News & Notes XLIV: Revenge of the Seth

[A Star is Burns]

I think chemistry can also tend to be a bit overrated in general and rarely lasts super long term. Guys need to be able to plug and play in different spots at any given time. Slap em together for as long as they are working and then move on. I think you're just hoping to ideally find like 2.5-3 lines really clicking at a time and another 1-1.5 that aren't killing you or one that's producing at a supernova level for as long as it can. If that's not happening, you move on pretty quick.

 

[robbieberns]

Could say a lot about Kotkaniemi and him being a massive disappointment and how him panning out to be a mediocre 3C instead of even reaching average 2C level has been up there with goaltending inconsistencies that have stopped us from breaking through in the playoffs above the other top teams in the East. For me he’s just such a symbol of the nearly there but not quite era and honestly would love to see the back of him.

 

[hblueridgegal]

How can anyone expect to build chemistry if they're with a different linemate every game? Sometimes even every period? Sure, there are some instances of instant chemistry, but we kept the same lines/lineup for about a month, and now we're using the blender every game.

Now don't get me wrong, the performance last game was Pathetic with a capital P and rolling with the same lines next game doesn't make sense. So I get switching them up. But there's got to be a rhyme or reason for the new lines, or else it just seems like he's throwing things together to see what sticks.

Right now, the only constants in the forward group is "Aho is on the top line, Staal is on the 3rd, KK is on the bottom with Blake". Every other forward has jumped around.

What about the execution costs - the meltdowns because someone misses a pass or makes a mistake/turnover due to unfamiliarity or being out of synch with their new line mates speed, positioning, etc.?

 

[chaz4hockey]

I’d wager that most Canes fans would have said Staal was our slowest. Nope….its Blake. He has great moves and just needs to work on his speed game in the offseason.

 

[A Star is Burns]

I’d wager that most Canes fans would have said Staal was our slowest. Nope….its Blake. He has great moves and just needs to work on his speed game in the offseason.

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At the same time, there are a few really awesome players and a bunch of really useful players on that list around him.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I’d wager that most Canes fans would have said Staal was our slowest. Nope….its Blake. He has great moves and just needs to work on his speed game in the offseason.

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I'm guessing that wingers that don't get to carry the puck a lot, particularly early in the season have lower top speeds. Centers have to typically go from in deep back the other direction so have more space to hit top speed. Guys like Necas that get to wind it up on the PP also have more room to reach top speed. Just a guess.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I'm guessing that wingers that don't get to carry the puck a lot, particularly early in the season have lower top speeds. Centers have to typically go from in deep back the other direction so have more space to hit top speed. Guys like Necas that get to wind it up on the PP also have more room to reach top speed. Just a guess.

I’d also add that being a rookie probably plays a part. He’s still adjusting to the speed of the NHL, probably taking the half-a-second to recognize breakouts, etc. Once he gets experience and confidence, his skating will likely catch up.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Slavin looks so shy while sharing secrets...

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Rod plays favorites. We know that.

KK had a bad game with two turnovers leading to goals against. Roslovic has done that consistently for 4-6 games now. Drury was promoted to the 2nd line, but has only 2 points in his last 10 games. And it was a lost faceoff by Drury that led directly to Florida's last second goal in the 2nd period on Saturday. Why RBA went with Drury (who was struggling in the dot that game) vs Staal (who was around 70% at the time), I couldn't tell you.

yeah Drury over Koko makes no sense and is bullshit. Overall I can't complain about Rod but he has his weak areas like any coach and decisions like this from choosing favorites may be his weakest.

Honestly, as much as I really do like Staal and see the value of his defensive game, I'm not sure we really take that last step forward to winning a Cup until we move him out to create opportunity at center and acquire a legit all around 2C who is a scoring threat. Staal was essentially still our 2C even with Tro here because Rod plays him so damn much and he's our 2C this year.

