GDT: La bataille entre les Hurricanes et les Canadiens de Montréal

[CanesFanBudMan]

Rod has lost the room and that pretty much all he had

 

[AD Skinner]

Has Rod lost the room or has the chemistry just been rocked super hard?

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

Has Rod lost the room or has the chemistry just been rocked super hard?

Either way it’s his problem. If your system causes Rantanen to play like a 30 pt player that’s a system problem.

 

[User13452]

Has Rod lost the room or has the chemistry just been rocked super hard?

Don’t think he’s lost the room but I would like him to set 4 lines and stick with them for a game at least nobody seems to have any chemistry with anyone right now. I’d also call up Nadeau give him a couple games see if he can help the powerplay at least

 

[Stickpucker]

Canes fans after that game

 

[WreckingCrew]

Glad I missed both of the last 2 shitshow games

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Either way it’s his problem. If your system causes Rantanen to play like a 30 pt player that’s a system problem.

Is his system making Rants play like that, or is Rants just playing like that?

 

[TheBigLetowski]

Are we chalking this up to RBA's blender lines creating no chemistry or what? I'm genuinely curious as to what needs to happen. I don't think Brent Burns is this whole teams problem, but I think another shake up needs to happen.

 

[Svechhammer]

Is his system making Rants play like that, or is Rants just playing like that?

I want to say it's just Rants, but Aho and Svech are having garbage seasons as well, Necas slumped hard before the trade and immediately became a PPG player again after, and coming into the stretch run we have absolutely no idea who we are going to be able to rely on this year.

But who knows. We tend to go in big slumps every year and we tend to struggle to climb out when we do, especially in the playoffs. This year feels different, though.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I want to say it's just Rants, but Aho and Svech are having garbage seasons as well, Necas slumped hard before the trade and immediately became a PPG player again after, and coming into the stretch run we have absolutely no idea who we are going to be able to rely on this year.

But who knows. We tend to go in big slumps every year and we tend to struggle to climb out when we do, especially in the playoffs. This year feels different, though.

This year is definitely different, but we knew that coming into this year. We knew this team would take a step back. A Necas hot streak gave us enough separation early in the year to cover the issues, but they're still there.

Both Aho and Svech have had a lot of success under this same system, so blaming the system for their lack of success this year is foolish. And if it was the system, it wouldn't explain why both Aho and Rantanen looked just as bad in the 4 Nations as they have with us.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

This year is definitely different, but we knew that coming into this year. We knew this team would take a step back. A Necas hot streak gave us enough separation early in the year to cover the issues, but they're still there.

Both Aho and Svech have had a lot of success under this same system, so blaming the system for their lack of success this year is foolish. And if it was the system, it wouldn't explain why both Aho and Rantanen looked just as bad in the 4 Nations as they have with us.

I wonder if Aho and Svech played in different systems they would both produce more offense. The system stifles any talent that comes in, there is no reason to think the talent that has always been here has not been stifled as well.

 

[AD Skinner]

I’d be interested in seeing them play a game without giving up multiple goals in the first five minutes. Not saying it’s the goalies’ fault but it does color the entire rest of the game

 

[Svechhammer]

I’d be interested in seeing them play a game without giving up multiple goals in the first five minutes. Not saying it’s the goalies’ fault but it does color the entire rest of the game

I mean our defense is garbage right now. And that is the one part of the team Brindy has historically shown the most resistance in changing. Hell put the forward lines in a blender nightly, but Burns will keep getting the most TOI on the team despite being objectively terrible this year.

 

[CanesUltimate11]

The premature line tinkering kind of killed the good vibes going last fall and they've never really looked the same since then. Other than Staal and Martinook - just think of all the line combos all the guys on offense have lived through already. It's bonkers. I don't see how that instills any confidence. Trading away the assist leader and scorer on top of that without a plan - well, no wonder there's confusion about how to execute and score.

Per the press statements, the coach and Aho knew the trade was likely coming 7-10 days before it happened..no one was preparing a strategy?

Don’t think he’s lost the room but I would like him to set 4 lines and stick with them for a game at least nobody seems to have any chemistry with anyone right now. I’d also call up Nadeau give him a couple games see if he can help the powerplay at least

I'd like to see Rod run with the same lines throughout this home stand come hell or high water. Just let the guys figure it out without the constant concern of being bumped around.

Blake-Aho_Rantanen I think this line was when Rantanen looked his best the first few games
Svech-KK-Hall
Martinook-Staal-Jarvis Can swap Svech and Jarvis if need be as both have looked good with Staal at times
Robinson-Jost-Roslovic

Set them out there on Thursday and don't touch it till after Sunday.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I wonder if Aho and Svech played in different systems they would both produce more offense. The system stifles any talent that comes in, there is no reason to think the talent that has always been here has not been stifled as well.

