GDT: Pre-season: Canes vs. Caps,

[Novacane]

Okay that was neat

 

[Wolfpuck]

Versteeg with the OT goal

Nice passing

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Canes score in OT, but fall 2-0 to the Caps

 

[DaleCooper]

For some reason I was under the impression that there would be a 5 minute 4 on 4 before it went to 3 on 3. That was not as dumb as the shootout but was still pretty bizarre.

 

[Quacktastic]

It seems like if they really wanted to let the teams get practice with the 3v3 they would let the teams play a full 5 minutes regardless of how many goals were scored.

 

[BrindAmours Army]

I think Tolchinsky and Ryan both had good games, but Tolchinsky stood out the most in my opinion. Fleury seemed confident and had good positioning.

 

[nobuddy]

Tolchinsky was pretty terrible, not gonna sugarcoat it.

 

[HisIceness]

Versteeg scored, that's fine w/ me. Versteeg for president 2016.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Yeah, I'm with SG. I didn't think Tolchinsky looked very good on the whole.

 

[CandyCanes]

I think Tolchinsky and Ryan both had good games, but Tolchinsky stood out the most in my opinion. Fleury seemed confident and had good positioning.

He coughed up a puck behind the net that led quickly to the 2nd goal of the game. I saw a few things that I liked in his game, but overall he didn't look that impressive to me unfortunately.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Tolchinsky was pretty terrible, not gonna sugarcoat it.

I disagree. Tolchinsky was one of the highlights.

Also I didn't watch the game.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Tolchinsky was pretty terrible, not gonna sugarcoat it.

He made two bad plays. He wasn't terrible at all. His forecheck was as good as anyone else's in white. He's clearly not ready for the show, but terrible is a bit harsh.

 

[TheOllieC]

Tolchinsky will need some time but it's refreshing watching someone with that much puck skill.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Tolchinsky will need some time but it's refreshing watching someone with that much puck skill.

I think that's the most important thing about him. In an organization that severely lacks skilled forwards, Tolchinksy is a breath of fresh air.

He may not be ready now, but that natural ability gives him a leg up on any future openings in the lineup.

 

[Brock Anton]

Canes score in OT, but fall 2-0 to the Caps

#history

 

[Whalermania]

I thought Ryan looked good and would like to see what he can do with more veteran line mates. I'd like to see more of him as the 3rd line center instead of Nash.
On defense Biega and Fleury played well. Murphy had a rough game.

 

[nobuddy]

He made two bad plays. He wasn't terrible at all. His forecheck was as good as anyone else's in white. He's clearly not ready for the show, but terrible is a bit harsh.

No, he made two horrendous plays and both were against actual NHL players. One led to a goal.

I'm not one to make snap judgments usually, but it was abundantly clear that he isn't at all ready.

Obviously I realize what his potential represents to our organization, and obviously I'm rooting for him. Have to call a spade a spade though.

Lack, Versteeg, Biega, and to a lesser extent Fleury and Ryan were the highlights in my eyes.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I thought Murphy and Lowe both struggled the most on defense. Lowe just looked completely over-matched and although it's only 1 pre-season game, Murphy looked worse than he did at the end of last season. Agree Biega looked good, except for the play where he shot it into Ovi's shins which led to a break-away. But in fairness, Biega had the best, most reliable partner in Hainsey so he could afford to play a little more confidently and aggressively knowing Hainsey was more reliable and that he didn't have to worry about covering for him. It showed.

Fleury and Pesce had to play the role of Hainsey on their pairings, as they had to cover more for Murphy and Lowe. I thought both of them fared pretty well given their partners and that Peters wasn't worried about match-ups at all. Pesce played confidently and for the most part, I liked his game. He seemed to wear down a bit late in the game and struggled more, but that's to be expected to some extent. Fleury, as I stated earlier, just makes it look easy and since he wasn't taking a lot of chances, doesn't stand out, but made nice reads and had some nice, crisp passes.

 

[Ole Gil]

Tolchinsky is going to be more than fine. The problems are simple teachable issues. The positives are things he brings to the table that aren't available elsewhere. The recovery he made on both turnovers in 3on3 when he lost the puck, then promptly took it back was a nice highlight of where he's going.

The speed/agility/skill/instinct combo makes him a hell of a puck hound, and that's what's going to do the most to get him a roster spot rather than fancy between the leg breakaway highlights.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I don't think anybody is saying he won't be fine.

 

[HoneyBrownTown]

I was at the game, so a few notes...

Tolchinsky was our most noticeable player. He was all over the ice. He was up against 8 a lot last night and handled it fine. Doesn't mean he was our best, though.

Lack gives up a ton of rebounds. A ton. That said, me made some really amazing saves. I wouldn't be surprised if he is our number one.

Canes need to shoot the puck. Part of that problem was that they didn't seem to be creating space in the zone, though. They bunched up a good bit, and that hurts possession time.

Boychuk played last night? I think it's time to part ways with him. (I knew he was playing, but he was non-existent)

Riley Nash played decent hockey.

Brody Sutter is huge, but he will be in Charlotte.

Are we interested in wingers at all? IMHO we have three wingers listed that would make any other NHL roster. Gerbe, Skinner, and Versteeg.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I'll never understand Boychuk. He knows its his last chance (Hell, the past 3 years have been his "last" chance), but he's not playing like a guy fighting for an NHL career.

He was invisible in the Red/White game and last night.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I'll never understand Boychuk. He knows its his last chance (Hell, the past 3 years have been his "last" chance), but he's not playing like a guy fighting for an NHL career.

He was invisible in the Red/White game and last night.

Maybe it's as simple as he's just not that good. Some guys have an endless drive, determination and competitiveness, and some don't. Not saying that's the case with Boychuk, but maybe it is.

 

[Quacktastic]

Agreed. I've pretty much given up hope on Boychuk.

The optimist in me hopes Ryan Murphy can turn things around, but the pessimist sees him going down the same path as Boychuk. Great in the AHL, not competent enough in the NHL. Unless he regresses terribly this year I think we will still sign him to a cheap RFA contract and continue letting him develop for another year or two. Hopefully he can become a late bloomer, Dmen usually take a little longer to hit their stride.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Murphy is starting to look like a Jamie McBain, minus the 14-game talent teaser.