Kotkaniemi and his play definitely deserve some blame for his development and progress here but I also can't help but think that Rod has been hindering his development as well with decisions like this. This was the perfect year to give Koko a real opportunity/chance at 2C, give him 2C minutes and opportunity and see how he does with it. Instead, 1 poor game and he immediately is demoted below other players who are worse than him in Drury and Staal. Staal's presence, while good defensively, is holding back other players considerably.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Variables aplenty leading to the decline, I imagine.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Yep, Necas has cooled off and we have no goalie. That'll affect the goal differential for sure.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Yep, Necas has cooled off and we have no goalie. That'll affect the goal differential for sure.

Better competition too? Line o rama?

J Fresh says the goalie situation has no bearing in these numbers.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Such a fun interview..he's so at ease.

 

[To Be Determined]

yeah Drury over Koko makes no sense and is bullshit. Overall I can't complain about Rod but he has his weak areas like any coach and decisions like this from choosing favorites may be his weakest.

Honestly, as much as I really do like Staal and see the value of his defensive game, I'm not sure we really take that last step forward to winning a Cup until we move him out to create opportunity at center and acquire a legit all around 2C who is a scoring threat. Staal was essentially still our 2C even with Tro here because Rod plays him so damn much and he's our 2C this year.

Kotkaniemi and his play definitely deserve some blame for his development and progress here but I also can't help but think that Rod has been hindering his development as well with decisions like this. This was the perfect year to give Koko a real opportunity/chance at 2C, give him 2C minutes and opportunity and see how he does with it. Instead, 1 poor game and he immediately is demoted below other players who are worse than him in Drury and Staal. Staal's presence, while good defensively, is holding back other players considerably.

we are stacking the deck to present drury as a legit 2c, so we can just add a pick to him for giroux.

pretty please, universe?

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

yeah Drury over Koko makes no sense and is bullshit. Overall I can't complain about Rod but he has his weak areas like any coach and decisions like this from choosing favorites may be his weakest.

Honestly, as much as I really do like Staal and see the value of his defensive game, I'm not sure we really take that last step forward to winning a Cup until we move him out to create opportunity at center and acquire a legit all around 2C who is a scoring threat. Staal was essentially still our 2C even with Tro here because Rod plays him so damn much and he's our 2C this year.

Kotkaniemi and his play definitely deserve some blame for his development and progress here but I also can't help but think that Rod has been hindering his development as well with decisions like this. This was the perfect year to give Koko a real opportunity/chance at 2C, give him 2C minutes and opportunity and see how he does with it. Instead, 1 poor game and he immediately is demoted below other players who are worse than him in Drury and Staal. Staal's presence, while good defensively, is holding back other players considerably.

If you ignore all the metrics, sure it makes no sense and is "bullshit". KK's numbers are the worst for all centers in Carolina while facing the easiest competition.

At what point are we going stop blaming MTL and stop blaming the Canes about his lackluster performance. Martinook has been way better than KK over the past 2 years and people freak out when Martinook gets in the top 6, yet complain when KK doesn't get played there.

Drury doesn't belong in the top 6 either, but unfortunately we have few options.

As far as Rod plays Staal as 2C. In his last 2 seasons here, Trocheck only trailed Aho in his TOI/GP for forwards.

 

[chaz4hockey]

If you ignore all the metrics, sure it makes no sense and is "bullshit". KK's numbers are the worst for all centers in Carolina while facing the easiest competition.

At what point are we going stop blaming MTL and stop blaming the Canes about his lackluster performance. Martinook has been way better than KK over the past 2 years and people freak out when Martinook gets in the top 6, yet complain when KK doesn't get played there.

Drury doesn't belong in the top 6 either, but unfortunately we have few options.

As far as Rod plays Staal as 2C. In his last 2 seasons here, Trocheck only trailed Aho in his TOI/GP for forwards.

I have been on the keep KK bandwagon but set this year as the final trial period. Early on, I thought he was a good Staal replacement but now I think it should be Drury.

He needs to step up or go.

 

[cptjeff]