Guentzel put up like 25 points in 17 games. His offense wasn't stifled.

 

[LostInaLostWorld]

Guentzel put up like 25 points in 17 games. His offense wasn't stifled.

Agree with you most of the time but Guentzel is not the example you want to use. His game translated into Rod's system perfectly. Fire shots at goal - get rebounds, put backs = Guentzel. It's what made Noesen valuable. And though Aho and Svech could play that game way more than they do, they don't.

 

[Svechhammer]

Agree with you most of the time but Guentzel is not the example you want to use. His game translated into Rod's system perfectly. Fire shots at goal - get rebounds, put backs = Guentzel. It's what made Noesen valuable. And though Aho and Svech could play that game way more than they do, they don't.

And then we toyed with him in contract negotiations leading to him walking.

I am still pissed we let that happen. He should be a Cane right now, but we got too cocky, and I have a bad feeling we're going to burn the next 5 years failing to replace what we should have had with him.

And I mean we talk about Aho having a bad season, how much of his phyche is f***ed right now because of how hard we fumbled the bag with Guentzel? After all these years we finally get him the winger he needs to break out, they have instant chemistry, he is playing like the true elite 1C we have always thought he could be, and then we just try to squeeze Guentzel for more money, he leaves, and now Aho is stuck playing with the likes of Martinook or Blake every night instead. Oh, and then we let his bestie, Turbo, walk as well. Yeah, I'd be a little disgruntled as well.

And then just to cap it all off, we trade for a true elite winger in Rantanen, and then play him on a line centered by Roslovic or Kotkaniemi. Yeah, I wouldn't exactly be happy with the team right now, either.

 

[Stickpucker]

I think the team had the luxury of more depth in the past that we don't this year.

Because of that I'd stack the top 9 and the top 4 and feed them more minutes while sheltering those who need it.

On top of that I'd let the forwards build chemistry, and more minutes should help, while sheltering Burns at ES.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Agree with you most of the time but Guentzel is not the example you want to use. His game translated into Rod's system perfectly. Fire shots at goal - get rebounds, put backs = Guentzel. It's what made Noesen valuable. And though Aho and Svech could play that game way more than they do, they don't.

I mean, Aho's put up 35 goals and 90 points in Rod's system. He's certainly not being stifled either. His game is off this year, certainly, but Rod's system isn't to blame

And then we toyed with him in contract negotiations leading to him walking.

I am still pissed we let that happen. He should be a Cane right now, but we got too cocky, and I have a bad feeling we're going to burn the next 5 years failing to replace what we should have had with him.

I said as much when it happened. We learned nothing from losing Hamilton and attempting to replace him all this time

 

[hblueridgegal]

Sometimes it looks like they've read the ending of this season's book and are like only 24-28 games to go! All the late starts and general malaise has to have a root cause. Notably, once FL smacked them around again, whatever early confidence they had mostly left the building.

With so many departures, maybe it's damaged the "team" part that they've relied up on so heavily to succeed. So much familiarity gone. And where is the motivation for someone to take the game by the horns when skill is so often labeled as being selfish or too cute instead of trying hard to deliver a win. It's one thing I have noticed watching other teams, they credit the gumption even if it doesn't always work out.

 

[AD Skinner]

I’m not a strategy theologian but to me the whole Brind’Amour offense essentially is “grind on the wall so there’s room at the points, get the puck there and let them fire it, try for a rebound”. yeah you have to back check too but I don’t really buy that it significantly stifles offense. Does it reward a certain style more than others? Yeah probably but that’s not the same thing

 

[DaveG]

This year is definitely different, but we knew that coming into this year. We knew this team would take a step back. A Necas hot streak gave us enough separation early in the year to cover the issues, but they're still there.

Both Aho and Svech have had a lot of success under this same system, so blaming the system for their lack of success this year is foolish. And if it was the system, it wouldn't explain why both Aho and Rantanen looked just as bad in the 4 Nations as they have with us.

well, there is one thing that explains it, and also largely explains why we're so frigin mid this year: the team defense. Finland's defense was beyond decimated by injuries at the Four Nations and we lost an entire first pair quality second pair to UFA, while our RD1 declined to the point that he's better off being RD3. We did not have available replacements for Skjei (Boom's stuck in Russia til the end of their season) and Pesce (and we still don't have a replacement for him as much as I like Chat and Walker), and I don't think we were prepared for this season to be the one where Burns really shows his age.

