GDT: "All we need is just a little..." Devils @ Hurricanes - 3/21

[Anton Dubinchuk]

The Facebook page seems to have a lot more whining and over the top reactions compared to this board, some of them don't even know what they're talking about. I had to explain why picking up Komisarek would be a mistake, people already giving up on this team calling them garbage, saying Pitkanen blows and don't even get me started on the Larose lovers cult.

 

[Datsyuk Prospect]

Yeah I said it.

 

[Brock Anton]

i do

i hate them

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

Simmer down you people

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Chip reports the team had a bag skate this morning.

Chip Alexander ‏@ice_chip 2h

Muller on today's practice: "We had a good, hard work. A good-fashioned bag skate. I think the message was clear."

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Good.

 

[Roboturner913]

My only question is, why wait until today? Should've done it last night.

 

[Mr America]

Are all bag skates created equal?

 

[garnetpalmetto]

My only question is, why wait until today? Should've done it last night.

According to Chip, they had "an extended postgame session" last night - not quite sure what that means (aside from maybe some profanity-laced invective from Muller)

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

Bag skate and berate this team and fully half probably left the rink and headed straight to counseling including at least 2 who speed-dialed the Finnish consulate on the way.

 

[tarheelhockey]

According to Chip, they had "an extended postgame session" last night - not quite sure what that means (aside from maybe some profanity-laced invective from Muller)

If indeed Muller told them specifically to put pucks on Brodeur, then what he saw on the ice during the 2nd and 3rd was probably enough to push him into "let me remind you who's in charge here" mode.

 

[Razputyn]

Yeaaaah, I'm gonna leave this board for a while.*

Just not enjoying coming here.

*Who am I kidding, I enjoy listening to you guys. But it really is hard to stomach all the outsized upset over a rough stretch of hockey. This is, at its core, a good hockey team. Make some changes and shake them up, but don't break them up.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Yeaaaah, I'm gonna leave this board for a while.*

Just not enjoying coming here.

*Who am I kidding, I enjoy listening to you guys. But it really is hard to stomach all the outsized upset over a rough stretch of hockey. This is, at its core, a good hockey team. Make some changes and shake them up, but don't break them up.

I think most of that outsized upset comes from two distinct camps:

1) Fans who are legitimately distressed who are getting a little tired of not making the layoffs and in a fit of pique are looking to assign the blame to somebody, anybody - as long as it's not their favorite player/coach/prospect.

2) People who may not even actually be fans who come up with the most outrageous statements possible just to stir the pot and get a reaction out of people for their own amusement.

I think the testiness around here stems from a lot of Type #1 being upset that this team isn't playing to its potential and having an array of favorite/non-favorite players/coaches/prospects to cast the blame on/defend from any and all blame as well as the Type #2s trying to goad us into more and greater overreactions. There's a good reason I've placed several of the Type 2s on ignore these days.

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

I think most of that outsized upset comes from two distinct camps:

1) Fans who are legitimately distressed who are getting a little tired of not making the layoffs and in a fit of pique are looking to assign the blame to somebody, anybody - as long as it's not their favorite player/coach/prospect.

2) People who may not even actually be fans who come up with the most outrageous statements possible just to stir the pot and get a reaction out of people for their own amusement.

I think the testiness around here stems from a lot of Type #1 being upset that this team isn't playing to its potential and having an array of favorite/non-favorite players/coaches/prospects to cast the blame on/defend from any and all blame as well as the Type #2s trying to goad us into more and greater overreactions. There's a good reason I've placed several of the Type 2s on ignore these days.

Hey you forgot Type #3s who only come on here when we're pretty wasted and things get lost in translation when we can't be asked or bother or remember to put all the little s, and s, and s and s and other fancy internet stuff in, so it is possible that a post or posts written in a haze of alcohol-induced geniality and good cheer may be mis-interpreted by sober people as a show of testiness.

But hey, if you don't get that, it's your problem pal

 

[Roboturner913]

This is, at its core, a good hockey team. Make some changes and shake them up, but don't break them up.

Good collection of talent, yes. A good team? Not entirely sure of that. They don't seem to me like a group that will fight for each other when the chips are down. That doesn't mean blow up the whole team, but I think if JR wants to build a playoff team some tough choices will need to be made. I really think just one Brendan Morrow or Max Talbot could make a huge difference.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Hey you forgot Type #3s who only come on here when we're pretty wasted and things get lost in translation when we can't be asked or bother or remember to put all the little s, and s, and s and s and other fancy internet stuff in, so it is possible that a post or posts written in a haze of alcohol-induced geniality and good cheer may be mis-interpreted by sober people as a show of testiness.

But hey, if you don't get that, it's your problem pal

You trying to make something out of this bucco? Why I oughta!

No I honestly did forget the Type 3s. Duly noted.

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

You trying to make something out of this bucco? Why I oughta!

No I honestly did forget the Type 3s. Duly noted.

