GDT: Preseason Game 4 at Capitals

[Boom Boom Apathy]

And Caps score on the PP.

 

[tarheelhockey]

While I'm totally on board with this, even though I don't think the hit he threw warranted a suspension, now caps fans are gonna switch the narrative to "but he's not dirty, he's never even been suspended for a regular season game!"

And it's gonna be annoying as ****.

Until the first time he does something borderline. This was all about getting him on record as a repeat offender so they can drop the hammer in the regular season.

 

[BabchukCanon]

Erik Cole wasn't quite Gauthiers size, but I think he was basically that player your talking about. With him being back in the Canes org now I wonder if he could be a good mentor for Gauthier.

Keith Primeau is probably the one that I would think of.

 

[vorbis]

among the players I noticed:
good first period for Williams, Kuokkanen, Necas, Staal.

OK first period for TT, Hanifin, Slavin, Faulk, Ward.

Gauthier giving off that “needs an AHL season†vibe. just a little iffy on his skates, a little bit out of place sometimes.

McGinn a little rusty as well.

Carrick seeming like he can contribute similar level to Dahlbeck, at least by my eye test. not ready for PK yet, but he’s throwing good hits.

Kruger kinda wailed about on that play McGinn took a puck behind the ear. hope he’s ok.

Saarela needs some AHL time imo. he and Necas are making good zone entries overall.

 

[vorbis]

broader game stuff:
Canes are really possessing the puck nicely. some of the younger players are a bit off in positioning on the penalty kill. great energy, good along the boards.

refs are still calling the stick stuff Very tightly.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Rocket by Carrick, 2-1

 

[vorbis]

Carrick with a laser beam. really nice.

 

[GirouxCouturier]

If anyone could pm me a stream it would be greatly appreciated

 

[Negan4Coach]

He was practicing some stickhandling pregame and looked pretty good on that front too.

Also, the beer at the Verizon Center remains utter crap. Either ****** lager, IPA, or wheat. Nothing in between the extremes. Food is garbage too. Be thankful for what you've got at PNC. Real food and real beer. Shouldn't be that crazy a standard to meet, but...

Agreed. The only time I have ever been to Verizon center was 2 weeks ago when I happened to be working up there and saw that Depeche Mode was in town. PNC arena is far better.

 

[vorbis]

most of the Caps chances in the first part of that period were due to poor decisions and puck handling by defensemen Dahlbeck, Hanifin, and Faulk.

Faulk in general had a crummy period, not quite up to speed on receiving passes, keeping the puck on his stick.

Zykov had a good period.

Ward is having a good game, getting a good mixture of shots, aggressive and poised.

Kuokkanen is probably a mid-season callup at this point. good at helping maintain calm and organized possession in the o-zone.

I don't know how much of this is the Canes being a little further along at this point in the preseason, or sluggish legs by the Caps, but Canes are really dictating pace and pressure in this game for the most part. great energy in the defensive zone, but positioning is a little spotty. Canes much better jump on loose pucks.

Necas is a very slick passer and skater. even if he goes back to Europe this season, they won't be able to keep him off the team next fall barring injury.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

It's Faulk's first game, Slavin sucked in his too

 

[A Star is Burns]

Nice shot by Gauthier

 

[vorbis]

Gauthier snapshot!

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Happy to see Carrick get a goal. Hoping he can find a role with this team, even if it's as 6/7 guy.

 

[cptjeff]

Goat looked great on that goal. There may not be room for him this season, but I bet he gets a callup or two.

Also, Necas has looked like an NHLer.

 

[vorbis]

yeah, Caps aren’t sharp at all right now. I don’t think Canes can expect to have this much success with dump+chase on a regular basis.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Necas really has looked very capable. I can see why the coaches have been high on him thus far. I'm more than okay if he goes back home for this season, but I'm not one of the people that's going to freak out if he makes the team.

 

[vorbis]

there’s a natural aggressiveness to Necas’ game. that, combined with him having such good puck control and skating, and he’s more prepared for the NHL game than the average 18yo.

seems like it really comes down to how he can handle an 82 game grind. no idea how you quantify that.

 

[vorbis]

Faulk with the ENG.

good preseason game. Canes have "NHLer at some point" prospects coming out of their ears.

 

[Novacane]

Gotta say our new jerseys look amazing in action. Love the stripes on the bottom and the black portions don't stick out to me as much which I feared they would in a bad way

 

[NotOpie]

Gauthier, Necas and Carrick all said, "...look at me" tonight.

 

[CandyCanes]

I'm thinking Carrick is gonna make the team out of camp, especially with his waiver eligibility.

 

[The Faulker 27]

Did the Hurricanes bust a cap tonight? I didn't watch. Just saw the score. Carrick, and Gauthier. eh.

 

[Roboturner913]

Carrick is an NHLer right now. I don't see any reason he shouldn't be at least the 7th d-man and, handedness aside, I'm honestly starting to wonder if he's not better than TVR.

 

[bleedgreen]

Carrick's biggest issue still seems to be his skating. His transitions are pretty rough and it leaves him a step behind positionally at times. Not the most poised with the puck deep in his end but he plays a physical game and has that bomb of a shot.

I don't think he's a threat at all to TVR. TVR has decent wheels and is smoother all around.

Necas dances on the ice, and made good decisions with the puck. Caps looked to light him up a couple of times but the kid had his head up and used his agility to avoid the contact. I'd like him not to stay but I can see the allure. He has something potentially special going on.