So I sat there and watched the team today and tried to figure out “what’s missing.” My perception - yes, the forwards lack finish, creativity, overall skill. Yes, yes they do. The addition of Necas hopefully next year, the improvement of Aho, and perhaps a few of the Charlotte players breaking into the lineup will certainly help. However, I don’t think that’s the most pressing issue.
What I saw today, and if anyone backs me up or contradicts me that’s cool, I think all of you probably watch more than me....but what I saw today was a hesitancy on the part of every single defenseman to move the puck quickly up the ice, whether it be by pass or by skating it at least to the red line. The opposing teams can choke the neutral zone because they don’t have anything to fear from the Canes’ back end. If the passes are completed, the forwards have no speed crossing the blue line. What ends up happening is the inevitable dump and chase, and while they do cause the occasional turnover, there has to be the ability to mix it up. You can’t do the same thing over and over.
And I started thinking about it more, and really, who on the defense is really skilled, really creative? No one. Faulk has his shot, Hanifin can skate it out of trouble (but his decision making? Suspect), but the rest, when pressured, have nothing that scares the other team. They all have their strengths and I do like each individual player, but as a unit i really think they’re lacking.
TL
R? I used to think trading Faulk for a game changing forward was the answer. I’m off that now. I think a change on the blue line is necessary. I don’t dislike any of them, I just don’t think this team will be able to progress without some more offense from the blue line.