GDT: Lazy JFWP GDT: Caps@Canes

[Blueline Bomber]

What upgrade is available? It's not like starting goaltenders are being given away and certainly not any better than Ward.

Not to mention to acquire a goaltender that could be considered an upgrade, we'd either have to deplete our already limited prospect pool (basically Lindholm and Murphy become available) or we trade Skinner

 

[Anton Babchuk]

What did the PK really give up? All three goals were scored on low-quality slapshots from the point. Two should have been stopped cleanly and one was a crazy deflection.

I mean, I agree that we should take fewer penalties as a matter of not ****ing the bed in a big game. But it shouldn't have mattered because our PK actually did get the job done; Cam simply has to make routine saves.

good point. it's funny how the "defense" and the "pk" allegedly start falling apart whenever ward's in net. maybe it's just ward not stopping the puck? even the best defenses in the league give up plenty of quality scoring chances. almost every goal scored in the nhl can be pinpointed to some sort of defensive breakdown along the line. that's the bread and butter of camwardo defenders: if anybody in front of ward did anything wrong it's "if X and Y breakdown didn't happen then the goal wouldn't have happened, therefore ward is not at fault." ward can let in an unscreened shot from the blueline to tie the game mid-way through the third (see: san jose game) and it's "they didn't get the puck out!"

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Not to mention to acquire a goaltender that could be considered an upgrade, we'd either have to deplete our already limited prospect pool (basically Lindholm and Murphy become available) or we trade Skinner

I guess that depends on how Ward performs the rest of the season to say what an "upgrade" really is. For the past two seasons, he's struggled with injuries and even when playing has put up a .904 save %. It's not going to cost anything close to Skinner, Lindholm and Murphy to get an upgrade over that.

Seriously though, they aren't trading Ward. No matter how well Peter's has played, I can't see any way they risk going into the 2nd half of the season with a tandum of Peters/Khodobin, regardless of Ward's current performance and salary. This team needs Ward to regain the form of a couple of years ago. It's a shame he's struggling right now because the team finally seems to have at least a somewhat competent defense.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Isn't there a saying: "Your goaltender has to be your best penalty killer."?

Anyways, Olesky moving the net in front of the ref and Ruutu getting called for holding when Ward tries to shoulder him and loses his balance instead were the low-lights of the night. Still, human error is a large part of the game, whether it should be or not. And good teams will find ways to win.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Remember when Frederik Andersen was all "I won't have any role or importance in Carolina"?

LOLZ

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I guess that depends on how Ward performs the rest of the season to say what an "upgrade" really is. For the past two seasons, he's struggled with injuries and even when playing has put up a .904 save %. It's not going to cost anything close to Skinner, Lindholm and Murphy to get an upgrade over that.

Depends on the situation, really. If the plan is to transition Ward out of the organization, it won't be a secret. JR will be fielding offers, and depending on how Ward's played up to that point, it'll either be JR holding all the cards or holding a deuce-seven.

If Ward doesn't return to form, he'll be a tough move to the point where JR will likely have to add something valuable to move him. Not only that, if JR goes goaltending hunting after moving Ward, it'll mean Petrrs/Anton didn't work out and he'll be desperate. And desperation isn't a good position to be in in trade negotiations.

It's all irrelevant anyway, since the only way Ward will be moved is if he requests it. And if he does, add another factor to that "difficult to move" column.

 

[LadyCane]

I don't understand this comment -- Last night was one of the best compete games the Canes played all season. It was one of the few 60 minute efforts, it was one of the few good first periods. Sometimes the team that plays better doesn't win, last night was one of those nights.

I was super-excited to go to the game. But the feeling of "...oh god" every time the Caps got near the net just kinda soured it for me, because I remember when Cam Ward was glorious to watch. :/ I don't want to hate on him, but I definitely miss the Cam Ward of old.

 

[Moosetache]

If the team is attempting to make the playoffs over the next couple years (and I'd have to assume this is the last window for some of the guys, including Ward), you can't replace your starter with a guy with 20 games to his career and a guy you had strongly penciled in as your 3rd string goaltender at the start of the season, especially with his history.

What happens if you trade Ward and neither Peters nor Anton can step up next year? Then you're essentially Edmonton and that's kind of the opposite position the team wants to be in.

Why cant you replace your "starter"? He has been sub par anyway. If the Canes had been of that mind set in '06, they might have never won the cup.

"Oh, you cant take out Gerber and put in a 21 year old with very little experience!"

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Why cant you replace your "starter"? He has been sub par anyway. If the Canes had been of that mind set in '06, they might have never won the cup.

"Oh, you cant take out Gerber and put in a 21 year old with very little experience!"

You didn't read closely. I didn't say you couldn't replace your starter. I said you couldn't replace your starter and have your other two options reek of inexperience.

Ward replaced Gerber out of necessity more than anything. Gerber had a stomach virus (IIRC) that caused him to lose a lot of weight and generally feel terrible.

And even after the playoffs Ward had, the team was willing to keep Gerber around as a backup. Because they realized it was quite possible Ward was simply "on" during that run and might not be able to handle the 60-70 games of an NHL starter, especially in his second year in the league. And they were right. He struggled a lot the first couple years in the league.

Gerber, again IIRC, declined their offer, hoping to find a starter job elsewhere (which he found in OTT). After that, the Canes grabbed a veteran goaltender to backup for the same reasons stated above.

If they're going to replace Ward as the starter, which appears to be the transition that's taking place, it's still prudent to have an established starter rather than a question mark as a backup in case one of Peters/Anton (whichever they keep) struggles next year.

That established starter doesn't have to be Ward, but if he's been relegated to a 6.3 million dollar backup with an NTC, he's going to difficult to move (to say the least).

 

[What the Faulk]

Ward was also regarded pretty highly, even before he had that run. Peters et al really aren't.

 

[DaveG]

You didn't read closely. I didn't say you couldn't replace your starter. I said you couldn't replace your starter and have your other two options reek of inexperience.

Ward replaced Gerber out of necessity more than anything. Gerber had a stomach virus (IIRC) that caused him to lose a lot of weight and generally feel terrible.

And even after the playoffs Ward had, the team was willing to keep Gerber around as a backup. Because they realized it was quite possible Ward was simply "on" during that run and might not be able to handle the 60-70 games of an NHL starter, especially in his second year in the league. And they were right. He struggled a lot the first couple years in the league.

Gerber, again IIRC, declined their offer, hoping to find a starter job elsewhere (which he found in OTT). After that, the Canes grabbed a veteran goaltender to backup for the same reasons stated above.

If they're going to replace Ward as the starter, which appears to be the transition that's taking place, it's still prudent to have an established starter rather than a question mark as a backup in case one of Peters/Anton (whichever they keep) struggles next year.

That established starter doesn't have to be Ward, but if he's been relegated to a 6.3 million dollar backup with an NTC, he's going to difficult to move (to say the least).

Yep, just ask Vancouver. Although Ward's contract isn't quite the albatross of that one due to the length. 2 more years vs what, like 20?

Altshuller's looking VERY good this season, and has a nice pedigree to go with him, so there's some hope he may be the answer long term. That said, ****ing Andersen's agent man. We SHOULD have the kind of goalie depth right now that this shouldn't even marginally be an issue.