GDT: Tampa @ Canes

[Big Daddy Cane]

I know a lot of you won't believe it until you see it, but I'm betting the Borg brings in another legit "non-depreciated" top 6 forward this summer. And re-signs Patches to add more scoring mid season.

Yeah, will is only one part of the equation here. Timing is the other part, particularly when it comes to star players. There’s evidence that they see what we see (the pursuits of Tkachuk and Meier). Team needs just haven’t come into alignment yet. I’m sure it’s just as frustrating for them as it is to us.

 

[The Faulker 27]

Honestly I’m down with pinning my hopes to another division banner. That’s anticlimactic but something not to be taken for granted in a 32 team league. After that, just take whatever playoff results as a bonus.

Also we’re acting like they’re much worse than they are. Tampa’s a 3-time finalist and it’s about to be April. They played really well.

In some number of years, we'll go to some random game when the Canes suck again (and they will), look up at that banner, and think damn that team was pretty good.

 

[tarheelhockey]

In some number of years, we'll go to some random game when the Canes suck again (and they will), look up at that banner, and think damn that team was pretty good.

That, followed by “man I wish I could go back to the early 20s and enjoy it more…”

 

[The Faulker 27]

That, followed by “man I wish I could go back to the early 20s and enjoy it more…”

"If only I had stuck with that Rage Against the Machine cover band idea instead of getting married..."

 

[Sigurd]

The only bright spot from tonight's game was Drury. He had some good 5v5 scoring opportunities, and on a power play on the 2nd unit (his line's shift started with only about 30 seconds left after PP1 flopped).

Which brings me to my next point, with Noesen being injured (as if we needed yet another injury), Drury not only needs to be moved up to the top 9 (preferably top 6 IMO), he SHOULD given the worse alternative options. Do we really want to move Poolparty above the 4th line after his last game? Or Stepan? Or Stastny? Drury is the best offensive player right now out of that bunch, and we need goals more than ever down so many forwards.

Finally, I was excited to see Burns and Ghost together for the first time on a non-5v3 PP, but because Aho lost the faceoff, Tampa got the puck out of their zone, and Carolina struggled to get it back in the offensive zone; something that happens way too often on our powerplays with habitual zone entry woes. The team somehow had a 52% faceoff win at the end of the game, but for a long stretch, they kept losing faceoffs.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Lust?

YES.

 

[Sigurd]

If the arena wants to honor a real hero like a teacher or EMS or firefighter then I will applaud. It is 90% military or police blowhards.

At least with police as "blowhards," I can understand with many public cases of excessive force, racial discrimination, corruption, etc. Law enforcement is hardly popular in recent years (even though their main purpose is truly essential).

The military though? Really? We wouldn't have a country if it weren't for them. Some people like to shit on the military, but deterrence keeps the peace. Don't believe me? Look at the US Navy with enforcing the freedom of navigation in international waters, etc. where most global trade takes place.

Also, let's not pretend teachers are all excellent, and are angels. There's a lot of bad teachers out there. Frankly, there's bad people in every profession because not everybody is a good person, and or are good at their job.

 

[FlyingSquirrels]

dare I say losing Noesen would be a bigger blow than losing Svech? Yes I will.
We were screwed anyways, but if he's out long term, it's a wrap.

 

[chaz4hockey]

The only bright spot from tonight's game was Drury. He had some good 5v5 scoring opportunities, and on a power play on the 2nd unit (his line's shift started with only about 30 seconds left after PP1 flopped).

Which brings me to my next point, with Noesen being injured (as if we needed yet another injury), Drury not only needs to be moved up to the top 9 (preferably top 6 IMO), he SHOULD given the worse alternative options. Do we really want to move Poolparty above the 4th line after his last game? Or Stepan? Or Stastny? Drury is the best offensive player right now out of that bunch, and we need goals more than ever down so many forwards.

Finally, I was excited to see Burns and Ghost together for the first time on a non-5v3 PP, but because Aho lost the faceoff, Tampa got the puck out of their zone, and Carolina struggled to get it back in the offensive zone; something that happens way too often on our powerplays with habitual zone entry woes. The team somehow had a 52% faceoff win at the end of the game, but for a long stretch, they kept losing faceoffs.

Drury has played pretty good last couple of games so worth a shot. Pool party was on the ice for pre game warmups so either coaching decision or he is one of the banged up guys that rod mentioned after Boston game.

With Noesen perhaps toast I’d like to see an agitator like Rees be called up. We need some of that plus the Stastny-Stephan combo is simply horse bleep.

FWIW: it’s been mentioned a bit here but the front office gets a C- on off season moves.

Burns is an A, Martinook a B but all the others are Fs-Kase, Stephan-Stastny-Coghlan-Bear-Patches and of course the trade deadline was meh too.

 

[Sigurd]

Drury has played pretty good last couple of games so worth a shot. Pool party was on the ice for pre game warmups so either coaching decision or he is one of the banged up guys that rod mentioned after Boston game.

With Noesen perhaps toast I’d like to see an agitator like Rees be called up. We need some of that plus the Stastny-Stephan combo is simply horse bleep.

