That pretty well sums it up. No flow at all in the first. I counted 97 whistles before the first TV timeout. And when the Canes got up 4-1, the Slugs started looking for the bus. That they scored a 2nd goal was almost miraculous.
GDT: Canes v. Slugs 1/8 7:00
- Thread starter andyt
- Start date
That pretty well sums it up. No flow at all in the first. I counted 97 whistles before the first TV timeout. And when the Canes got up 4-1, the Slugs started looking for the bus. That they scored a 2nd goal was almost miraculous.
bagopux
Well-known member
Agreed. Although I think there have been several smaller crowds, this was easily one of the smallest and least energetic. But, the on-ice product didn't help. That was one of the worst performances from an NHL team that I've ever witnessed. Buffalo was so bad they made the Canes' mediocrity seem dominant. There was a guy in our row that was at his first NHL game. All of the STHers in the row were unabashedly apologetic.
4ever green
New member
Well,seeing as we are finally healthy we really get to see how much worse the Sabres are than us.We still aren't that great,but Buffalo is obviously just spinning wheels....
dwind
Well-known member
I do think the canes are capable of doing that. My crystal ball says that when the trade deadline rolls around the canes wil be looking up at a slim chance of 8th and as usual not do anything. And once the deadline passes, the players will ease off a bit as the danger is over.
CarolinaRedEyes
New member
You think the Canes are going to win 26 games because they beat the Sabres? You crazy.
dwind
Well-known member
bagopux
Well-known member
This is definitely shaping up as the team improving toward the trade deadline to make RF think that what really held the team back was injuries and learning a new coach. (Look at the Rangers from last year.) And so the trade deadline comes and goes with no major shake ups. However, its been widely rumored that if Sekara and Tlusty aren't signed by the deadline they're gone. But that still leaves the big fish.
In any event, its possible that the Canes go slightly above NHL .500 the rest of the way. We've been I think 5-5-1 in our last 11. That would plunk us probably around 4th in the draft.
OK ... the game.
Worst. First. Period. Ever.
Both teams stunk up the joint like a week old turkey carcass. No effort, no precision, no intention ... a complete lack of anything watchable or enjoyable from both teams. Horrifying.
2nd Period
Buffalo continues to suck, but Carolina sputters to life almost by accident. Skinner scores on a shot he barely got a piece of with his stick and the bloody floodgates opened. Suddenly the Canes could do no wrong ... but did I mention that Buffalo still clung to their plan of stinking out the joint.
3rd Period
Buffalo's first line decided "enough with this stinking, let's play a little" but it wasn't enough. By then Enroth was literally cringing every time Carolina had the puck and the Sabres D was completely checked out.
Miserable, miserable performance from the Sabres. The kind that reminds you how lucky were are to be playing as badly as we are while still retaining some vestiges of legitimate hockey.
Worst. First. Period. Ever.
Both teams stunk up the joint like a week old turkey carcass. No effort, no precision, no intention ... a complete lack of anything watchable or enjoyable from both teams. Horrifying.
2nd Period
Buffalo continues to suck, but Carolina sputters to life almost by accident. Skinner scores on a shot he barely got a piece of with his stick and the bloody floodgates opened. Suddenly the Canes could do no wrong ... but did I mention that Buffalo still clung to their plan of stinking out the joint.
3rd Period
Buffalo's first line decided "enough with this stinking, let's play a little" but it wasn't enough. By then Enroth was literally cringing every time Carolina had the puck and the Sabres D was completely checked out.
Miserable, miserable performance from the Sabres. The kind that reminds you how lucky were are to be playing as badly as we are while still retaining some vestiges of legitimate hockey.
Elsker
Well-known member
I will definitely take the under on that 26-game bet. Just take a look at our remaining schedule and tell me where there's 26 wins in those remaining 41 games. As it is, we're at the halfway point with 13 wins and barely playing 0.500 hockey.
