News and Notes XXII: Now With More Finnish!

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The Faulker 27

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I don't think it's going to be a tough sell to keep Ward. His family his kids doctors his vineyard is all around here. Not that I think he'd turn down a great offer if it came but I think he'd almost rather retire than play anywhere else for more than short term

I believe his Vineyard is actually in Napa Valley, CA, but I agree with your overall point. He and Tim are basically the capital, but day to day is managed by other folks.
 

Blueline Bomber

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I doubt the fanbase factors into the decision at all.

I dunno. I'm sure he's not affected by the idiots on Twitter/Facebook who attempt to troll, but if there are articles calling for his departure, or if his son's classmates decide to start shit-talking his dad (IIRC, he's about the age that kids become really cruel and unfiltered), I can't imagine that's not going to have an effect.
 

tarheelhockey

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I dunno. I'm sure he's not affected by the idiots on Twitter/Facebook who attempt to troll, but if there are articles calling for his departure, or if his son's classmates decide to start ****-talking his dad (IIRC, he's about the age that kids become really cruel and unfiltered), I can't imagine that's not going to have an effect.

He’s a goalie in the NHL.
 

Blueline Bomber

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Yeah, I’m not so certain those things are related.

You’re right. It’s not like goalies have ever lashed out at their fan base after being overly criticized for their poor play. Well, except for Price after Montreal fans let him have it during a down time in his career.

But it’s not like goalies care if their family members are subjected to the whims of the fanbase. Well, except for the time James Reimer’s wife was sent death threats over Twitter because of her husband’s play. But I’m sure Darling’s sister hasn’t gotten anything of the sort from our fanbase...

Just because you’re a goalie in the NHL doesn’t mean you aren’t affected by things that would effect any other human, which includes you and your family’s happiness. If you or your family aren’t happy in a city/situation (which a toxic fanbase may create), then you’re less likely to re-sign there, no?
 

MinJaBen

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You’re right. It’s not like goalies have ever lashed out at their fan base after being overly criticized for their poor play. Well, except for Price after Montreal fans let him have it during a down time in his career.

But it’s not like goalies care if their family members are subjected to the whims of the fanbase. Well, except for the time James Reimer’s wife was sent death threats over Twitter because of her husband’s play. But I’m sure Darling’s sister hasn’t gotten anything of the sort from our fanbase...

Just because you’re a goalie in the NHL doesn’t mean you aren’t affected by things that would effect any other human, which includes you and your family’s happiness. If you or your family aren’t happy in a city/situation (which a toxic fanbase may create), then you’re less likely to re-sign there, no?
It was a joke about goalies being weird.
 

NotOpie

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I'd be surprised if we don't come into training camp next season with the same 2 goalies we have this season....the biggest difference is we'll have invested a little more $$$ in the tandem. Let's face it, if we'd ridden Ward a little harder early in the season, we'd likely be a few points ahead of where we are in the standings toda....but nobody wanted to see or admit to that. My guess is that they are depending on Darling returning to the mean of his career. If not we've spent $4 + on a shitty back up.

What I wouldn't be surprised to see happen is another goalie being brought into camp and essentially taking a hybrid Jeremy Smith role. A steady hand down in Charlotte, but somebody who could move up to the big club in a back up role in a pinch. Unfortunately Smith has been pretty bad himself this season. But that doesn't belie the logic of the plan.

Ideally, IMO, we'd bring in a young guy to participate in a 3-way battle for the back up/starter role. The loser gets sent down to Charlotte. There are a couple of interesting RFAs out there as well. While I can't see us abandoning Darling quite yet, I also can't believe that they won't have a back up plan.
 

The Stranger

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Ideally, IMO, we'd bring in a young guy to participate in a 3-way battle for the back up/starter role. The loser gets sent down to Charlotte. There are a couple of interesting RFAs out there as well. While I can't see us abandoning Darling quite yet, I also can't believe that they won't have a back up plan.

Most likely scenario is Helvig gets an ELC, they'll have him, Booth, and Ned still under ELC contracts. They'll have Darling and some other G setup to be with the big club. If one of the two penciled in Gs falters, Ned would get a shot to be that 3-way battle guy.

Nedeljkovic's SV% is not great, but he' clearly outperforming Smith playing behind the same team. He's leading the AHL in wins and is carrying a starter's load. I haven't watched enough recently to have a strong conviction one way or the other, but it would seem he's primed for an opportunity.
 

tarheelhockey

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You’re right. It’s not like goalies have ever lashed out at their fan base after being overly criticized for their poor play. Well, except for Price after Montreal fans let him have it during a down time in his career.

But it’s not like goalies care if their family members are subjected to the whims of the fanbase. Well, except for the time James Reimer’s wife was sent death threats over Twitter because of her husband’s play. But I’m sure Darling’s sister hasn’t gotten anything of the sort from our fanbase...

Just because you’re a goalie in the NHL doesn’t mean you aren’t affected by things that would effect any other human, which includes you and your family’s happiness. If you or your family aren’t happy in a city/situation (which a toxic fanbase may create), then you’re less likely to re-sign there, no?

And where in the NHL do you think Cam Ward is going to sign a UFA contract where nobody will attach any expectations to his performance, nobody will react negatively to him if he flops, his school-aged kids (who are now the “new kids”) will never hear anything about their dad being a goalie for the local hockey team, and he won’t have to suffer the glaring eye of the microscope that he experiences as a member of the big market Carolina Hurricanes?

I mean for ****s sake, the man is a 12-year veteran as a #1 goalie in the National Hockey League. I think he can handle a few boos without wetting himself, especially in what is without question one of the most low-intensity markets in the league. He wouldn’t be where he is in his life if it bothered him that much.

You’re citing Montreal and Toronto as places to compare to Raleigh. Can you even imagine if Scott Darling had signed that contract to take the Leafs’ open #1 role, and then performed the way he has? With his sister chirping fans on Twitter? What would that look like right now, compared to Luke DeCock writing 1 article suggesting that he hasn’t lived up to his salary?
 

Hulkacaniac

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They will definitely keep Darling and have him take a vacation before getting him to work with a psychologist and coach. His contract is no Semin contract but it is untradeable. They're gonna hope he works it out over the summer.

What about the 4 million dollar man, Victor Rask? I feel like he merits A Serious Debate™ thread.
 

MinJaBen

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They will definitely keep Darling and have him take a vacation before getting him to work with a psychologist and coach. His contract is no Semin contract but it is untradeable. They're gonna hope he works it out over the summer.

What about the 4 million dollar man, Victor Rask? I feel like he merits A Serious Debate™ thread.

Yeah, and due to his age when he signed the contract, he could be bought out much cheaper this summer if that is the direction the team wanted to go. They won't, but it would much easier this summer than in the future.
 
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