Ben Case: Canes "Myth-Busters" and the Peanut Gallery Almost two weeks ago, the Canes had their five-game winning streak snapped by Montreal in a tough 2-1 battle—this loss started a four-game trend for Ward as the Canes were either tied or leading in the third and lost. Immediately following the Montreal game, my Twitter feed was filled with negative Caniac chatter surrounding Cam’s inability to win, as well as questioning his ability to be a starter in the NHL. The flood gates opened following the loss to the Rangers on November 29th and have been pretty consistent up through this Sunday.

I hope I'm not jumping the gun but....

I would agree Cam is not the issue. The issue is the team's lack of aggressive play in the 3rd. We try to clog the zone in the 3rd. Cam typically bails the team out. He can't prevent a player from kicking it in his own goal. Those plays happen when your in zone 65+% of a period.

definitely happy to be done with the Canes for awhile, u guys are a pain in the ass

I hope I'm not jumping the gun but....

I would agree Cam is not the issue. The issue is the team's lack of aggressive play in the 3rd. We try to clog the zone in the 3rd. Cam typically bails the team out. He can't prevent a player from kicking it in his own goal. Those plays happen when your in zone 65+% of a period.
- gocanes0506

Currently, he definitely isn't the issue IMO-however, you are certainly right in saying that hopefully it isn't jumping the gun. Just because he has gone on a hot-streak does not exclude the possibility that he could regress and revert back to previous years statistics.

Now if you were to ask me what is a challenge for the future of the Canes as opposed to this particularly instance-then yes, I would say the future goaltending depth concerns me somewhere in the next 1-3 years-at some point, someone has to take the mantle from Ward.

The third period play has definitely been concerning-especially the turnovers that are occurring in tied or close games. Staal is notably a major loss in the past 4 games too. I read yesterday he skated in an individual workout, and CP has said he may be available for the 3-game road trip. That would be big.

http://mynhltraderumors.c...rke-macarthur/2016/12/05/

definitely happy to be done with the Canes for awhile, u guys are a pain in the ass
- jimbro83

Definitely three solid games-glad that we don't see NYR for a while too. Canes aren't the best team in NHL, but they certainly have given plenty of solid teams fits this year.

We've gone from "hard-working team that can't buy a save" to "hard working team that can't get a bounce."

By the time the bounces start going our way, Cam Ward will likely have remembered he's Cam Ward again.

We've gone from "hard-working team that can't buy a save" to "hard working team that can't get a bounce."

By the time the bounces start going our way, Cam Ward will likely have remembered he's Cam Ward again.
- BINGO!

Speaking of Ward, he's often said his career goal is to reach 300 wins. He has less than 30 to go to get there.

Speaking of Ward, he's often said his career goal is to reach 300 wins. He has less than 30 to go to get there.
- BINGO!

Fire him into the sun after win 300?

We've gone from "hard-working team that can't buy a save" to "hard working team that can't get a bounce."

By the time the bounces start going our way, Cam Ward will likely have remembered he's Cam Ward again.
- BINGO!

That's definitely a concern. Can't disagree with that. I think I saw 15 of 25 skaters dressed for Canes this year have 1 or less goals. That's like NJD 3rd and 4th line bad late Gm Lou era but worse.

Fire him into the sun after win 300?
- Wildschwein

I'd do it before, but we don't have anybody else ready.

I mean, unless we feel like watching Micheal Leighton pretend he's anywhere close to an NHL goaltender.

I'd do it before, but we don't have anybody else ready.

I mean, unless we feel like watching Micheal Leighton pretend he's anywhere close to an NHL goaltender.
- BINGO!

While it would amuse me, I can understand why you would choose not to.
What are the chances of the Canes scooping up another goalie this season?

That's definitely a concern. Can't disagree with that. I think I saw 15 of 25 skaters dressed for Canes this year have 1 or less goals. That's like NJD 3rd and 4th line bad late Gm Lou era but worse.
- BenCase

With the shot volume they get things should turn around. The team should be getting ready for it's annual January/February run of dominance.

5 points ahead of where they were at this time last year. If they can hold to that 5 points of improvement, they'll be close to pushing for a playoff spot.

While it would amuse me, I can understand why you would choose not to.
What are the chances of the Canes scooping up another goalie this season?
- Wildschwein

Virtually non-existent.

Virtually non-existent.
- BINGO!

Well that sucks.
I'd of thought with all the glorious cap space the Canes have that they'd be a front runner for Bishop.

Well that sucks.
I'd of thought with all the glorious cap space the Canes have that they'd be a front runner for Bishop.
- Wildschwein

Maybe in the offseason. I don't think Francis is willing to give up any assets to acquire a goalie who may only be around for 2 months, especially when we're already getting average goaltending and it's not pushing us any higher in the standings.

With the shot volume they get things should turn around. The team should be getting ready for it's annual January/February run of dominance.

5 points ahead of where they were at this time last year. If they can hold to that 5 points of improvement, they'll be close to pushing for a playoff spot.
- BINGO!

You would hope so. The SAT and USAT % are very favorable this season for Canes-rule of law is eventually they find the net.

After this 3-game road trip, they get another 2-week home stretch similar to the one they had in November-just weaker overall opponents. Extending to February 4th, 15 of the next 23 games are home. For a team that is 7-3-0 at home that could hold a surge in the standings. Nothing like home ice to help get guys heating up hopefully.

