GDT: Mediocre storms collide | Tropical Depressions vs. Bolts

[CanesAvs16]

No, not really. I thought the sarcasm was obvious by virtue of the absurd comparison.

Kariya and Luongo were 4th overalls who became borderline Hall of Famers. Brendl, Bonsignore and to a lesser extent Kilger were hyped up to legendary levels and did nothing.

I was reading the post while doing some other things for class, so the sarcasm was completely missed. ... in other news... first time watching a pre game skate/show for a while, lets hope they win this one, or this could be a very long night.

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

Tanking only reinforces the weak-sister, loser mentality that's devoloped over the last 3 seasons. Winning for the sake of winning pays its own dividends in terms of learning how to, especially the ugly ones that are a matter of gutting it out. This is especially important on a young team, and this team has an increasing number of young players dropped into this losing culture and obviously adopting it, which perpetuates it.

The D has been talked about and it's easy to focus on them, but where lack of mental toughness it's most obvious is the offense. Since Ward and D went down to injury they've failed miserably, doing nothing to raise their game. Where injuries on the defensive side force an adoption of "the best defense is a good offense", they've consistently blown. Almost all scoring has come from 1 line, and only 1 goal per game. Maintaining pressure and forcing the opponent to adjust and make mistakes you can exploit takes heat off your D and keeps your #2 and #3 goalies from being routinely molested, and 1 line can't do it all, all the time. For most of these recent losses in the last 10 games, turning them into wins as played would require they be 1-0 shutouts that even healthy, defensively-elite teams can't manage in bunches.

They need goals from the 2nd line and for the 3rd and 4th to at least get some garbage chances. They need to play like they own 2/3 of the ice, at least, and be agressive about it. It's easy to tell who's actually doing those extra things because it stands out so easily while they others are on their heels chasing most of the time vs every single team they've faced recently. Once upon a time the best thing they could say this season was they didn't lose after leading during the breaks, but that is over and has been for awhile. Now, not only can't they protect a lead, they deflate like a tired balloon when challenged and the idea that they could comeback to actually win is an one that doesn't mesh with the going-through-the-motions performance by too many on the ice. Those players aren't physically tough, and the are mentally weak. That makes this team glory-fodder, the kind others make comebacks against.

A slightly higher draft pick won't fix what ails this team, because it's been ailing since last season, and the one before that, and the one before that. They need to win every game they can eke out instead of being comfortable all summer how they lost...again.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Tanking only reinforces the weak-sister, loser mentality that's devoloped over the last 3 seasons. Winning for the sake of winning pays its own dividends in terms of learning how to, especially the ugly ones that are a matter of gutting it out. This is especially important on a young team, and this team has an increasing number of young players dropped into this losing culture and obviously adopting it, which perpetuates it.

The D has been talked about and it's easy to focus on them, but where lack of mental toughness it's most obvious is the offense. Since Ward and D went down to injury they've failed miserably, doing nothing to raise their game. Where injuries on the defensive side force an adoption of "the best defense is a good offense", they've consistently blown. Almost all scoring has come from 1 line, and only 1 goal per game. Maintaining pressure and forcing the opponent to adjust and make mistakes you can exploit takes heat off your D and keeps your #2 and #3 goalies from being routinely molested, and 1 line can't do it all, all the time. For most of these recent losses in the last 10 games, turning them into wins as played would require they be 1-0 shutouts that even healthy, defensively-elite teams can't manage in bunches.

They need goals from the 2nd line and for the 3rd and 4th to at least get some garbage chances. They need to play like they own 2/3 of the ice, at least, and be agressive about it. It's easy to tell who's actually doing those extra things because it stands out so easily while they others are on their heels chasing most of the time vs every single team they've faced recently. Once upon a time the best thing they could say this season was they didn't lose after leading during the breaks, but that is over and has been for awhile. Now, not only can't they protect a lead, they deflate like a tired balloon when challenged and the idea that they could comeback to actually win is an one that doesn't mesh with the going-through-the-motions performance by too many on the ice. Those players aren't physically tough, and the are mentally weak. That makes this team glory-fodder, the kind others make comebacks against.

A slightly higher draft pick won't fix what ails this team, because it's been ailing since last season, and the one before that, and the one before that. They need to win every game they can eke out instead of being comfortable all summer how they lost...again.

well said.

 

[Joe McGrath]

well said.

The only way a higher draft pick fixes things is if that is Seth Jones, and he's a boss.

 

[FlyingSquirrels]

Just saw the JR interview. It amazes me that it seems he doesn't even comprehend the concept of being a seller. And spoke in terms of us only being a buyer. Never even mentioned ONCE about fielding calls about shipping some of these losers out. Just about giving up prospects and picks...not acquiring them!

For Goodness sake, would someone please please give this guy a clue.

 

[FlyingSquirrels]

Tanking only reinforces the weak-sister, loser mentality that's devoloped over the last 3 seasons. Winning for the sake of winning pays its own dividends in terms of learning how to, especially the ugly ones that are a matter of gutting it out. This is especially important on a young team, and this team has an increasing number of young players dropped into this losing culture and obviously adopting it, which perpetuates it.

