Hurricanes Off Season Thread: When Tlusty doesn't score 40, who will be to blame?

[tarheelhockey]

Perhaps in the sense of point production, you may have a point there. But in regards to doing their job I feel like all of those players listed were capable of making a first pass out of the zone that started the offense going. They weren't traditional point producers, but they could move the puck. I think offense from the defense is one of the more overrated institutions in hockey. Really, all you need are defenders that are competent enough with the puck to hold the zone and allow your forwards to play confidently when the puck is on your tape and you're fine. They don't have to be Erik Karlsson, they just have to be confident.

One thing that was abundantly clear as the season wore on: our defensemen didn't have a clue where to pass the puck during breakouts. It was absolutely infuriating to watch them stand behind the net, examine the forecheck, make 2 or 3 abortive attempts to step out on a rush, and then finally fire the puck directly to an opponent standing still in the neutral zone.

That's to say nothing of guys like Sanguinetti and McBain making confident pinches that resulted in goals going the other way. The times they seemed most confident, were usually the times when they were making the wrong decisions.

At this point I feel like we have a 60% talent issue and a 40% coaching/system issue. It's nuts that we are this loaded up on "puck movers" and still couldn't run a decent PP without icing a Bergeron, and still couldn't break out the puck from our goal line to the red line even WITH Bergeron.

 

[geehaad]

One thing that was abundantly clear as the season wore on: our defensemen didn't have a clue where to pass the puck during breakouts. It was absolutely infuriating to watch them stand behind the net, examine the forecheck, make 2 or 3 abortive attempts to step out on a rush, and then finally fire the puck directly to an opponent standing still in the neutral zone.

This is what my response was going to be. I can still see Nick Wallin standing behind the net for like 25 seconds this one time. That was the worst of it, but it was the general problem with that defense, no doubt. I didn't post on this board back then, but it was the commonly noted problem about the defense on the board that I frequented back then. And JR agreed, because he sought to change it. Problem is, he didn't know when to stop trying.

 

[DaveG]

1 - Maybe, Dalpe has the better chance, but Rask and McGinn will push them for it and may overtake.
2 - no, or at least if he is it won't be anything near what he's making now
3 - almost have to, someone like Eminger or Montador (after he's bought out) I can easily see, could also see making a swap with the Flyers of McBain and a pick/prospect for Coburn to give the Flyers a bit more cap room.
4 - hasn't he already been?

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

So Vanek wants out of Buffalo.

I wonder what we could offer?

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Also, I think a deal around McBain and Coburn is a very real possibility.

Especially if the Flyers are in on Vanek, as rumored.

 

[Novacane]

What has happened to Coburn? Maybe I'm misremembering things, but haven't Philly fans been disappointed with him. I would still be happy to acquire him just haven't paid great attention to him this season.

EDIT: Someone tells me it was a consistency issue when he was forced to be a #1 this season. That makes sense given his play style.

 

[Vagrant]

So Vanek wants out of Buffalo.

I wonder what we could offer?

The only way we'd have a shot at Vanek is if the front office is as bipolar on Skinner as these boards. They could use a guy locked up to an extension since they seem to have trouble getting them on their own.

 

[Joe McGrath]

A second line of Ruutu Jordan and Vanek? Oh my.

Never gonna happen for a multitude of reasons, but oh my.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

A second line of Ruutu Jordan and Vanek? Oh my.

Never gonna happen for a multitude of reasons, but oh my.

If we keep the Sweet TEA line together and use that as line 2, that'd mean we'd pretty much have to trade Skinner. There's prolly the basis of a trade there.

 

[Roboturner913]

So Vanek wants out of Buffalo.

I wonder what we could offer?

Skinner and McBain and do it before they change their minds.

I love Vanek but one year of him is not worth 5 years of Skinner. Would have to be a sign-and-trade.

 

[Joe McGrath]

If we keep the Sweet TEA line together and use that as line 2, that'd mean we'd pretty much have to trade Skinner. There's prolly the basis of a trade there.

An undersized, complaining, diver on the Sabres? Surely you jest.

 

[tomdundo]

Skinner and McBain and do it before they change their minds.

I proposed Skinner + McBain + 2nd to my friend. He took it and ran.

But that was only if we had confirmation that Vanek would re-sign here before making the trade, for a slight pay cut compared to what he currently makes.

 

[Ole Gil]

The positive takeaway from this year should be:

When mostly healthy, this was a top 4 team in the East.

Why would anyone care how hard the AHL scrubs played at the end of the season?

 

[garnetpalmetto]

You forgot the glaring and most obvious reason - the songs the players select for warmups!

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Speaking of AHL scrubs, what are the chances that Jared Staal is a mainstay in our bottom six next year?

PROS:
--He's no worse than LaRose, Westgarth or Bowman.
--He makes around 600k next year, a third of what LaRose makes.
--He's big, which is what Muller wants.

