GDT: Canes at Blue Jackets

[Babych44]

First, board rule: You have to tell us the name of your fantasy team before we answer fantasy-related questions

This fantasy is just between friends

 

[hblueridgegal]

More than the fancy stats, better playmaking, elite talent, etc. concerns, I have long felt that this "intangible" - lack of a killer instinct has been a problem for years, more so for the last couple. When the rubber meets the road, the confidence vanishes and they often fold quite easily when things don't go their way especially against better competition. You see the shoulders droop and intensity decline more often. This year, it feels like the loss hangover due to it lasts more than one game.

They don't seem to have anyone on the roster who helps evoke it either or can rally the troops. Blake, based on this pressers, appears to be someone who could after a few more years.

 

[HisIceness]

Necas, Svech, KK, Jarvis, and Aho have not been very good since Thanksgiving.

It's unfortunately typical of this team to have one of these guys go into a month without scoring a goal but they're all struggling at once.

This team badly needs a reliable goalscorer. Robinson/Roslovic shouldn't be the reliable forwards scoring.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Necas, Svech, KK, Jarvis, and Aho have not been very good since Thanksgiving.

It's unfortunately typical of this team to have one of these guys go into a month without scoring a goal but they're all struggling at once.

This team badly needs a reliable goalscorer. Robinson/Roslovic shouldn't be the reliable forwards scoring.

Is it a slump or are they kinda checked out due to the realities of the situation and limitations they have now?

Like I said upthread, I think a victory over FL - even a regular middle of the season win - might breathe a little new life into the team.

 

[Stickpucker]

Anyone have the game card with peeps contributions?

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Necas, Svech, KK, Jarvis, and Aho have not been very good since Thanksgiving.

It's unfortunately typical of this team to have one of these guys go into a month without scoring a goal but they're all struggling at once.

This team badly needs a reliable goalscorer. Robinson/Roslovic shouldn't be the reliable forwards scoring.

Svech and Necas, absolutely. And for much of November/December, the others you listed would also apply.

But I think the top line has been quite good over the last two games. At the very least, they're more engaged offensively while not being a complete dumpster fire defensively, which is better than a few weeks back

 

[Joe McGrath]

I’m not at all concerned they will miss the playoffs. Even playing at their current pace of 11 points every 10 games they finish with 106 or so points. If the Penguins/Rangers/Flyers/Isles/BJs end up with that many points I’ll eat my hat.

How bad they are on the road is an issue. It leads me to believe they are probably an easy out in the playoffs. Unless Freddie comes back and stabilizes things (unlikely)

 

[Blueline Bomber]

The road woes seem like a reoccurring theme over the years. I imagine Rod's system is probably not suited to not have last change, but I don't think that would completely explain how bad they've been

 

[chaz4hockey]

The road woes seem like a reoccurring theme over the years. I imagine Rod's system is probably not suited to not have last change, but I don't think that would completely explain how bad they've been

Road losses are primarily on players plus perhaps coaching for not adjusting. Canes don't have many alpha players (mentally in particular) that raise up on the road. Until that changes, they will never win a cup (compare that to the 02, 06, 09 teams....they had those type of players).

 

[Unhinged Finn]

The road woes seem like a reoccurring theme over the years. I imagine Rod's system is probably not suited to not have last change, but I don't think that would completely explain how bad they've been

Playoffs absolutely. I remember at least a couple great road trips in recent years. I believe the canes were the best road team at some point mid season or even more towards the end. At some point they won more on the road than home for a fairly long strech, if I'm not mistaken (which I'm often according to my lovely wife).

I don't think it's mainly a coaching or a system thing 5v5. Lack of scoring depth is the issue IMO. For example Barkov neutered McD in the finals. That is not on McDavid. There just wasn't enough outside of his line.

Great goaltending would help to even things out. But as it has been pointed out a number of times, special teams has been the biggest issue in the recent post seasons. PK drops for some reason and PP is even more impotent. PP I can see why, because you can do whatever you will in front of your goal in the post season.

A couple of good additions to the core would make a big difference. A goalie, 2C and a power forward able to score with a broken nose. Freddie, KK and Svech could (have) be (en) those, but they are not. At least now.

Edit: TLDR management better put their good shopping pants on next summer.

PS. It seems like Marchenko likes to play against us.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Playoffs absolutely. I remember at least a couple great road trips in recent years. I believe the canes were the best road team at some point mid season or even more towards the end. At some point they won more on the road than home for a fairly long strech, if I'm not mistaken (which I'm often according to my lovely wife).

I don't think it's mainly a coaching or a system thing 5v5. Lack of scoring depth is the issue IMO. For example Barkov neutered McD in the finals. That is not on McDavid. There just wasn't enough outside of his line.

Great goaltending would help to even things out. But as it has been pointed out a number of times, special teams has been the biggest issue in the recent post seasons. PK drops for some reason and PP is even more impotent. PP I can see why, because you can do whatever you will in front of your goal in the post season.

A couple of good additions to the core would make a big difference. A goalie, 2C and a power forward able to score with a broken nose. Freddie, KK and Svech could (have) be (en) those, but they are not. At least now.

Edit: TLDR management better put their good shopping pants on next summer.

PS. It seems like Marchenko likes to play against us.

Yeah they have been great on the road in the regular season, playoffs? Complete ass.

 

[Slapshottothehead]

Probably time to explore what the return on svech would be. Guy is a stupid penalty machine....

 

[Unhinged Finn]

Probably time to explore what the return on svech would be. Guy is a stupid penalty machine....

If his value isn't the lowest right now, it definetly isn't the highest. I imagine something around Pu and picks. Or a golden retriever from PIT they already abandoned.

That said, he might benefit from the change. Canes won't, in almost 101 out of 100 cases. That's just math.