GDT: broons versus hooricanes

[tarheelhockey]

^ I'm looking for the wishful thinking in that logic, but I don't see it. Which is weird because it's been a pretty long time since an optimistic prediction for this team didn't involve wishful thinking.

They've been playing decently well for long enough that it doesn't seem like a streak anymore. Barring catastrophic injuries (which is a dangerous assumption), there's no reason to think they can't stay at this level long term. So yeah, 98 points seems like a fair goal for them. And if that's not enough for playoffs, then it's just not meant to be.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

One thing this game in particular showed is that this team really does have leadership by committee. Skinner has had a few games where he took charge of the team and led them to victory. Jordan sparked the team with his goal in this game, and Faulk has found his offensive game again. 3 A's on the sweaters, but all of them have shown some captaincy play of late.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

I just hope the xmas break doesn't kill momentum.

 

[AD Skinner]

I'm sure hoping Ward can have a back half of his career like Tim Thomas did. I think we are seeing what Wardo could of been if we hadn't constantly iced one of the worst defenses in the league for 7-8 straight seasons.

I wonder too about his health and the health of his son and what kind of effect that must have had on him, on top of the awful defenses. I know I've ragged on him a lot the last few years but have always thought he was a total stand up person; I'm really glad he's playing well again and wants to be a hurricane.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

They've been playing decently well for long enough that it doesn't seem like a streak anymore. Barring catastrophic injuries (which is a dangerous assumption), there's no reason to think they can't stay at this level long term. So yeah, 98 points seems like a fair goal for them. And if that's not enough for playoffs, then it's just not meant to be.

Yeah, that's the tricky part. No doubt the team is playing well and is a very different team than in October. The two biggest risk factors in this are:

1) Injuries, as you've said. So far the team has been relatively healthy. Faulk: 3 games; Lindholm: 5 games; Staal: 7 games; are really the only injuries they've had. It's pretty unrealistic to think that can last as the season wears on. They don't have enough depth to handle any major injuries.

2) Goaltending: Ward has been good, but can it last. Even if he doesn't "regress", I worry about them running him out there every single game. He'll needs some breaks and if they do give him some breaks, can Lack at least hold the fort?

Next 3 games: At Pitt, vs. CHI, At Tampa is going to go a long way in telling us if this team is a contender or pretender.

 

[Joe McGrath]

^ I'm looking for the wishful thinking in that logic, but I don't see it. Which is weird because it's been a pretty long time since an optimistic prediction for this team didn't involve wishful thinking.

They've been playing decently well for long enough that it doesn't seem like a streak anymore. Barring catastrophic injuries (which is a dangerous assumption), there's no reason to think they can't stay at this level long term. So yeah, 98 points seems like a fair goal for them. And if that's not enough for playoffs, then it's just not meant to be.

The big thing besides injuries is getting some kind of competent play out of backup goaltending. It's hard for me to imagine Cam staying at the level he's at, in a condensed schedule, starting the 65-70 games he's on pace for.

 

[The Faulker 27]

The big thing besides injuries is getting some kind of competent play out of backup goaltending. It's hard for me to imagine Cam staying at the level he's at, in a condensed schedule, starting the 65-70 games he's on pace for.

Yeah and Lacking Tacko isn't gonna cut it.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Yeah and Lacking Tacko isn't gonna cut it.

It remains to be seen if he is or isn't. He's only played 3 games so far I think, and that was when the team was playing like butt.

 

[The Faulker 27]

It remains to be seen if he is or isn't. He's only played 3 games so far I think, and that was when the team was playing like butt.

He's played 5, started 4 but I'm mainly talking about his work last season which I wasn't overly comfortable with.

 

[Unsustainable]

I think we sacrifice Lack to Pitt on the next group of games.

 

[The Faulker 27]

I think we sacrifice Lack to Pitt on the next group of games.

 

[AD Skinner]

I'd start lack at Chicago- he's had success against them in the past and it's an away game so if he really puts up a stinker it's not in front of the home fans or messing with the home streak which has gotten pretty impressive. I don't know if the numbers are reflecting it, but there's no better way to get people to come to your home games than winning them

 

[VAcaniac]

Hawks are not the same team they are at the United Center - that game doesnt intimidate me as much as Pittsburgh or Tampa. We never beat either.

 

[Dishface]

Hate to say it, but we need at least 4 points in the next 3 games. 5 would be ideal to stay within reach and gain ground. It'll be tough, but for the first time in awhile, I am optimistic.

 

[Breakdowns]

Nice comeback!

But let`s be honest, first 2 periods were really bad- like worst in whole season bad. You guys sometimes get very mad at them for losing lead etc, but they played well then, even when giving up goals, they still played okey hockey, but @ this game there were so many mistakes and turnovers in first 2 periods, we were really bad. Third one was much better, and that`s the team we want to see!

