GDT: League of Justice @ Cowardly Smurfs, 7PM EST

[Surrounded By Ahos]

I can't help but wonder if Barasso bolting to Russia is hurting Ward at all. I think he started playing really well right after Barasso was brought in.

I'm not too concerned about this loss. I think everyone can agree that the better team won. And Ward may not have won the game, but hopefully he'll be able to shake off the rust quickly, and if not, Ellis should be able to give him extra motivation. It's not like this defense is going to help him post any 14 save shutouts.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Yeah, this loss was obvious from before the puck drop.

1. Nationally televised game
2. A chance to go above .500
3. Tied late in the game
4. Multiple PP chances
5. Against the Bruins

Knowing the history of the Canes, which one gives you confidence in a victory?

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

A few of the players seemed intimidated by the Bruins to me. Semin was timid much of the game and was hesitant to engage on many occasions. Granted, a physical game is not his thing and he had some nice plays, but he was very quick to get rid of the puck (often to nobody) and hurt the flow a lot. Dalpe was invisible out there as well. Other than Bowman, the entire bottom six was pretty ineffective. I know Muller over played line 1 and 2 in that game, but given how the other lines were playing, he didn't have much of a choice.

The forwards who skated with some confidence and weren't afraid to play their game were Skinner, E. Staal, and Bowman especially...Tlusty and J. Staal as well. Even though he was getting involved physically, I thought J. Staal had more errors than I have seen in the past (losing the puck, bad passes, poor defensive plays). It may have been fatigue because of not being in game shape yet. Physical games like this take a big toll on a player and it showed with the whole team in the 3rd.

That said, the Bruins are a tough, physical team that is hard to play against. They forecheck hard and really clog the neutral zone and then when you get past that, you have to face Chara. It will be interesting to see how the team plays against Boston later in the season after they've had a chance to gel more and some of the young guys gain a bit more confidence.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Jamie McBain is entering Joe Corvo level of horribleness.

I wouldn't quite go there. Based on some previous comments about McBain, I paid closer attention to him this game, especially away from the puck. He has a much higher hockey IQ than Corvo, and for the most part, was in the right positions or reacted to Joni's wandering by covering the right spot. Corvo wouldn't do that. IMO, he also has the best offensive instincts of the defensemen. By that, I mean he really knows when to jump into the play offensively and get a scoring chance and when to hang back. He does this very well IMO and the goal he scored tonight is an example of that. He's also good at walking the line and getting off a shot or pass (vs. just blasting it). His passes are usually pretty good and much better than Corvo's as well.

On the negative, his skating and strength looked pretty bad to me and he's not very strong on his skates. Not sure who it was, but someone on a GDT a few days ago said he looked like dog **** (or something like that) and I can see why. In fairness, this was against a pretty big and tough team, but he was not able to win a lot of puck battles and was knocked down quite a bit even when it wasn't a physical play and just wasn't strong on his skates. While they didn't lead to goals, he struggled a lot to try and get the puck out of the zone. I am guessing that is why he was a healthy scratch at the start of the last two seasons as in training camp, things like condition, strength etc.. might show up more than hockey IQ/offensive instincts in camp (especially a short camp).

I really think that if McBain would work on his strength and skating that he could be a solid top 4 defenseman. IMO, He's got the talent and the IQ to do that

 

[DaveG]

Honestly with McBain it just comes down to strength and maybe offseason conditioning. No clue how hard or lax he trains in the offseason, but he has been the #7 after camp two seasons in a row now and I don't take that as a great sign, especially this year when his competition was Corvo and Sangs instead of Faulk, Kaberle, and Joslin. If he could add about 10 or maybe even just 5 more pounds of muscle, especially lower body and/or core, to his frame he could be an absolute beast of a #3/4 dman. You can see that he knows what to do positionally most of the time, that he makes good reads on jumping up into the play offensively, and that he can very effectively use his stick defensively and is rather active with it in that regard. Adding that extra bit of muscle would help him be more effective in his own zone against bigger opponents, and let's face it Boston's probably the biggest in the league.

