GDT: Leafs @ Canes 1/9 7:00

[CarolinaPen]

Yeah ... I'm not arguing the point anymore. Suffice to say the same I've said for a couple of years. E Staal is this team's most complete player and a VERY productive NHL first line center. He ain't perfect ... darned few are.

Just for the record, I don't think the team is better off without Eric but I do think Jordan is better off without Eric. I think Eric curbs some of Jordan's leadership and effort when he is around. Sadly I don't think we have seen the best Jordan possible and not sure we will with Eric around, other than his nice outburst the other night. The brother pairing so far has been a mistake.

Eric is a true first line center and has all the physical skills needed to be an NHL star player.....no questions there. He is not a good Captain/Leader.

 

[jeffbear]

Just for the record, I don't think the team is better off without Eric but I do think Jordan is better off without Eric. I think Eric curbs some of Jordan's leadership and effort when he is around. Sadly I don't think we have seen the best Jordan possible and not sure we will with Eric around, other than his nice outburst the other night. The brother pairing so far has been a mistake.

Eric is a true first line center and has all the physical skills needed to be an NHL star player.....no questions there. He is not a good Captain/Leader.

I think they words there are "so far." We've not even had a full season out of the brothers Staal and I'm sure they're still figuring things out a bit.

As for Eric's status as a leader ... he might be a good leader without being the Captain this team needs. They aren't mutually exclusive. And I would point out that ALL teams need more than one talisman. You have to get solid leadership from a group of key players, not just one guy. I think it's obvious that adding Malhotra had had more of an impact that just what he's produced on the shore sheet ... just by way of example. And also note that this club was carrying a "leader" in Tim Gleason for 4 bloody years while he contributed next to nothing on the ice. Cam Ward is also a leader on this team who just hasn't been there on the ice for both health and performance reasons. The two go hand in hand ... to be effective as a leader you have to produce at a certain level on the ice as well as provide a voice for the team.

It's a complicated beast, building a team with good chemistry. And I really like the direction Carolina is going in that regard with the additions they've made this year.

 

[JamesNorthern]

I think they words there are "so far." We've not even had a full season out of the brothers Staal and I'm sure they're still figuring things out a bit.

As for Eric's status as a leader ... he might be a good leader without being the Captain this team needs. They aren't mutually exclusive. And I would point out that ALL teams need more than one talisman. You have to get solid leadership from a group of key players, not just one guy. I think it's obvious that adding Malhotra had had more of an impact that just what he's produced on the shore sheet ... just by way of example. And also note that this club was carrying a "leader" in Tim Gleason for 4 bloody years while he contributed next to nothing on the ice. Cam Ward is also a leader on this team who just hasn't been there on the ice for both health and performance reasons. The two go hand in hand ... to be effective as a leader you have to produce at a certain level on the ice as well as provide a voice for the team.

It's a complicated beast, building a team with good chemistry. And I really like the direction Carolina is going in that regard with the additions they've made this year.

Honestly, I think that is really what this team has sorely missed. Eric IS a leader, but not necessarily an RF or Brindy. Different. I actually find Jordan seems to have a little more pull in that regard. Again, that's my impression. And I do agree, veteran leadership shouldn't be hung on one player, plus Eric is still pretty young if you think about it. Adding a guy like Malhotra helps round out the team's need for that (vet leadership). Notice how effective our 3rd and 4th lines got since he got the call? Notice how guys who've been marginal at best suddenly were bringing their A game, shift after shift? Suddenly we're seeing Boychuck with a bee in his bonnet. Whether it last(ed) or not, it's moot now since he got sent down. I too am not happy with it. Sure Bowman has been defensively responsible, but he hasn't contributed on the scoresheet or even offensively in the games. He's had his usual Bowman alone in goal, gets a good shot at the goalie, makes the save - opportunities, but still fails to capitalize on them. He hasn't seem to step it up either like the rest of the team.

Btw, yesterday was a perfect example where we TOTALLY missed having Eric in the lineup. I felt our squad was a bit 'thin' minues Eric going up against an improved, hardworking and motivated CBJ team.