Finland's defense was completely outclassed at the 4 nations, and ours has been our biggest glaring issue this season other than 2C and team chemistry. So much of offense in hockey is generated by defense. Getting the puck out of our zone has been a chore this year because everyone outside of Slavin and at times Chat is either getting bodied (Ghost, Walker) or is turnover prone (Orlov, Burns).

Nikishin next season/in the playoffs should be an upgrade over Orlov and will represent having a legit #2 in our system after losing our #2 from last year in Pesce. The key is going to be getting someone good to replace Burns since I think Walker and Chat are both capable of being the #4 and Walker might be a better fit in that regard with a more physical partner than Ghost which *gestures at Nikishin*. Someone capable to play with Slavin or someone that contrasts Ghost's weaknesses for the 3rd pair while still being capable of moving the puck and we're back to being built the way we have been in the past rather than how we're currently looking now, which is 1 elite defender, a couple mid 2nd pairing guys, and the rest being clear 3rd pairing/specialist types or guys that should be in the A (Stillman, Smith). We're kinda stuck until then and teams can matchup-f*** us on the road when we only have one guy back there that can truly be trusted in all key situations.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I’m not a strategy theologian but to me the whole Brind’Amour offense essentially is “grind on the wall so there’s room at the points, get the puck there and let them fire it, try for a rebound”. yeah you have to back check too but I don’t really buy that it significantly stifles offense. Does it reward a certain style more than others? Yeah probably but that’s not the same thing

The problem is that we lost a lot of personal that made that system work. Guys like McGinn, Noesen, even Drury were ones that were willing to get in front of the net and get those tips and rebounds. Who do we have doing that lately? And because we have no one in front, it's a simple task for the opposing team to simply throw bodies in front of any point shots that we try to get through

 

[Svechhammer]

I’m not a strategy theologian but to me the whole Brind’Amour offense essentially is “grind on the wall so there’s room at the points, get the puck there and let them fire it, try for a rebound”. yeah you have to back check too but I don’t really buy that it significantly stifles offense. Does it reward a certain style more than others? Yeah probably but that’s not the same thing

Yeah but at that same time, teams now know that if you clog up the area in front of the net and then sell out to block shots from the point, you neutralize a whole hell of a lot of what the Canes are trying to do. And after 5 years of us running that same offense, teams have grown very accustomed to stopping it, and now that we've gotten rid of one of the few free wheeling playmakers we had in Necas, we have become exceedingly easy to defend.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Sometimes it looks like they've read the ending of this season's book and are like only 24-28 games to go! All the late starts and general malaise has to have a root cause. Notably, once FL smacked them around again, whatever early confidence they had mostly left the building.

With so many departures, maybe it's damaged the "team" part that they've relied up on so heavily to succeed. So much familiarity gone. And where is the motivation for someone to take the game by the horns when skill is so often labeled as being selfish or too cute instead of trying hard to deliver a win. It's one thing I have noticed watching other teams, they credit the gumption even if it doesn't always work out.

I am frustrated at the team's performance this year but I do understand RBA's approach because of the team's current roster makeup. It's hard for RBA to get orange juice out of lemons.

His challenge is that most of the roster is dominated by lunch pair guys versus skill players.
Staal-Martinook-Robinson-KK-Jost-Carrier-Rosolvic-Hall (at this point in his career he is just a higher end lunch pair guy), all D men not named Ghost (love Slavin's D game but he is not an offensive skill guy).
5/6 of our D is just not creative in zone and are just wall protectors (Morrow is different and we need that creativity).

That leaves Aho-MR-Jarvis-Svetch-Blake as the only true high end skill guys (with Blake probably a couple of years away from completely putting it together) and with Aho and Svetch under performing we get the year we are having. Necas red hot start masked the team's underlying core issues.

The other missing part is that outside of Carrier our lunch pail guys are not consistently physical and outside of Staal-Martinook-Carrier are easy to play against most nights (Robinson has retrogressed since Necas trade). Carrier getting hurt has been more impactful than I thought originally (but then again he has an injury filled track record so should it be a surprise?).

Right now, I give Tulsky a D in roster construction. We are just too small on D, our G's have not been improved and there are too many lunch pail guys on the roster. Plus, it's a roster made up of a bunch of nice guys with no toughness on the roster.

Short of some trade deadline magic this roster is not Stanley Cup Competitive with a Divisional exit.

btw: I'm waiting for but expect Burns to be team oriented and go to RBA and say drop me down in the pairings Coach.