 

[Identity404]

I wouldn't quite go there. Based on some previous comments about McBain, I paid closer attention to him this game, especially away from the puck. He has a much higher hockey IQ than Corvo, and for the most part, was in the right positions or reacted to Joni's wandering by covering the right spot. Corvo wouldn't do that. IMO, he also has the best offensive instincts of the defensemen. By that, I mean he really knows when to jump into the play offensively and get a scoring chance and when to hang back. He does this very well IMO and the goal he scored tonight is an example of that. He's also good at walking the line and getting off a shot or pass (vs. just blasting it). His passes are usually pretty good and much better than Corvo's as well.

On the negative, his skating and strength looked pretty bad to me and he's not very strong on his skates. Not sure who it was, but someone on a GDT a few days ago said he looked like dog **** (or something like that) and I can see why. In fairness, this was against a pretty big and tough team, but he was not able to win a lot of puck battles and was knocked down quite a bit even when it wasn't a physical play and just wasn't strong on his skate. While they didn't lead to goals, he struggled a lot to try and get the puck out of the zone. I am guessing that is why he was a healthy scratch at the start of the last two seasons as in training camp, things like condition, strength etc.. might show up more than hockey IQ/offensive instincts.

I really think that if McBain would work on his strength and skating that he could be a solid top 4 defenseman. IMO, He's got the talent and the IQ to do that

I think this is a spot on evaluation of McBain. It explains why he has been so low on the depth chart to start the season the past coupe of years too. He has gotten where is is so far on pure skill and talent. He really does need to work on his strength and conditioning to reach the next level, and so far he hasn't done that. I have a source that told me he is quite party animal as well. Scratching him at the start of the past couple of the seasons is a message from the organization to wake up. If our defense wasn't so bad maybe we could actually get that message across by keeping him out longer.

 

[Joe McGrath]

I find it interesting we are discussing McBain more than Gleason who was attrocious all night long. I'm one of the biggest Gleason supporters on this board and he was just miserable last night from the start. Going from playing with Faulk to Harrison probably doesn't help, but that didn't cause him to get embarrassed by Horton and cough the puck up every time someone breathed on him. He looked like he was playing scared.

On Ward, I think someone else said it best, he looks sloppy. When he is going good he looks like he is in complete control. He made some great saves last night, but he never had the look of vintage Cam and he hasn't all season. I wanted to stay away from this because I don't want to make it seem like I'm advocating making Ellis the starter, but watching Ellis against Buffalo underscored Ward's issues to me. Ellis looked like he was in total control all night. Cam hasn't looked that way in any game this season. I've seen what Cam looks like when he is going good, he isn't right now and I don't see any way you can deny that. Saying he lost this game for the Canes is lunacy based on the keystone cops display that was Harrison and Gleason pairing. But Cam Ward who is playing at his expected level wins that game for the Hurricanes more often than not.

One more thing, does the opposing team score every time Dwyer is inserted for Dalpe for defensive purposes? Sure as hell seems that way. He changed during the whole sequence on the final goal and LaRose wound up out there, but I'm not sure when. If it was I'll timed that would be why Krejci was all by himself. Or it could be that LaRose had his head up his ass, not sure which. I did notice Skinner way out of position and doing next to nothing as his ointman found Krecji, but that whole sequence was ****ed from Harrison's weak shovel attempt to Gleason who managed an even weaker one somehow.

 

[bleedgreen]

He's never been a banger and won't ever be. He plays d with positioning an stick work, and he is much improved there. I would agree at times he IS our best offensive dman when it comes to choosing when to go, and I think he is the best all around outlet passer we have. Pitts has the most skill, but mcbain is the most consistent IMO at putting the longer ones on the tape of people in motion at the right time. He does walk the line well and shoots often and quickly. If we weren't such an offensive group already I think he'd stand out more.

