Ben Case: Reality and Potential-Canes Recent Skid Brings Reality Back The Canes are in the midst of a full on “dumpster-fire.” A little over a month ago, the Canes found themselves in a great position to make a playoff run. However, since January 17th, the Canes have gone an embarrassing 3-9-0 and been grossly outplayed numerous times.

Cam Ward blows.

Like, he's barely at back-up goalie quality.

That said, the blame doesn't fall solely upon him either. Ron Hainsey checked out 5 games ago, Noah Hanifin has zero confidence with the puck at all right now, and if you're a forward and your name isn't Aho, Lindholm or Di Giuseppe, you should be (frank)ing ashamed of yourself and your effort the past few games.

Cam Ward blows.

Like, he's barely at back-up goalie quality.

That said, the blame doesn't fall solely upon him either. Ron Hainsey checked out 5 games ago, Noah Hanifin has zero confidence with the puck at all right now, and if you're a forward and your name isn't Aho, Lindholm or Di Giuseppe, you should be (frank)ing ashamed of yourself and your effort the past few games.
- BINGO!

The decline since mid-December with Ward has been ugly. I think GMRF needed a goalie who was fine with poor D and low O. Ward had already put up with 6-7 straight years of that and said, "meh, what's another year."

I do hope they bring in a goalie, however, bringing a young goalie into a struggling O and D team can ruin them. I am glad we didn't do a big move to destroy someone's confidence this year. Ideally, they will bring in a legit starter next year and then decide on Ward/Lack for the back-up.

I don't think anyone would take either of them, even if the Canes retained salary.

The decline since mid-December with Ward has been ugly. I think GMRF needed a goalie who was fine with poor D and low O. Ward had already put up with 6-7 straight years of that and said, "meh, what's another year."

I do hope they bring in a goalie, however, bringing a young goalie into a struggling O and D team can ruin them. I am glad we didn't do a big move to destroy someone's confidence this year. Ideally, they will bring in a legit starter next year and then decide on Ward/Lack for the back-up.

I don't think anyone would take either of them, even if the Canes retained salary.
- BenCase

Pretty much. I think there will be options this offseason for an improved stopgap if need be, but you're right that nobody is going to take Cam or Eddie off our hands.

I look forward to the offseason, because I think the cap crunch on a lot of teams is going to open up opportunities for the Canes to acquire good players without gutting the team.

I wish GM Francis was as astute at assembling talent as he was at playing hockey!
Unfortunately, he thinks he can skimp on spending for players... a lot of cheap guys
doesn't make a team! Real skill doesn't come CHEAP!!

I wish GM Francis was as astute at assembling talent as he was at playing hockey!
Unfortunately, he thinks he can skimp on spending for players... a lot of cheap guys
doesn't make a team! Real skill doesn't come CHEAP!!
- randycane

You realize that they spend cheap on players right now because the team isn't making any money and isn't really in a place to be competitive anyway, right?

depth is all just cheap poopty plugs until the core is ready... Do you have no concept of this plan?

Tatar, Jurco, and a 1st for Bean/Fleury and Murphy.

How's Teuvo playing? Haven't watched any Cane's games. I know he's never going to barrell into corners or rush the net, but is he playing well defensively at least?

How's Teuvo playing? Haven't watched any Cane's games. I know he's never going to barrell into corners or rush the net, but is he playing well defensively at least?
- kinigitt

He's been fine. About what one expected. Still kind of finding his way but occasionally creates a magical play. If he had linemates who could finish off one or two of those plays it'd be great.

Common theme amongst the Hurricanes is that every line has SOMEBODY on it that an't reeive a pass to save their lives.

He's been fine. About what one expected. Still kind of finding his way but occasionally creates a magical play. If he had linemates who could finish off one or two of those plays it'd be great.

Common theme amongst the Hurricanes is that every line has SOMEBODY on it that an't reeive a pass to save their lives.
- BINGO!

It doesn't help that we keep switching him from center and wing either. Isn't there a certain young top-6 forward on the market potentially because of this same issue. They need to decide: Is he a wing or is he a center? Then, stick with it unless injuries force a change.

100% on his linemates too. Coach Peters has been spreading out his offensive talent through 3 lines making them all "sort of good."

I'd keep him on the wing. He can still be a playmaker on the wing, and the tough down low assignments can go to someone with more meat on the bones.

I'd keep him on the wing. He can still be a playmaker on the wing, and the tough down low assignments can go to someone with more meat on the bones.
- kinigitt

Eh. He's been more effetive at C

I'll take your word for it. He got ragdolled when they experimented with him on C in chicago. Not a bad faceoff guy though.

in the pens/canes game last night, i thought they (the canes) played the better game over the full 60 minutes. but they did not take advantage of 5 PP (going 1 for 5). With sid or geno in the box for 10 minutes last night, they could have put a few behind murray. they also did not get one behind him on a # of odd man rushes. the pens found their legs in the 3rd period and the canes just slowed considerably. they out hit the pens, won more faceoffs and had more shots on goal. but could not convert those stats into goals.

in the pens/canes game last night, i thought they (the canes) played the better game over the full 60 minutes. but they did not take advantage of 5 PP (going 1 for 5). With sid or geno in the box for 10 minutes last night, they could have put a few behind murray. they also did not get one behind him on a # of odd man rushes. the pens found their legs in the 3rd period and the canes just slowed considerably. they out hit the pens, won more faceoffs and had more shots on goal. but could not convert those stats into goals.
- i'mjustafan

Common problem the past few years. Lots of opportunities, no finish.