FWIW: it’s been mentioned a bit here but the front office gets a C- on off season moves.

Burns is an A, Martinook a B but all the others are Fs-Kase, Stephan-Stastny-Coghlan-Bear and of course the trade deadline was meh too.

Speaking of moves, this summer, given the lack of great forwards available (particularly in free agency), I hope we sign Zucker to a respectable contract for his goal scoring and for the ton of hits he makes, and then trade for Hart to have a good long term option as a goalie to replace Andersen (who is injury prone like Rantaa), and possibly signing Rantaa to a cheap 1-2 year extension to have 3 goalies with Pyotr (especially given our injury luck). Trading for a good forward this summer would be nice, but I'm not expecting a high impact/top 6 forward; sadly.

Re-sign Pacioretty to an appropriate contract given his long term injury.

Then come next year's deadline (also after Patches and Svech are back), is when I hope some good trade options become available. However, given our organization's recent comments after this year's deadline, they believe rosters are made in the offseason and not at the deadline. So, maybe they do try for a big forward trade this summer?

 

[Borsig]

Next man up hur dur

 

[3CanesInTheBox]

I’m with a lot of others. Before the trade deadline and injuries etc I thought this might be their year to win it all. Of course that still might happen, but the task seems so daunting.

That being said, if they can win the division, I don’t think it’s a long stretch at all to make the ECF. Then who knows.

We’ll see.

ETA: At the risk of being Sally Sunshine, this has still been a very enjoyable season for me and rooting for a likable team that has been in the mix for five consecutive seasons…? I can’t think of any other team I root for that has surpassed that recently.

So yeah it sucks that it looks like we won’t win a Cup, but could be a lot worse. Just my two cents.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I’m with a lot of others. Before the trade deadline and injuries etc I thought this might be their year to win it all. Of course that still might happen, but the task seems so daunting.

That being said, if they can win the division, I don’t think it’s a long stretch at all to make the ECF. Then who knows.

We’ll see.

ETA: At the risk of being Sally Sunshine, this has still been a very enjoyable season for me and rooting for a likable team that has been in the mix for five consecutive seasons…? I can’t think of any other team I root for that has surpassed that recently.

So yeah it sucks that it looks like we won’t win a Cup, but could be a lot worse. Just my two cents.

The thing I'm happy about is how well built we are for sustained success. We're not like Florida the last few years who went all in knowing it wouldn't last. Yes our opportunity to win it all this year has taken a big hit due to injuries and some other teams in the East loading up, but we're not going anywhere and will likely still be among the top several favorites to win it all the next 2-3+ years, potentially longer depending on how our front office does with re-signings, additions and how our young players and prospects progress.

 

[Borsig]

I question whether pytor is ready.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

1 long run in 5-7 meaningful cracks at it would be a good outcome historically speaking. I don’t see dynastic talent here tbh. That tempers disappointment. There’s time still.

 

[Daeavorn]

I have to say if 18-19 is the only run at the ECF we get in the brindy era ill be dissapointed. I just want to get there and have a chance at winning.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I never thought this team could win the Cup. Just statistically, it’s extremely unlikely for it to happen, and the major issues that prevented us from advancing in past years (goaltending and the powerplay) were never really addressed in a significant way. So I was expecting a playoff run, but the length of which depended on who we faced and how we were playing.

So these past few games have been a real disappointment, because we’ve had maybe 2 good periods out of the past 12? And if this is how we’re going to perform against other playoff teams, there’s no reason to believe they’ll find any more success a few weeks from now.

Which really sucks, because my income is currently based on how far they’ll go. I’m guaranteed to be working the entire first round, so a 7-game series is best for my bank account. And though the 2nd round onward are all national games, they’re more likely to use good operators that are familiar with the team. So the Canes advancing ups my odds for national.

So yeah, if they could get their shit together before the end of the regular season, I’d appreciate it.

 

[Svechhammer]

The thing I'm happy about is how well built we are for sustained success. We're not like Florida the last few years who went all in knowing it wouldn't last. Yes our opportunity to win it all this year has taken a big hit due to injuries and some other teams in the East loading up, but we're not going anywhere and will likely still be among the top several favorites to win it all the next 2-3+ years, potentially longer depending on how our front office does with re-signings, additions and how our young players and prospects progress.

I agree that we are very well positioned for long term success. However, I do think we have an opportunity now to use some picks and prospects that we know are unlikely to see the ice in the NHL with us, but could elsewhere, to flip them to a rebuilding team for a major upgrade up front, even if that means moving out a current roster piece for said upgrade. And we are in a position where we should be able to make this kind of move without disrupting our ability to contend over the next 5+ years while pushing us closer to a title now. And I wonder if we'll look back on this era as a missed opportunity if we don't make a move and eventually see us allow all those blocked prospects to just move on without any compensation.

 

[AD Skinner]

In like 2014 if you told me the canes would make the playoffs 5 years in a row I would’ve been ecstatic, no matter what those actual playoff results might have been

 

[Sigurd]

I question whether pytor is ready.

