What went wrong with the Canes down the stretch? They looked like a lock for the playoffs. Why didn't they make it?
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What happened to the Canes?
so much for the cam ward
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 7, 2008 - 5:43pm.
so much for the cam ward hype. the only consistent about him is his being inconsistent. might as well say the smae thing about the "WIZARD" whitney, they need to trade this guy.
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Whitney is not trade bait.
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 8, 2008 - 12:14pm.
Whitney is not trade bait. he was hurt, as was most of the team disclosed or not. Healthy he is an asset to the team.
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What?
Submitted by greenearth on April 11, 2008 - 5:26pm.
He did shoulder a Brodeur style schedule and was one of the hottest goalies down the stretch. I didn't think any of the 4 goals the last game were his fault. He certainly was as inconsistent during the year as were the rest of the Canes so try again with the finger pointing...
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KEEP THE COACH!!
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on May 12, 2008 - 11:27am.
KEEP THE COACH....HE IS THE BEST FOR THIS TEAM HERE AND NOW!!
The team needs to getter better defensively to be a true top tier team. Joe Corvo is a stud and will help quarterback that group. Cam Ward has to pull it together night after night and he needs a dependable backup so he stays fresh and sharp.
The injuries took their toll and the hole dug was too deep last season. The talent on offense is there. If the team can get healthy coupled with the GREAT additions via trades and the call ups from Albany late last year the team will be deeper and stronger for next season. Let get our players healthy....and mold this group back into a contender for the cup. The Canes are at the doorstep.
Eric Staal has to be the true leader of the team and later in the season he really stepped up. Rod Brind'Amour needs to step back get healthy. He can shore up a solid third line and provide that awesome face off prowess and defensive ability and be the veteran leader that he is, but let Staal be the man.
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Too Little, Too Late
Submitted by DekeGeek (not verified) on April 7, 2008 - 10:04am.
The Hurricanes made two excellent trades (Stillman/Commodore for Corvo/Eaves and Ladd for Rutuu) and picked up a great player off of waivers from Chicago (Samsonov), but they waited too long to get better on defense. This cost them some key points prior to the trade deadline. Not being able to pull off a win against the Caps in their final two meetings of the season was also a huge blow (and inexcusable to boot). Even winning 10 out of their last 15 wasn't enough to save them. In the end, the Caps just wanted it more. Lets just hope there isn't a big fire sale in July. The Canes are almost certain to loose/drop Sergei Samsonov and Jeff Hamilton. My chips are on both Wesley and Hedican to retire as well. Both now have a Stanley Cup under their belts and are looking at an uphill battle if they want to make it back to the playoffs with the 'Canes.
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The Caps are just a better
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 7, 2008 - 10:31am.
The Caps are just a better team, plain and simple.
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They Choked!
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 7, 2008 - 11:52am.
You don't get three chances in a week to seal the deal very often in sports. The Canes decided to go back to the inconsistency that's plagued them since they won the Cup. Well, now they're they only team in history to miss the playoffs 2-straight years in a row after winning the Cup. Well done Canes! You make me so proud!
It was a mistake to bring back Hedican and Wesley at the start of the season. But they had to because they gave up too quickly on Jack Johnson after last year.
Ward was amazing down the stretch, but I agree that he wasn't ready for the Brodeur-like playing time. But now that he's been through it, he should be better for it next year. It's too bad that the defense left him out to dry in that last game against Florida.
As for the offense, they wasted too much time all season long looking for the extra pass or the pretty play when all they had to do was shoot the puck.
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Yes and No
Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 7, 2008 - 12:15pm.
You're right, 3 chances to clinch and not doing is inexcusable. However, while I was on the "I can't believe they traded Jack Johnson" bus, look at the facts. Gleason had better stats this year. Predicting the future on D-men is nearly impossible - so looking at the here and now - Gleason was the right move. At age 23 Ward had more wins than Brodeur at the same age (95-96 season) - however, Brodeur had better GAA and Save % which led to NJ getting more ties (remember those) - thus more points and a playoff berth that year. We're kidding ourselves if Cam is going to be the next Martin Brodeur because that's just not fair. Our offense was clearly not a problem this year - I agree with you, the D needed to be better. Gleason, Corvo, Wallin, Kaberle and Seidenberg are a good mix. With Wesley and Hedican gone next year, if they can get a bid D-man, this D will be much better.
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well...
Submitted by greenearth on April 11, 2008 - 5:33pm.
Gotta agree with your assessment of the early season inconsistency being the main reason for having it come down to the last game of the season. As far as Hedican...uh he lead the team in plus/minus and was relatively healthy all season and I thought Wesley was fine all year. Jack Johnson decided he wanted to drink cheap beer with his friends at Michigan rather than winning a Stanley Cup with the Canes. Rutherford had no choice but to try to get something for him since you couldn't tell what he was going to do...maybe he would have re-entered the draft if not signed by the draft team. The Canes can pick up a Jack Johnson via free agency. Ward is ready for the Brodeur schedule cuz he just did it...I didn't find any fault with Ward in the final game...odd man rushes, breakaways and a solid effort by the Panthers doomed them that game.
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Cam Ward wasn't ready to
Cam Ward wasn't ready to shoulder a Marty Broduer-schedule. The defense needs a revamped core and more attention played to defensively minded hockey. Rod Brind'Amour's leadership and ability to win face-offs would have put the Canes over the hump, but until the defensive end is taken care of, they're not a true Stanley Cup contender.