pickard and Michael Hutchinson, who are at risk of being lost in a numbers game in their organizations despite playing very well in the AHL. And most of all, I'd be looking at guys like Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson, who are getting torched behind bad teams in impatient markets. To me, that's where you might be able to swoop in and steal a 5-year starter from some panicky GM for pennies on the dollar.

To me, the next 12 months are not the time to change goalies. Just hold tight, use our scouting staff to find out what cards are still in the deck, and play them accordingly.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Probably a better strategy than screaming "Make a f***ing save!"

 

[Joe McGrath]

Peters, Bales, and Darling are going to have a “long sit-down” today.

Here’s my assumption of the conversation:

BP: Make a f***ing save!
SD: I’m trying coach
BP: Make a f***ing save!
MB: Uh Bill I don’t think this is helpful.
BP: You Make a f***ing save then!
MB: I’ve been retired for 10 years.
BP: Find me someone who can make a f***ing save then!
MB: That’s Francis’ job, Bill.
SD: Can I go now?
BP: No, you sit there until you make a f***ing save!
BP storms out.
MB: We left Pittsburgh and Chicago for this shit, the f*** were we thinking?
SD: Yep, these guys suck.

 

[Svechhammer]

It all depends if that's only her attitude or if it's Darling's as well. Darling, I'd assume, at least recognizes that he's not playing well so he can't pin it all on the team.in front of him, as she has.

Regardless, he has to tell her to cut it out. This kind of public criticism by the family of a player never goes over well in a locker room. That's the kind of attitude that gets the rest of the team to hang a player out to dry as a direct result of it. She's basically saying that playing for this team is beneath Darling, and... Yeah...

If anything, you know this is going to reach the desk of Dundon. Not smart.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Cory Lavalette
@corylav
That sit down with Darling seemingly just happened. Bales called Darling to the RCI back room, and he re-emerged about six or seven minutes later.

I was close....

 

[The Stranger]

2018-19?

Unless some opportunity comes out of left field, I'd say keep Ward and Darling in place. Cam is only 33 and is performing like a middle-of-the-road starter in spite of his save%. Also, he's a known quantity and I don't think it's worth throwing our fate to the winds next season to take a risk on another backup-turned-starter experiment. Let Ward have the crease as a veteran leader to start the season, let Darling build his game as backup, and keep things stable for a while.

I'd take a LONG look at goalie coaches around the league. It's obvious that we have failed to integrate these big blocking goalies (Darling, Lack) into the gameplan. That's either a coaching failure or a scouting/GM failure. I'd want to get to the bottom of that, and see if there's something to be salvaged with Darling.

Depending on how Darling responds, I'd be talking to Colorado (Varlamov/Bernier), Philly (Elliott/Neuvirth), and Islanders (Halak/Greiss) to find out their plans for their guys going forward. I'd be keeping an eye on guys like Cal Pickard and Michael Hutchinson, who are at risk of being lost in a numbers game in their organizations despite playing very well in the AHL. And most of all, I'd be looking at guys like Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson, who are getting torched behind bad teams in impatient markets. To me, that's where you might be able to swoop in and steal a 5-year starter from some panicky GM for pennies on the dollar.

To me, the next 12 months are not the time to change goalies. Just hold tight, use our scouting staff to find out what cards are still in the deck, and play them accordingly.

Yes THGM, I meant 2018/19 season.

Ok...so your plan is to retain Ward. What contract do you offer him?

Keep in mind he has outperformed the guy you just gave a 4.15X4 contract....and in your own words, Ward is a middle-of-the-road starter.

What is the market value for antiquated pumpkin Cam Ward? Do you try to re-sign now or wait to FA?

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Regardless, he has to tell her to cut it out. This kind of public criticism by the family of a player never goes over well in a locker room. That's the kind of attitude that gets the rest of the team to hang a player out to dry as a direct result of it. She's basically saying that playing for this team is beneath Darling, and... Yeah...

If anything, you know this is going to reach the desk of Dundon. Not smart.

I think you're overreacting. This isn't Toronto. The tweets of a relative of a backup goaltender aren't going to be front page news, assuming our two reporters even decide to go hunting for them.

So unless Darling points them out to his teammates (which would be a whole 'nother issue), I doubt his teammates will find out.