I really think he had one actual big mistake and he's back to being criticized. I feel he gets a shorter leash around here than others which gets old. He belongs in the top 4, he's earned the job multiple times over despite being pushed back down.

If its because of partying it makes some sense, he does seem to be laid back. Its time to grow up if its true, because he's too good to be the seventh guy and to me he's capable of being better offensively than Faulk.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I find it interesting we are discussing McBain more than Gleason who was attrocious all night long. I'm one of the biggest Gleason supporters on this board and he was just miserable last night from the start. Going from playing with Faulk to Harrison probably doesn't help, but that didn't cause him to get embarrassed by Horton and cough the puck up every time someone breathed on him. He looked like he was playing scared.

Oh no argument there. I was commenting on McBain simply because I paid extra attention to him given the comments from last week, that's all. Gleason was terrible. And I wasn't banging on McBain, just pointing out what I observed both positives and negatives.

If it was I'll timed that would be why Krejci was all by himself. Or it could be that LaRose had his head up his ass, not sure which. I did notice Skinner way out of position and doing next to nothing as his ointman found Krecji, but that whole sequence was ****ed from Harrison's weak shovel attempt to Gleason who managed an even weaker one somehow.

That whole series was a bunch of running around and keystone cops scenario. Once they couldn't clear, they were just flat out scrambling and reacting, which is a poor spot to be in. Unfortunately, it felt like "only a matter of time" as the 3rd period wore on.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Oh no argument there. I was commenting on McBain simply because I paid extra attention to him given the comments from last week, that's all. Gleason was terrible. And I wasn't banging on McBain, just pointing out what I observed both positives and negatives.



That whole series was a bunch of running around and keystone cops scenario. Once they couldn't clear, they were just flat out scrambling and reacting, which is a poor spot to be in. Unfortunately, it felt like "only a matter of time" as the 3rd period wore on.

I think it's a rough game to judge McBain's strength because the Bruins do that to defenseman much stronger than McBain but I can also see it as magnifying the issue that's already there.

As for the Dwyer thing I have no idea if its his fault but its happened 3 times already that he's subbed for Dalpe and a goal against happens almost immediately. I think this will be evident when Tarheel updates the subjective +/- thread. It just seems like a forced combo getting the opposite result its intended to bring.

 

[CanesAvs16]

is the canes practice open to the public today?

 

[PaulProteus]

is the canes practice open to the public today?

Yes. 12 noon @ PNC.

 

[CanesAvs16]

Yes. 12 noon @ PNC.

I just saw on the canes website it says 11am?

 

[PaulProteus]

I just saw on the canes website it says 11am?

@MSmithCanes last night said that the practice today is at noon - Link.

Typically it is at 11, but after a home game they will often kick it back to noon. Generally if I'm thinking of going I'll check what Mike Smith says on Twitter and follow that over the website's schedule.

Edit - Wait, just checked the Canes website and it now says noon. It might have earlier and I didn't notice. Having a hard time this week keeping track of what day it is.

 

[CanesAvs16]

Edit - Wait, just checked the Canes website and it now says noon. It might have earlier and I didn't notice. Having a hard time this week keeping track of what day it is.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the help.... havent been to a canes practice/game this year so really excited to go!

 

[PaulProteus]

Thanks for the help.... havent been to a canes practice/game this year so really excited to go!

I enjoy it as well. I'm lucky to be close to RCI and also PNC, so I can catch most if I'm free.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I find it interesting we are discussing McBain more than Gleason who was attrocious all night long. I'm one of the biggest Gleason supporters on this board and he was just miserable last night from the start.

I just want to say that I'm a bit of a new man these days. Calmer, nicer, less of a d!ckhe@d ...

I feel like I've said all I can say regarding Gleason (since Day 1). Saying anything else would amount to beating a dead horse, and risk future success of the above mentioned self-improvements.