Yeah, if we let Andersen go, I'm not sure if Pyotr is ready for such a heavy load of games in the NHL yet. Especially if the guys in front of him are weak/MIA defensively as they have been lately a few times.

Another reason why I think trading for Hart makes sense, is I don't think Andersen and Rantaa can be relied on for a significant amount of games for many more years given they're both injury prone, and are in their 30s already. Two years in a row for us, Andersen has missed a rather significant amount of time, and last year it included the playoffs.

With Hart, you get arguably the best goalie we've had in several years (with last year's Andersen when he was healthy as the only possible exception; he was having a Vezina performance until he got injured), and who is also only 24 years old. The only two questions of concern are, (1) how much will Philly ask for him given he's one of the few good trade assets they have and they're rebuilding, and (2) will the trade cost prevent Carolina from getting a good top 6 forward in a separate trade?

Carolina should 100% be interested in Hart though. There's not many good long-term starting goalies that become available in the NHL, and even less so for guys that aren't even in their late 20s yet.

 

[LakeLivin]

I agree that we are very well positioned for long term success. However, I do think we have an opportunity now to use some picks and prospects that we know are unlikely to see the ice in the NHL with us, but could elsewhere, to flip them to a rebuilding team for a major upgrade up front, even if that means moving out a current roster piece for said upgrade. And we are in a position where we should be able to make this kind of move without disrupting our ability to contend over the next 5+ years while pushing us closer to a title now. And I wonder if we'll look back on this era as a missed opportunity if we don't make a move and eventually see us allow all those blocked prospects to just move on without any compensation.

I'll be very surprised it the Borg doesn't do exactly this in the off season. I've even wagered a good chunk of my sportsbook cash on it, and we all know what sportsbook cash means . . . uh wait, does anyone know what sportsbook cash means?

 

[Chrispy]

Yeah, if we let Andersen go, I'm not sure if Pyotr is ready for such a heavy load of games in the NHL yet. Especially if the guys in front of him are weak/MIA defensively as they have been lately a few times.

Another reason why I think trading for Hart makes sense, is I don't think Andersen and Rantaa can be relied on for a significant amount of games for many more years given they're both injury prone, and are in their 30s already. Two years in a row for us, Andersen has missed a rather significant amount of time, and last year it included the playoffs.

With Hart, you get arguably the best goalie we've had in several years (with last year's Andersen when he was healthy as the only possible exception; he was having a Vezina performance until he got injured), and who is also only 24 years old. The only two questions of concern are, (1) how much will Philly ask for him given he's one of the few good trade assets they have and they're rebuilding, and (2) will the trade cost prevent Carolina from getting a good top 6 forward in a separate trade?

Carolina should 100% be interested in Hart though. There's not many good long-term starting goalies that become available in the NHL, and even less so for guys that aren't even in their late 20s yet.

In terms of trade cost, what is the thought if Philadelphia wants Kochetkov back as part of a Hart deal?

Only having one season of Hart signed before he is RFA is concerning, but they could lock him up long-term if they want. But Kochetkov for 4 years at $2M AAV seems like a great deal for a developing goalie.

 

[Svechhammer]

In terms of trade cost, what is the thought if Philadelphia wants Kochetkov back as part of a Hart deal?

Only having one season of Hart signed before he is RFA is concerning, but they could lock him up long-term if they want. But Kochetkov for 4 years at $2M AAV seems like a great deal for a developing goalie.

I like Hart, I think he has a ton of potential. But I don't think he's a sure thing, and would by no means be willing to part with Kooch for him. Have a feeling that would end up similarly to the Flyers getting rid of Bobrovsky just do they can get Bryzgalov.

 

[Rick Davis]

I’m super conflicted by this team. Part of me thinks I should be Uber grateful for supporting a 100+ point team, especially after suffering through the 10 year Dark Ages like so many here did. But the other part of me is frustrated by the repeated failures to address the key areas that would enable this already good team to reach the next level of greatness, such as goaltending, power play, and team physicality. I look at the roster of this team and compare it to those of the Bruins, NYR, Bolts, and Avs and literally see no hope of seriously challenging those teams in a 7 game series. Are we a victim of our own recent regular season success, thus guaranteeing that we have no shot at nabbing that truly generational talent that would put us over the top?

 

[Stickpucker]

I’m super conflicted by this team. Part of me thinks I should be Uber grateful for supporting a 100+ point team, especially after suffering through the 10 year Dark Ages like so many here did. But the other part of me is frustrated by the repeated failures to address the key areas that would enable this already good team to reach the next level of greatness, such as goaltending, power play, and team physicality. I look at the roster of this team and compare it to those of the Bruins, NYR, Bolts, and Avs and literally see no hope of seriously challenging those teams in a 7 game series. Are we a victim of our own recent regular season success, thus guaranteeing that we have no shot at nabbing that truly generational talent that would put us over the top?

I see us as a very good team. A lot like the Bruins who were competing for a decade and then hit on Marchand and Pasternak.

We need to keep building and find another Aho, Point, Kucherov, Datsyuk, or Zetterburg. We're not getting a McDavid, Crosby, or Ovechkin which is why we need to keep drafting more high ceiling guys.