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Yeah, things balance out to some extent. For all the points the Canes gave away not protecting a lead, there are at least 4 points (Vancouver and Boston) and maybe 6, they got where they had no business winning.

To me, that's a positive though. They've blown some leads, but they also aren't folding when behind and have shown they can come back and win when they aren't at their best.

 

[Bunch of Jurcos]

One thing that I'm noticing is that slowly people are starting to come back to the games. I wish we had a better marketing department so we could capitalize on how scorching hot we've been at home. I can't wait until the 8th when I can be in the building again vs the Bruins!

 

[ncsu1]

^ Short of having unlimited money, what exactly do you suggest they do differently?

 

[Navin R Slavin]

^ Short of having unlimited money, what exactly do you suggest they do differently?

Hey, buddy, marketing the Hurricanes is your job. Don't come asking us to do your job for you.

(But getting guys like David Glenn to talk about the Hurricanes for more than six seconds a day might be a good idea.)

 

[HisIceness]

One thing that I'm noticing is that slowly people are starting to come back to the games. I wish we had a better marketing department so we could capitalize on how scorching hot we've been at home. I can't wait until the 8th when I can be in the building again vs the Bruins!

I still think they need to market the team better outside the Triangle. One preseason game in Charlotte in 20 years of being here in North Carolina is pretty lousy and considering that the one game played here was pretty well attended. This was on a Sunday afternoon about an hour after a Panthers game in which sheets of rain fell all throughout the day. I'm shocked they haven't done another. But for some reason, they agree to be the home team in Quebec and Halifax, and apparently next year in Saskatchewan.

Hell I wouldn't mind if they wanted to go play one in Charleston or Greenville, SC. They could be the road team too for all I care.

Pipe dream or not, there really is no excuse for not trying to get your name out there to potential customers. Even if it's just a handful of people at first, well then they come back the following year and they bring a friend or family member and maybe they plan a weekend trip to Raleigh to see a real game.

Anyways that's my rant on the subject. Good night.

 

[cptjeff]

I still think they need to market the team better outside the Triangle. One preseason game in Charlotte in 20 years of being here in North Carolina is pretty lousy and considering that the one game played here was pretty well attended. This was on a Sunday afternoon about an hour after a Panthers game in which sheets of rain fell all throughout the day. I'm shocked they haven't done another. But for some reason, they agree to be the home team in Quebec and Halifax, and apparently next year in Saskatchewan.

Hell I wouldn't mind if they wanted to go play one in Charleston or Greenville, SC. They could be the road team too for all I care.

Pipe dream or not, there really is no excuse for not trying to get your name out there to potential customers. Even if it's just a handful of people at first, well then they come back the following year and they bring a friend or family member and maybe they plan a weekend trip to Raleigh to see a real game.

Anyways that's my rant on the subject. Good night.

Putting more effort into Greensboro might be a good idea. Only an hour or so away, which, unlike Charlotte, is possible to do even on an every game basis, and I know several people who used to be full season STHers, but have let it lapse. Getting more partial season plans would be good, and Greensboro brings you another 700k or so people to draw on. And there's absolutely no presence here, even at the rink. Seriously, it's not like the Ice House charges a lot of money for an ad- put a damn Canes logo in the ice or on the boards, at the very minimum.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Seriously, it's not like the Ice House charges a lot of money for an ad- put a damn Canes logo in the ice or on the boards, at the very minimum.

Not even just for the sake of Canes marketing, but also for the sake of providing some support to local hockey. It's really strange to me that they wouldn't have at least a board ad in every rink.

 

[HisIceness]

Putting more effort into Greensboro might be a good idea. Only an hour or so away, which, unlike Charlotte, is possible to do even on an every game basis, and I know several people who used to be full season STHers, but have let it lapse. Getting more partial season plans would be good, and Greensboro brings you another 700k or so people to draw on. And there's absolutely no presence here, even at the rink. Seriously, it's not like the Ice House charges a lot of money for an ad- put a damn Canes logo in the ice or on the boards, at the very minimum.

Agreed as well. Someone about a month ago suggested playing a game in Greensboro (pre-season). I would make that trip in a heartbeat. It would give me a good excuse to make a stop at Lexington Barbecue

 

[VAcaniac]

Or you know, just make the playoffs more than a couple of times in a generation. If somehow they made the playoffs this year, you know attendance will go way up next year. Not rocket science.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Not even just for the sake of Canes marketing, but also for the sake of providing some support to local hockey. It's really strange to me that they wouldn't have at least a board ad in every rink.

Co-signed.

I'm in Frederick County, Maryland over the holiday break with my wife's family, and I brought my skates so I could kill some time here at the local rink in Frederick.

It's wall-to-wall Caps advertisements.

At the rink at Orange County in Hillsborough: barely any Canes presence at all. No sponsorship on the website. Nothing.

Maybe the Canes figure that they don't need to do any of that, that any money they spend in the local rinks is a waste because it's preaching to the converted.

Winning fixes most of this, of course, but still.