I hope Carrick does well in Toronto. He's been given a terrific opportunity, let's see what he does with it.
The adrenaline will be replaced by playing the best team in the league. It's not going to be an easy win
Way to go Carrick! If he hit like that every game, certainly fewer would have wanted him to ever leave. He is getting his big chance and wants to wow the coaches. Good for him.
I don'r recall anyone wanting him to leave, rather it was looking at the team's assets and what might be most attractive to other teams and which would not harm the Caps if were moved. Carrick fell into that category as there did not appear to be a path for him to play with the Caps with the likes of other PMD Carlson, Niskanen, Schmidt and Orlov. Furthermore, thought it was revealing that the Caps opted to bring up the likes of Ness and Stanton rather than Carrick when Carlson was out for 12 games.
Carrick did get into three games when Carlson was out but it was clear he wasn't composed enough defensively for their liking. Ness had passed him on the depth chart pretty clearly.
There's probably too high a standard placed on sound defensive play rather than smart crisp two-way play generally but that's where this franchise is. Whereas Toronto can afford to be very patient and developmental in giving him an extended opportunity to go through the important growing pains often needed to adapt to the league.
And even if he never scores a goal or registers an assist for the Maple Leafs in the 103 games he’s due to play for them over the rest of this season and the next, he’ll be worth every penny of his $4 million salary and his $4.5 million salary cap hit. In fact, with the void in leadership that is in that room at the moment, it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that Laich should be this team’s next captain.[/B] (Notwithstanding the Leafs signing Steven Stamkos this summer, something I don’t believe will or should happen. But that’s a rant for another day.)
My issue with Carrick was he didn't look any better in his own zone during this year than he did as a rookie. I saw zero development on the defensive side of his game. You'd have figured he would have looked at least somewhat more poised and comfortable considering all the time he's had to develop between then and now but I didn't see it.
My issue with Carrick was he didn't look any better in his own zone during this year than he did as a rookie. I saw zero development on the defensive side of his game. You'd have figured he would have looked at least somewhat more poised and comfortable considering all the time he's had to develop between then and now but I didn't see it.
So they have to look for a new captain next summer?Brooksie would be an ideal C for Toronto while they rebuild. Everyone knows he's past his prime so there are no performance expectations. He's charming and quotable for the media too!
So they have to look for a new captain next summer?
Pretty easy to see that Ken is trying to talk himself into his point. It's completely wrong, but that's why The Hockey News doesn't get my subscription money anymore. If they didn't have The Forecaster's player profiles, they'd be a funeral pyre.
What are you referring to? Thought you meant the article linked above, but it's by LeBrun at ESPN? Can you link/share?
This is a nice prelude to the annual best summer of my life article due out in about 4 and a half months.
Brooksie would be an ideal C for Toronto while they rebuild. Everyone knows he's past his prime so there are no performance expectations. He's charming and quotable for the media too!