 

[Joe McGrath]

While the defense has been rightly maligned for being terrible, what about Jokinen and LaRose who are supposed to be not terrible and have been nothing short of worthless for 5 games?

 

[Unsustainable]

While the defense has been rightly maligned for being terrible, what about Jokinen and LaRose who are supposed to be not terrible and have been nothing short of worthless for 5 games?

Jussi should be in the top 6, but we don't have a 3C.

LaRose is where he should be

 

[tarheelhockey]

As for the Dwyer thing I have no idea if its his fault but its happened 3 times already that he's subbed for Dalpe and a goal against happens almost immediately.

Muller did a fair amount of defensive-zone subbing last night. He would have Jordan out there as a "backup" center behind Jokinen on the third line, or Harrison on for McBain. Evidently he doesn't like certain players to be on the ice for defensive zone draws, and I can't really blame him for that. But for whatever reason, Dwyer just hasn't been great defensively this year. I may be wrong but I recall him flubbing the puck a couple of times instead of clearing it cleanly.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

While the defense has been rightly maligned for being terrible, what about Jokinen and LaRose who are supposed to be not terrible and have been nothing short of worthless for 5 games?

Both have been doing exactly what they can given the icetime they're awarded. It's not like they haven't had the chances to score (I believe there was a 2-on-1 with Dalpe or Bowman and LaRose against Buffalo and LaRose had that partial break last night where he was hooked the entire way in to no call), but the offensive talent on the team is obviously in the Top 6, and those are the lines that are rightly getting the icetime/offensive zone starts.

The third line was supposed to be an offensive line to start the season, but it's obvious that with the complete lack of...anything valuable...on the 4th line, the 3rd line has become that energy line. Forecheck, get a couple chances, don't **** up until one of the two Staals hits the ice.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Jussi and Chad are -8 combined with zero points through 5 games. If that's what can be expected of them "given their ice time" then I don't really think they should playing hockey anymore. It's really evident since the other guy on their line has stood out as looking good every night this year while these two have done nothing to stand out whatsoever.

 

[My Special Purpose]

Jussi and Chad are -8 combined with zero points through 5 games. If that's what can be expected of them "given their ice time" then I don't really think they should playing hockey anymore. It's really evident since the other guy on their line has stood out as looking good every night this year while these two have done nothing to stand out whatsoever.

LOTS of passengers so far this season. Yup.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

E. Staal and Skinner have scored 9 of the teams 14 goals so far and all the other forwards combined have only 2 goals. I fully expect Staal and Skinner to score the majority of the goals for this season and it is only 5 games in and way too early to panic, but a few of the other forwards need to start putting the puck in the back of the net for this team to do well, given the inconsistent team defense and goaltending.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Jussi and Chad are -8 combined with zero points through 5 games. If that's what can be expected of them "given their ice time" then I don't really think they should playing hockey anymore. It's really evident since the other guy on their line has stood out as looking good every night this year while these two have done nothing to stand out whatsoever.

I just gave two instances of those players standing out. I understand there's the focus on the other guy on their line, because he's a new shiny toy, but it's not like he's creating those chances himself nor does it mean the rest of his line hasn't had their own chances.

Again, LaRose has been getting his own scoring chances and Jokinen's been playing the typical, silent playmaker he's been assigned to do. There's no finish on the line (as expected), but the chances are there. And like Boom Boom pointed out above, the finish isn't there for most of the forwards.

The biggest issue is the 4th line rather than the 3rd, IMO. Even in a shortened season, you can't run 3 lines an entire season, especially while putting the heavy focus on the top 6 as Muller has done.

I understand why he's done it, since our bottom 6 has been disappointing (to say the least), but if we're expecting the play from the team this early in the season is just rust, then when that rust shakes off, we need the players to still be...breathing...by the time the late season rolls around.