Is it time to panic?

[Nikishin Go Boom]

So Hreschuk and Korshkov were holding us back this whole time?

 

[Svechhammer]

In retrospect, it might have actually been time to panic

 

[hblueridgegal]

I haven’t talked smack but am panicking about the ribbing I will probably have to endure next week in NYC.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

In retrospect, it might have actually been time to panic

Nah, the stance is the same as it was when the topic was first created, it's just more obvious now. The Canes don't have the pieces to compete for the Cup this year, so panicking over how they play doesn't make much sense. They've accomplished what they set out to do this year: Make the playoffs. Anything that happens after that is just gravy.

And before anyone starts with "No, they want(ed) to compete for the Cup," what moves makes you believe that? Was it completely overhauling the goaltending and a good portion of the defense in the off-season? Was it the 50/50 shot on KK in the hopes that he'd work out? Was it the very minor move at the trade deadline?

This year wasn't/isn't the year to make the Cup push. Too many strong teams and our play wasn't nearly good enough to compete with a lot of them in the regular season, let alone a 7-game series.

So accept the possibility of a first round exit, hope to get as far as they can, but panic? Why?

 

[chaz4hockey]

Nah, the stance is the same as it was when the topic was first created, it's just more obvious now. The Canes don't have the pieces to compete for the Cup this year, so panicking over how they play doesn't make much sense. They've accomplished what they set out to do this year: Make the playoffs. Anything that happens after that is just gravy.

And before anyone starts with "No, they want(ed) to compete for the Cup," what moves makes you believe that? Was it completely overhauling the goaltending and a good portion of the defense in the off-season? Was it the 50/50 shot on KK in the hopes that he'd work out? Was it the very minor move at the trade deadline?

This year wasn't/isn't the year to make the Cup push. Too many strong teams and our play wasn't nearly good enough to compete with a lot of them in the regular season, let alone a 7-game series.

So accept the possibility of a first round exit, hope to get as far as they can, but panic? Why?

FWIW: 104 point teams always have a shot at going deep in the playoffs. Management's move at deadline was weak.

Challenge going forward is what pieces Canes can pull together that does position the team to win. Tro (NP on my end when he leaves), NN, 3rd pair all will need to be replaced and the remaining pieces of the Staal line are another year over 30.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Every team that makes the playoffs has a SHOT a going deep. We've seen 8th seeds win the Cup after all. But it's about managing expectations. And I don't think it's too out there to say that whatever spark is needed to win the Cup each year, this team (currently) ain't got it.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Every team that makes the playoffs has a SHOT a going deep. We've seen 8th seeds win the Cup after all. But it's about managing expectations. And I don't think it's too out there to say that whatever spark is needed to win the Cup each year, this team (currently) ain't got it.

Statistically, its very very rare that an 8th seed wins the cup. As I recall, in 2012, LA was the first & only to win it and although there are a few more that made the final, it's statistically very rare. Higher ranked teams are almost always the winners.

When you are leading your division with over 100 points and only 6-7 games to go, clearly your odds to win are much much higher.

FWIW, Domi acquisition was lame (there were plenty of other energy, bigger players who can score available for similar cost) and did nothing to position the Canes to win a tough series.

Combine that with Mgt's mistakes made on 3rd pair D and the insistence of playing Martinook over a quality Wolve player and/or an early season acquisition and our odds to win are now clearly lower. I do agree with you that the squad seems to be on fumes and a summer exploration by management must be made on whether our squad of smaller players can handle 100 games or so of Rod's demanded playing style.

Finally, of course things change, but currently what I fail to see is how this team is positioned for a run in 23/24. Staal/Fast's contract expire among other personnel issues.

 

[Canes]

Still no time to panic. Time to lower your expectations, i.e. don't have any. We're clearly in the 2nd or 3rd echelon of playoff contenders now.

 

[TomppaKoo]

Altitude is probably the most difficult place to play for a visiting team and Avalanche are like Harlem Globetrotters after trade deadline. Canes were still able to score 4 goals and were pressing the arguably best team at the moment over half of the game. Everything is possible. Canes have an amazing team and there are many good signs like Jordo finding the net, for example. + I don't think there is one team in NHL that makes the kind of highlight material tic-tac-toe plays that Canes make every day and twice on Sundays. I am very much looking forward to the playoffs. Just hope that Freddy is available when playoffs start.

 

[VAcaniac]

I already traded the entire team away for a bag of pucks.

Playoffs are cancelled.

 

[tarheelhockey]

During the offseason and at the beginning of the season, nobody thought this team was going to be one of the top contenders. A mid-range playoff seed would have been viewed as completely satisfactory.

At midseason, nobody thought this team was too weak to contend with the big dogs. A mid-range playoff seed would have been viewed as an unfortunate implosion that better have a good explanation.

Right now, it's accurate to the best of our knowledge to say this group peaked early and has come down to earth as the low-to-mid playoff team they were originally expected to be. That being taken at face value, it's also extremely fair to say that is not a scenario where you start throwing around long-term assets at the TDL. If anything we got lucky that management didn't feel inordinate pressure to force a deep run with this group, if it meant taking bites out of our prospect pipeline.

 

[Ole Gil]

The Canes aren't playing win at all cost hockey. They are managing their minutes.

Slavin is going to be playing 25 a game come playoff time. Aho's going to be 20+ every night. etc...

Peaking now is peaking early. This is the least important part of the season, which is what stings the most about the injuries.

We'll see how those end up affecting the teams chances, but not winning mostly meaningless games when I assume the coach is more focused on the playoffs, is not a reason to throw in the towel.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

In retrospect, it might have actually been time to panic

The time to panic was when Carolina lost 4 of their last 5 and their starting goaltender got sick and the canes were down 2-0 vs Montreal in 05/06.

 

[Derailed75]

Panic depends on the injury report of Jordo and Freddy

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Panic depends on the injury report of Jordo and Freddy

Jordo? From postings, I was under the impression he belong on the 4th line.

 

[Derailed75]

Jordo? From postings, I was under the impression he belong on the 4th line.

Not from me! Pretty sure when he and his wife lost that baby a few seasons ago the team went into a tail spin.

 

[HisIceness]

 

[3CanesInTheBox]

When is the last time this team had this much cushion with this many games left…? Just complacent. I feel good with them not likely having to play Tampa at least. I’m not afraid of the Rangers or Caps. Wouldn’t be afraid of Boston if the the Good Canes show up.

We just won’t know if the proverbial “switch” will turn on until the playoffs.