Well OK then dammit cheers mate

 

[TheBigKahuna]

I do not, at all, see Muller as a fire and brimstone kind of guy, even behind closed doors. I highly doubt he burned anyone with foul language and screaming. Doesn't sound like his "bag skate" was all that either, as supposedly several players, including both Staals, coasted through the entire thing.

Muller comes off as a peaceful hippie type with a decent haircut, and looks stoned out of his gourd in his interviews with Chantel.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

I do not, at all, see Muller as a fire and brimstone kind of guy, even behind closed doors. I highly doubt he burned anyone with foul language and screaming. Doesn't sound like his "bag skate" was all that either, as supposedly several players, including both Staals, coasted through the entire thing.

Muller comes off as a peaceful hippie type with a decent haircut, and looks stoned out of his gourd in his interviews with Chantel.

Supposedly? Do tell...

As for Muller, I can see him being fiery. He played with a great bit of intensity during his career too. I know that MacLean can get really hot too. I don't think there's a shortage of anger with those two.

 

[StormCast]

Supposedly? Do tell...

As for Muller, I can see him being fiery. He played with a great bit of intensity during his career too. I know that MacLean can get really hot too. I don't think there's a shortage of anger with those two.

That was my initial reaction too. He is kind of goofy and awkward in interviews but I have little doubt he can peel paint in the room.

As for the types of posters here, I think there's more than just 3 categories. Maybe it's time to set up a special thread for actual hockey discussions, but it'd probably be used by only a handful.

 

[PaulProteus]

I do not, at all, see Muller as a fire and brimstone kind of guy, even behind closed doors. I highly doubt he burned anyone with foul language and screaming. Doesn't sound like his "bag skate" was all that either, as supposedly several players, including both Staals, coasted through the entire thing.

Muller comes off as a peaceful hippie type with a decent haircut, and looks stoned out of his gourd in his interviews with Chantel.

Who says anyone coasted through the bag skate? I'd thoroughly question whether or not they actually watched it, because I did. I often take my lunch and hit RCI when they're there, and lemme tell you, there was no one coasting or dawdling through yesterday's skate.

They skated until they were blue in the face. They didn't like it very much. There was no chirping or laughing or jokes, and even LaRose ****. Whenever someone would forget where to go or what to do, they were corrected.

Toward the end of the practice, when everyone was pretty gassed and starting to look pretty pissed off, they started doing some 3 on 3 in front of Peters. It reminded me of the skate last season where Dwyer and Skinner had a scrap in the corner, except it seemed like everyone had a little edge to them.

Harrison landed a good kidney shot on Pitkanen about five seconds after a whistle, and they had about a five second staredown. Gleason took a puck to the lower body and must have broken his stick as well, so he finished the job on the stick with what was basically an over-head, two-handed axe smash on the ice. EStaal absolutely BLEW UP someone in a white sweater behind the net (I couldn't see who it was). I mean, Mr. White Sweater got body slammed. You don't often see that at RCI at this time of season.

At the conclusion of practice, Muller told the huddle to take a few days and get some rest and enjoy spending time with family. He also told them they'd return with focus and energy.

I'm not "Mr. Lemme Break Down What's RILLY Going On," but whoever says that players were coasting either wasn't there or just wants to put forth an imaginary narrative.

 

[rocky7]

What is transpiring is normal in sport. What the fans are privy to is this - players fault for any number of reasons. Yes, there are some player problems without doubt. That said, I believe that a lot of this should be placed on Muller ultimately. By now he should have figured out the PP (maybe hire a PP specialist) and how to counter the opposing teams obviously figuring out how to nullify this team as an offensive threat. As an example. Alex Semin has been missing the net alot. This I take out as one example. To me, he and all of them are confused trying to do what Muller is telling them to do. These set plays are not working. Maybe just let them free wheel and play their game. These guys know what to do. Semin is shooting more to appease the coach even if he at any given moment would have made a different play if rushed. That moment of hesitation and mental "what should I do" given what Muller is instructing is causing confusion. Again let them just do their thing. These guys are top pros with incredible skill. Too much coaching with them IMO.. Difficult to get all my thoughts in a quick post but you get the idea.

 

[CanesAvs16]

If it makes you guys feel any better at all my mom talked to Jeff Skinner a few hours after their skate on Friday... he seemed pretty exhausted/tired

 

[caniac247]

I do not, at all, see Muller as a fire and brimstone kind of guy, even behind closed doors. I highly doubt he burned anyone with foul language and screaming. Doesn't sound like his "bag skate" was all that either, as supposedly several players, including both Staals, coasted through the entire thing.

Muller comes off as a peaceful hippie type with a decent haircut, and looks stoned out of his gourd in his interviews with Chantel.

I thought that as well until I heard Forslund on the aftermath one night. He pretty much said that what we see when he meets the media always seeming like mr nice happy guy is not what the boys see in the locker room when he's pissed. Sounds like the guy can get pretty vocal and will let it be known. He just doesn't want to sound pissed/angry when facing the media.

 

[DaleCooper]

That is his reputation as a player as well.