You would hope so. The SAT and USAT % are very favorable this season for Canes-rule of law is eventually they find the net.

After this 3-game road trip, they get another 2-week home stretch similar to the one they had in November-just weaker overall opponents. Extending to February 4th, 15 of the next 23 games are home. For a team that is 7-3-0 at home that could hold a surge in the standings. Nothing like home ice to help get guys heating up hopefully.
- BenCase

That and whatever comes back in the seemingly inevitable Ryan Murphy trade could provide enough of a nice boost.

Maybe in the offseason. I don't think Francis is willing to give up any assets to acquire a goalie who may only be around for 2 months, especially when we're already getting average goaltending and it's not pushing us any higher in the standings.
- BINGO!

Fair enough.

Well that sucks.
I'd of thought with all the glorious cap space the Canes have that they'd be a front runner for Bishop.
- Wildschwein

After the previous Ward contract (6 yr for $37M-so today's elite is now asking probably $7.5-8M) I think management is very skeptical to spend big bucks over what would likely have to be a 4-5 year contract on anyone 30+. I see them pursuing a 1A and 1B option to phase Ward out and limit his action in their ideal situation.

In terms of acquiring a goalie, I think it really depends on how Leighton performs in his next 1-2 starts. I imagine we see Leighton this week for sure-The Canes have a back-to-back Wed/TH and Coach Peters hasn't started one goalie on consecutive nights this year in the 3 back-to-backs they've had. In the next 9 games until Dec 23rd, the Canes have 3 sets of back-to-backs-I think Leighton will get 2-3 starts based on that before they think about "next plan."

If the Canes do miserably as a whole, they likely will wait until Draft/Free Agency to make any splash unless something miraculous is going on for Canes near the deadline. If Leighton does abysmal in his 2-3 starts but the team excels, I think the Canes have to decide if they want a run at playoffs or finish last or second to last in the Metro and get a better draft pick.

Another aspect to consider is that the Canes sit in a very favorable position for the expansion draft as a whole regarding 1-2 yr pro's automatically covered, as well as only having one player with a NMC. Not to mention, they have an extra set of 2nd and 3rd rd. picks. If they really wanted to make a move, they certainly have enough assets and picks to create a strong 1A/1B situation.

Finally, just because Lack isn't the answer this season doesn't discount him potentially making another push for the starting job next season. However, in the event of a trade, I would imagine he would be a component. My ideal scenario would be someone like Bernier. I'd do Bernier for Lack and 3rd in a heartbeat.

That and whatever comes back in the seemingly inevitable Ryan Murphy trade could provide enough of a nice boost.
- BINGO!

Yeah-Part IV deals with Ryan Murphy some. I wouldn't be complaining if the Canes were able to find trade-partners with PHX...they have a top-9 forward I think would excel with this team.

Yeah-Part IV deals with Ryan Murphy some. I wouldn't be complaining if the Canes were able to find trade-partners with PHX...they have a top-9 forward I think would excel with this team.
- BenCase

Don't you go stealing my "Murphy + for Hanzal" deal I've been talking about for weeks now.

Don't you go stealing my "Murphy + for Hanzal" deal I've been talking about for weeks now.
- BINGO!

Hanzal just seems to be a no-brainer target for Canes. For a team that struggles to create goals, obtaining a possession impact C seems very logical. Hanzal would give them 2 top 5 FO% guys who both are big too. Hanzal D-zone% is over 60 in Arizona-his Corsi is solid given that fact. He brings a lot of other aspects that Canes desperately need too. Him and Staal would be great to have for usage in the O and D zone and controlling possession and minimizing D-zone risks off the FO.

I'd be thrilled with a top 9 something along the lines of:

Skinner-Rask-Lindholm
Teravainen-Staal-Aho
Stalberg-Hanzal-Stempniak
4th line based on performance (Nordstrom, McGinn, Ryan, McClement, Nestrasil)

Hanzal just seems to be a no-brainer target for Canes. For a team that struggles to create goals, obtaining a possession impact C seems very logical. Hanzal would give them 2 top 5 FO% guys who both are big too. Hanzal D-zone% is over 60 in Arizona-his Corsi is solid given that fact. He brings a lot of other aspects that Canes desperately need too. Him and Staal would be great to have for usage in the O and D zone and controlling possession and minimizing D-zone risks off the FO.

I'd be thrilled with a top 9 something along the lines of:

Skinner-Rask-Lindholm
Teravainen-Staal-Aho
Stalberg-Hanzal-Stempniak
4th line based on performance (Nordstrom, McGinn, Ryan, McClement, Nestrasil)
- BenCase

Yep.

Guy would be a perfect fit. And his short-term contract means he wouldn't be a huge issue once Nic Roy or Julien Gauthier are ready to make the jump.

Yep.

Guy would be a perfect fit. And his short-term contract means he wouldn't be a huge issue once Nic Roy or Julien Gauthier are ready to make the jump.
- BINGO!

Can't argue with that either. Hanzal injury history will likely make his next deal shorter if he tests UFA IMO. If Canes wanted to keep him, I imagine a 2-3 yr. deal that's not bank breaking would be manageable.

I really like Gauthier-it'll be interesting to see what he looks like next year. Love both Roy and Gauthier size.

I'd do it before, but we don't have anybody else ready.

I mean, unless we feel like watching Micheal Leighton pretend he's anywhere close to an NHL goaltender.
- BINGO!

Hey!

Leighton did help take some team to the SCF not too long ago.