Real nice (and accurate) article! Thanks for all your insight. I ALWAYS read your informative pieces, EVEN IF ...I sometimes don't take the time to say so!
My feeling is the skill/ skating ability on this team is NEAR ELITE... tempered by the inconsistent FINISHING... not scoring on REAL GOOD CHANCES! Defense has been quite good, and WARDO has been way more steady, as of late, than I'd ever thought possible...OF HIM...WOW!!!
THIS...despite the absence of Staal AND Lindy...
I'm sure non-Canes fans have little appreciation of the level of skill that this team has...
...any time I dare say Ward looks steady...EVEN SURPRISES ME...!!???
Leading the league in Penalty Kill... should tell knowledgeable fans SUMPIN, HUH?
?..?..?
Hope other teams continue to overlook this talented team... I know I did!!
- randycane
Glad you enjoy them, thanks for the feedback-always appreciated. I can't disagree with that assessment either.
The Canes have some very gifted skaters, it'll be interesting to see how their games develop and what the true ceiling is. It's amazed me how many teams have started their backups against the Canes too, but no complaints.
I don't think many realize how tough it is for goalies to come back from injuries, let alone going from Cup contenders to being lottery pick likely team. Between those two aspects, it's no surprise (and the consistent hypersensitivity on his play due to contract cost) that he began to not enjoy hockey. Goalie is already a mentally tough position, add in not wanting to play or enjoying it and it becomes a very daunting task night in and out. It's good to see him having fun again and it's made the difference in his play-you can see he wants to stop pucks, not just collect a paycheck.
After the next 25 games when we are at game 53-54 mark, it'll be interesting to see what this team looks like and if they decide to buy or sell. If it's sell, I'm not sure they have much to offer that they'd be willing to part ways with.