Even with improved play and a winning record the rest of the way out, our current 30 points might grow by 40+ into the 70's before the end of the season. Which gives us very good odds of being 15th in the conference according to Sports Club Stats. We'd have to be in the upper 70's to even have a good shot at 14th.
I agree we're probably picking somewhere around fourth this summer.
Paulie Walnuts
Well-known member
I realize some people are beating the "we like our team" stuff to death. However in September, what do you expect the Canes (or any marginal team) to say?
We suck big time.
We have a bunch of bums.
If we are lucky we might win 20 games.
Don't waste your money buying our tickets.
and so on.
Everybody puts on a happy face in September.
We suck big time.
We have a bunch of bums.
If we are lucky we might win 20 games.
Don't waste your money buying our tickets.
and so on.
Everybody puts on a happy face in September.
brassbonanza
Canes Moderator
if the board had a "like" button, i'd be pressing it for this post.
CarolinaPen
Active member
For me its not what the Canes say, it is what they do. Actions speak louder than words and the lack of roster moves this off-season screamed "We like our team!"
I personally think the Canes management has become paralyzed with fear of making any big moves. They are scared of impact it will have on what they think the fan base cares about (Ward & Staal) or what will happen when those guys thrive elsewhere. As a result the years keep passing by and this team is stuck in a holding pattern which is slowly reducing the number of people that care about hockey in the Triangle. They are so scared of the one possible bad deal that could really hurt this franchise that they are letting it slowly crumble...because it is the "safe" thing to do.
The worst case scenario is starting to look more plausible this year:
- Team plays better in 2nd half to allow annual excuse of health to be used
- "Big" trades are Harrison (done), and one of Tlusty or Sekara (pending on who they can resign)
- Draft around the 5-6 slot in this years draft, and then pickup a couple of reach UFA signings this off-season to bolster the D and top 9 forwards. Maybe if the fans are lucky Francis will sign next year's Brad Malone type as well!
- Start next year with close to same core group of guys
If that happens, this will make me want to scream. I can't take another year of no hope or no future direction.
TheBigKahuna
Well-known member
If this horrible scenario plays out, and we go into this summer just like last summer. You can mark my words, it will be the beginning of the end of this franchise. I for one, will find it nearly impossible to continue to care or watch Canes hockey. I can barely watch a game now.
Elsker
Well-known member
And yet you do. :sarcasm
Actually, I find the current brand of hockey the Canes are playing to be far more watchable than the seasons and seasons of Mo-hockey I've had to endure.
The trend of what I'm seeing being installed is positive. And there's actually some credence to the narrative that is out there to be employed by management if that's the direction chosen.
bagopux
Well-known member
There's no question that they tried to deal Ward over the summer and there were no takers, probably because his recent history to that point had been one of injuries and poor play, and he had a contract that was way overpriced for the goods. But at least the attempt was made and I have to assume it was a good faith effort. If I had to guess on Staal, I'd think RF is waiting to see what Peters can do with him and I don't think you can necessarily judge that in three months.
Now, does that mean that I like the lack of roster moves so far? No. But that's mostly because of the history of this team over the past few years, and all that is on JR not current management. I can't fault RF for not doing something just because I'm antsy because RF was a lost cause for several years.
TheBigKahuna
Well-known member
I typically watch about 1 period, if I watch at all. I've watched ONE game from beginning to end. In years past, I watched 75% of the season.
Paulie Walnuts
Well-known member
I am not an expert, but I am pretty sure Canes cannot force other teams to trade with them.
Lack of trades does not mean no offers have been made, it just means no trades were agreed on.
Lack of trades does not mean no offers have been made, it just means no trades were agreed on.
Hold all calls, we have a winner.
I'm pretty sure Francis does more at work than sit at his desk and play solitaire. He can't trade with himself and he has 3 virtually untradeable players in E. Staal, Semin and Ward. He can only retain one more salary in any trade, so he has to take back contracts equally as crappy as what he trades. So while it's nice to say "blow it up" or some variation thereof, the economic realities of the league and roster he inherited make it nearly impossible to accomplish a quick fix.