GDT: MONTREAL AHO-LESS @ CAROLINA AHO-FUL

[MinJaBen]

Anyone else spend way too much time focused on the thought that the ice was causing terrible play?

It's possible that a) the ice wasn't terrible and/or b) the two teams weren't playing not-good....but my layman's eye was telling me that this wasn't a good game of the hockeys.

I actually watched that quite a bit last night and thought the ice was decent, especially considering how hot it was outside. I think the misfires was more a case of rusty play for both teams given the way preseasons are these days than it was an ice issue.

 

[Unsustainable]

My takeaways:

Dzingle gets in the right places, just needs a little adjustment on his shot.

Haula pretty good so far, like what I see.

Necas still shows all of that skill and speed.

some defensive goofs by Foegele, he needs to get back to a basic game.

 

[WreckingCrew]

I actually watched that quite a bit last night and thought the ice was decent, especially considering how hot it was outside. I think the misfires was more a case of rusty play for both teams given the way preseasons are these days than it was an ice issue.

That's more my thoughts, I didn't think the ice looked particularly bad by any means. Most of our miscue's (ESPECIALLY in the 2nd period) were just us playing hot-potato and trying to immediately pass or play the puck, often to somebody who wasn't even there. Lots of errant and rushed passes or failed communication

 

[Svechhammer]

The only time the ice looked really bad to me was on the Foegele breakaway where it just rolled over his blade and he couldn't get a shot off.

Other than that, it looked fine

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

The only complaint I have from last night is the management of Fleury. He only got 3 shifts for a little less than 2 minutes of ice time in the 3rd. I thought he looked solid through the first 2. Effectively benching him felt undeserved. It's not the playoffs anymore. If you don't want to put him out there on the right side in that situation, mix him in with a double shifted Pesce or Hamilton. Play him on the PK. To earn the trust of the coaches, he needs the opportunity to do so.

 

[AD Skinner]

I wouldn't have noticed fleury not playing if john hadn't pointed it out, but for real- if he isnt going to play, let's go ahead and trade him before his value gets torpedoed by noting getting to play

 

[robbieberns]

Another thought is that while I didn’t think he had a bad game, the emergence of Necas and acquisition of Dzingel means that Nino needs to be consistently contributing and noticeable to stay in the top 6. I think from the second he signed here Dzingel has been a man on a mission, and he’s going to do everything he can to show he deserves time with the big boys.

 

[My Special Purpose]

The only time the ice looked really bad to me was on the Foegele breakaway where it just rolled over his blade and he couldn't get a shot off.

Other than that, it looked fine

Using Warren Foegele's stickhandling as a judge of ice condition will lead to an overwhelmingly negative opinion of NHL ice around the league.

 

[Tryamw]

Using Warren Foegele's stickhandling as a judge of ice condition will lead to an overwhelmingly negative opinion of NHL ice around the league.

And here I thought he had the best hands... McLovin'... OK Sorry I'll show myself out...

 

[CandyCanes]

Anyone else impressed with James Reimer last night? He didn’t give up any goals in his Hurricanes debut.

 

[My Special Purpose]

Anyone else impressed with James Reimer last night? He didn’t give up any goals in his Hurricanes debut.

You jest, but Reimer is a good goalie. He was hung out to dry by the Panthers' horribad defense last season. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he made us forget about Curtis McElhinney pretty quickly.

 

[Svechhammer]

You jest, but Reimer is a good goalie. He was hung out to dry by the Panthers' horribad defense last season. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he made us forget about Curtis McElhinney pretty quickly.

Yeah, if you look at his numbers when he played behind a defense that didn't suck (i.e his short stint in San Jose) you'll see what has the potential to completely solidify the goalie position in Raleigh

 

[MinJaBen]

You jest, but Reimer is a good goalie. He was hung out to dry by the Panthers' horribad defense last season. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he made us forget about Curtis McElhinney pretty quickly.

In related news, how's that Bob signing Panther fans? I know it was the lightning, but five goals against is not the start I bet they were hoping for.

 

[The S5]

The only time the ice looked really bad to me was on the Foegele breakaway where it just rolled over his blade and he couldn't get a shot off.