The D has been talked about and it's easy to focus on them, but where lack of mental toughness it's most obvious is the offense. Since Ward and D went down to injury they've failed miserably, doing nothing to raise their game. Where injuries on the defensive side force an adoption of "the best defense is a good offense", they've consistently blown. Almost all scoring has come from 1 line, and only 1 goal per game. Maintaining pressure and forcing the opponent to adjust and make mistakes you can exploit takes heat off your D and keeps your #2 and #3 goalies from being routinely molested, and 1 line can't do it all, all the time. For most of these recent losses in the last 10 games, turning them into wins as played would require they be 1-0 shutouts that even healthy, defensively-elite teams can't manage in bunches.

They need goals from the 2nd line and for the 3rd and 4th to at least get some garbage chances. They need to play like they own 2/3 of the ice, at least, and be agressive about it. It's easy to tell who's actually doing those extra things because it stands out so easily while they others are on their heels chasing most of the time vs every single team they've faced recently. Once upon a time the best thing they could say this season was they didn't lose after leading during the breaks, but that is over and has been for awhile. Now, not only can't they protect a lead, they deflate like a tired balloon when challenged and the idea that they could comeback to actually win is an one that doesn't mesh with the going-through-the-motions performance by too many on the ice. Those players aren't physically tough, and the are mentally weak. That makes this team glory-fodder, the kind others make comebacks against.

A slightly higher draft pick won't fix what ails this team, because it's been ailing since last season, and the one before that, and the one before that. They need to win every game they can eke out instead of being comfortable all summer how they lost...again.

Well, you seem to be in favor of winning meaningless games and finishing 9th every year. I am not. It doesn't work. Ask Florida/Calgary/etc..

 

[Clark Gillies]

I actually think that Skinner J. and Ruutu are going to have a good night - I am predicting 2 goals, with each getting 2 points.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Well, you seem to be in favor of winning meaningless games and finishing 9th every year. I am not. It doesn't work. Ask Florida/Calgary/etc..

In fairness, Florida picks 3rd or 4th like every year and STILL doesn't win...

 

[Anton Babchuk]

You would think that any one of this team's many super hot second half runs to 11th place would have resulted in some sort of "winning culture" by now. How did none of those runs teach anyone to win, but this one will?

Three years ago we had this debate. The team got hot in the second half and and then when the next season rolled around it was the same old story of a mediocre team going through the motions. The only tangible result from this second half hot streak is that we have a perpetually concussed 1-trick pony instead of Taylor Hall.

The difference between a top 5 pick and 14th overall is not "slight".

The fact that this team has picked once in the top 10 and zero in the top 5 despite missing the playoffs five of the last seven years is a big reason they are where they are today. They basically have two thirds of an awful second line, an AHL bust and Ryan Murphy from all of that trouble.

But at least they learned to win, right?

 

[CanesUltimate11]

Just saw the JR interview. It amazes me that it seems he doesn't even comprehend the concept of being a seller. And spoke in terms of us only being a buyer. Never even mentioned ONCE about fielding calls about shipping some of these losers out. Just about giving up prospects and picks...not acquiring them!

For Goodness sake, would someone please please give this guy a clue.

I'd like to think that JR is smart enough not to tell the media who he was looking to trade and have those players potentionaly just give up on the team since they figure they are gone anyway, especially when the team still controls they're own destiny.

Or he is so out to lunch he doesn't consider selling.

I'm going with the former myself.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Pittsburgh: Crosby, Malkin

Chicago: Toews, Kane

The above is why the Penguins and Blackhawks won the Cup, not because they finished 9th several years in a row while trying really hard and creating a winning culture. The last two times we've had a top 5 pick we drafted two guys that are now NHL captains. Do you think we'll create a winning culture by missing out on the playoffs and drafting crappy players? Or drafting another captain that will bring a winning culture while also, you know, knowing how to play hockey?

 

[What the Faulk]

And LA, Boston, Detroit, Anaheim and even these Hurricanes won the cup without getting multiple top picks. There's more than one way to do it.

 

[Novacane]

Good start

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Wow, PK direct. Perfect start.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

And LA, Boston, Detroit, Anaheim and even these Hurricanes won the cup without getting multiple top picks. There's more than one way to do it.

Riding the coattails of our best player, a 2nd overall pick.

No one is saying that you CAN'T win a Cup without several top 5 picks in a row. But actually arguing that it's better to finish 9th than have a top 5 pick? Silly, to me anyway.

 

[sticknpuck]

diving into the boards hurts. ****ing refs.

 

[gocanes88]

 

[sticknpuck]

good kill.

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Good pass from Sangs there.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Sitting down for this game and realizing how little interest I have in it, or its result.

This is weird, this hasn't happened before...

 

[Novacane]

Finally a good shift from the 2nd line.

 

[What the Faulk]

So LaRose is a fourth liner tonight.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

So LaRose is a fourth liner for the last 7 years.

Fixed.

 

[sticknpuck]

Thank you post

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Why didn't you shoot Sasha?