• Moderators, please send me a PM if you are unable to access mod permissions. Thanks, Habsy.

GDT #1: Home Opener- Islanders versus Hurricanes

Staal, for a big man, goes down so easy.
He needs to lower his center of gravity and get his feet wider apart.
 
No shade on Ward tonight even if the GA was 5... He came up with some super stops and Sekera, Harrison, and Hainsey all got caught puck watching or so far out of position to give up a goal, I'd gripe at my beer leaguers for.
 
Gerbe, Terry, and Staal scoring and they still lose because the D spotted them 3 freebies... this does reek of last season.

Maybe their first roadie will go better.
 
About what I was expecting so not too much to add. They looked pathetic and uninspired....but we have all seen that frequently. I know it is only one game but I am comfortable with projecting that performance out over the entire season. As it was the only game in the NHL I wonder if Eichel or McDavid were watching to get a feel of their surroundings for next year :)

Also good to see Staal in mid season form. He goes through the motions with minimal effort most of game and pads his stats with a meaningless goal at the end of the game. Looks like he is healthy and ready to go this year!
 
3 problems: Tulsty, Staal, Semin
Were 2 steps slow all night. These guys just do not skate well enough to compete in today's NHL.

6 more problems:
Defense, all of them, slow and soft.
 
Hurricanes didn't get their money's worth out of #12 or #28. Sekera looked lost, was out of position, and got beat too many times.

The Isles new pickups really made that team better and a playoff contender. The lack of defensive coverage around the net really hurt the Hurricanes, again.

I was encouraged by the Hurricanes start and the way teammates took exception to Islander players taking liberties on other 'Canes. There's a lot of season left and I saw some positive changes to build on.

Jim
 
Old line was just as invisible last night as they were in preseason. And, like some kind of cartoon character, all I'm beginning to see when I do notice them is at least two assets in players and picks for each of them, and probably three for Eric.

Losing that alleged firepower might seem suicidal. But sprinkle a real top four defender or two, a third line center, and two swings at this summer's first and second rounds in the draft, and we would be a much improved team about two seasons away from making some real noise.


EDIT: Let me amend the above statement to personally exclude Semin (who I believe belongs on Jordan's right side instead of Eric's) from trade consideration, although I could understand the org's decision to cash out IF the right offer came along. But I would take no hits in value for him.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top