Other than that, it looked fine

That had nothing to do with the ice!!! Foegele just bit the apple.
Good atmosphere at the arena last night.
Hard to make assessments after one game but:

Haula - not overly impressed. lost nearly every puck battle.
Dzingle - didn't play poorly, just seemed a bit nervous.
Ed - Not bad. I think he is going to fit in well here. Definitely brings some physicality to the back end.
Foegele - he was just awful last night. Maybe pressing, but was bad all over the ice.
McGinn - there is no way that he is a top 6, NO WAY. Once TT was move to Aho's line, they immediately began to dominate the puck and spent most of their time in the O zone. I am hoping Necas can step up to play with Staal and Svech because when Svech was out there with McGinn and Staal is was a slog. Svech needs other skilled players out there with him to be really effective.
Marty - loved the energy, but a really dumb boarding penalty. you do get the sense that he loves playing here.
Jake - I think he is as advertised. Good puck mover with lots of skill. Not very physical but held his own defensively
Aho - stud. I really hope Rod gets to a point where he has no choice buy to pair him with Svech.

Overall, take the win and move on. There was some sloppy defensive play, which can be fixed. I'm hoping we can get the top 6 line combo's right. We really need to get our top guys rolling.

 

[zman77]

 

[zman77]

Dzingel/Haula/Necas
by Matt Karash | Oct 3, 2019 | The Drive Home
I had this as my third line from before training camp started. Once put together around the midway point of the game (Necas started on Wallmark’s line), this line reminded me of Whitney/Cullen/LaRose from the 2005-06 season. Both trios have enough speed and skill to exert significant pressure on the opposing defense and exploit match ups against lesser defenders. Dzingel and Necas both have the same effortless skating ability that is fast in straight lines but maybe more importantly gives them a ‘swooping’ ability that constantly moves to find open ice space with or without the puck.
Gm1 Vs. Mon: Canes win exciting 2019-20 opener 4-3 over the Canadiens in a shootout | Canes & Coffee

 

[zman77]

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Again, I think that McGinn was in the top-6 so that Dzingel could adjust to the team and his injuries.

 

[bleedgreen]

Tripp and John said Rod wanted one guy who could be a physical presence on all four lines, McGinn drew the number one line straw. Hopefully that’s not a real thing in terms of long term wants.

 

[Stubu]

Two out of three stars were Czechs

Friendship with Finland is over! Czech Republic our new best friend now!

We'll go sulk with Hamilton and we may hijack Perkele the Pig until we get a star again.

 

[Stubu]

Mrazek is the perfect shootout goalie. He ****ing loves it.

His goalie cellies are a thing of beauty and vengeance. He comes out from the net like a scary tank from a '80s mecha movie

 

[Stickpucker]

Tripp and John said Rod wanted one guy who could be a physical presence on all four lines, McGinn drew the number one line straw. Hopefully that’s not a real thing in terms of long term wants.

Svech could be that physical presence on the 1st.

 

[vorbis]

His goalie cellies are a thing of beauty and vengeance. He comes out from the net like a scary tank from a '80s mecha movie

the final horn sounds, Mrazek emerges from his crease and his voice changes "AUTOBOTS, ASSEMBLE FOR SURGE CELLY"

although maybe that should be reserved for Optimus Reim

 

[bleedgreen]

Svech could be that physical presence on the 1st.

I think Nino does a good enough job and I’d much prefer him to McGinn. I agree we made need to get Svech away from Staal if we want numbers. If we want to keep Svech’s next contract manageable then keep him right where he is.

 

[geehaad]

The only complaint I have from last night is the management of Fleury. He only got 3 shifts for a little less than 2 minutes of ice time in the 3rd. I thought he looked solid through the first 2. Effectively benching him felt undeserved. It's not the playoffs anymore. If you don't want to put him out there on the right side in that situation, mix him in with a double shifted Pesce or Hamilton. Play him on the PK. To earn the trust of the coaches, he needs the opportunity to do so.

I was also going to comment on this. I did a bit of looking through his shifts in the 3rd and the game situation, and decided not to comment. Not because it isn't a valid point, but because it was mitigated a bit by the fact that the Hurricanes were pushing for an outright win, there was a PK and a PP in between his first and second shift, and (I think) there were 3 TV timeouts between his second and third shift. Too many opportunities for RBA to look past him...which, again, I don't like, but it moves the needle from actively keeping Fleury off the ice versus situations that allowed for a better alternative.