CONS:
--He's no better than LaRose.
--That assesment is based on two NHL games.
--If he makes it, complaints of nepotism and "Oh, won't someone think about the AHL ginders!!!1" will be non stop.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Speaking of AHL scrubs, what are the chances that Jared Staal is a mainstay in our bottom six next year?

PROS:
--He's no worse than LaRose, Westgarth or Bowman.
--He makes around 600k next year, a third of what LaRose makes.
--He's big, which is what Muller wants.

CONS:
--He's no better than LaRose.
--That assesment is based on two NHL games.
--If he makes it, complaints of nepotism and "Oh, won't someone think about the AHL grinders!!!1" will be non stop.
--If he makes it, complaints of nameplatism and "How can we tell Jared from Jordan if both are J. Staal!!!1" will be non stop

FTFY

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

FTFY

"Carolina Hurricanes goal scored by J.... STAAALLL!!! <dah dah dah duh daaaah!!>"

"Assisted by..ugh...J....STAAAAL!!!!! <dah dah DAHHHH duh DAHHH>"

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

"Carolina Hurricanes goal scored by J.... STAAALLL!!! <dah dah dah duh daaaah!!>"

"Assisted by..ugh...J....STAAAAL!!!!! <dah dah DAHHHH duh DAHHH>"

With Jared's 7 points in 52 AHL games, I don't think you have to worry too much about Jared's name getting announced for scoring if he happens to be on the NHL roster.

 

[StormCast]

If we keep the Sweet TEA line together and use that as line 2, that'd mean we'd pretty much have to trade Skinner. There's prolly the basis of a trade there.

First off, Vanek is a pipe dream and a near fiscal impossibility given the D needs. G/G was in the top half (almost in the middle) while GA/G was 2nd to last. That's a pretty good indicator of where the priorities needs to be, especially when factor in the abysmal specialty teams.

Secondly, the late season audition of Skinner as 3C demonstrates the willingness to play him, assuming he can be effective, to get better scoring balance.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

I have a serious question (forgive me for derailing the thread). I know it's become a bit of a meme around here, but does anyone actually think that Tlusty even has a shot at 40 goals next season?

I for one am pleased with his season and I don't think a 25-25-50 season from him next year is an unreasonable expectation, but I'm wondering if anyone here has actually said that they expect 40.

Not to take away from the joke, I'm just wondering who it was...

What I reasonably expect: 25g-30 assists.
What I think he can get in a best year: 30g-35 assists.

Tlusty has an excellent shot and an above average release, and knows when to use it, when to pass and when to cycle (unlike some people, who love to aim for the shins, cough cough Skinner cough cough), so I think he has a chance to not experience a significant drop off from his 16% shooting percentage (calculated by removing his 4 empty net goals).

On the other hand, he scored 19 of his 23 goals in 9 games (or 80% production in 18% of the season). That's against playoff teams like the Rangers, Devils (when they were good in the first half), Bruins, Islanders and the Capitals, so he didn't just beat up on a weak ass division. He finished the year on an 8 point scoring streak, so I think it's fair to say that he is a streaky scorer.

It's hard to predict how a streaky scorer like Tlusty will perform from year to year.

 

[tarheelhockey]

With Jared's 7 points in 52 AHL games, I don't think you have to worry too much about Jared's name getting announced for scoring if he happens to be on the NHL roster.

He'll pick up plenty of secondary assists on the Nepotism Line.

 

[Joe McGrath]

He'll pick up plenty of secondary assists on the Nepotism Line.

After watching Kevin ****ing Westgarth score 2 goals with Staal and Tlusty I'm thinking I could put up at least a 5-5-10 line over the course of an 82 game season. Put me with Eric and Semin that shoots up to 8-8-16 when Sasha just starts banking shots and passes off my ass and skates for shots and giggles.

 

[tomdundo]

He'll pick up plenty of secondary assists on the Nepotism Line.

When did Jared Staal become Jeff Skinner?

 

[Ole Gil]

What I reasonably expect: 25g-30 assists.
What I think he can get in a best year: 30g-35 assists.

Tlusty has an excellent shot and an above average release, and knows when to use it, when to pass and when to cycle (unlike some people, who love to aim for the shins, cough cough Skinner cough cough), so I think he has a chance to not experience a significant drop off from his 16% shooting percentage (calculated by removing his 4 empty net goals).

On the other hand, he scored 19 of his 23 goals in 9 games (or 80% production in 18% of the season). That's against playoff teams like the Rangers, Devils (when they were good in the first half), Bruins, Islanders and the Capitals, so he didn't just beat up on a weak ass division. He finished the year on an 8 point scoring streak, so I think it's fair to say that he is a streaky scorer.

It's hard to predict how a streaky scorer like Tlusty will perform from year to year.

It sounds worse than it is. He scored goals in 13 of 48, which is still a 20+ goal pace even if he had 0 multi goal games.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

Chip Alexander ‏@ice_chip 6m

Rutherford notes disappointed LaRose did not come to exit meeting.

Trouble at the country club?