During the Canes' long winless streak, general manager Jim Rutherford said a goal for the team would be to get back to .500 by Christmas time. That would be the first step, and a big one, toward getting back in position to contend for the playoffs.
At 5-12-5 after the win over Tampa Bay, and with 15 games before Christmas, Carolina would have to go 11-4-0 -- or 10-3-2, 9-2-4, etc. -- to reach .500.
So what do you think? Can the Canes do it? Why or why not?
The floor is open.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
It's a Disaster Year -- Poor Scoring by Expensive Hurricanes
Thu, 11/26/2009 - 12:26 — abramsdougThe statistics speak for themselves:
Hurricanes Scoring Chart
Name Goals Assists Points Salary
Brind’Amour 2 5 7 $3,000,000
Cole 2 1 3 $2,800,000
Samsonov 2 6 8 $2,500,000
LaRose 1 5 6 $1,500,000
Total Salary: $9,800,000
Total Goals: 7
Total Assists: 17
Total Points: 24
End Result: Hurricanes 30th out of 30 NHL teams, and last in virtually every category.
The statistics are even worse when one adds in Scott Walker:
Scott Walker 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, Salary: $2,500,000
so including Scott Walker the totals are:
Salary: $12,300,000.00
Total goals: 9
Total Assists: 19
Total Points: 28
Not sure but..
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 11:55 — garybdiverStaal was just activated. Scoop here. So he's in tonight. But how about Ruutu?
Sorry about multiple post,
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 07:02 — Otag1Sorry about multiple post, Saturday's 11/28 game is in Buffaloe. Next Saturday 12/05 is the Canucks.
But you forgot about...
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 09:33 — wxray1Monday, against Washington.
So, the Canes have:
- Wed at Anaheim
- Fri against Atlanta
- Sat at Buffalo
- Monday against Buffalo
This is a difficult schedule. Like I said earlier, they need 7 out of 10. They just missed 2 at Dallas. So, now they need 7 out of 8.
Good luck Canes. You pull that off, I'll believe.
But I think they'll be lucky to get 3 points. Anaheim is also struggling, but obviously the Canes have road difficulties. Then they have jet lag to deal with on Friday against ATL, who can be really good at times. Then a back to back at BUF. Then Ovie and Semin come to town ASAP on Monday?
Unless a miracle occurs, the season is over Tuesday. I'll try to believe in miracles. It MUST start tonight.
Little disappointed that
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 06:58 — Otag1Little disappointed that the only mention of tonites game in the N&O is the 10:00 PM TV listing. No coverage in print regarding the Canes. Monday's loss was a disappointment also. A loss to a physical team, and tonite's game will be physical also in Aneheim, the Ducks will come out hitting hoping to intimidate the Canes, the Canes will need to hit and fight back. Staal is suppose to be in the lineup. We are only 10 points out of the #8 slot in the Eastern conference so anything is still possible. We need to win tonight and again Friday, then get at least a point against Vancouver, another very physical team.
Chip is not in town...
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 09:57 — gf101112... So therefore no info. But I went to yesterday's practice and noted no Jussi and no Chad. Scotty Walker and E. Staal were there and practiced hard. After practice J asked Eric if was going to play in tonight's game and his reply was a resounding "YES!!!" The Ducks can be had, but the Canes need to come out flying from the start. (Which is what most of the practice seemed to be about.) The Ducks WILL try to intimidate so please no RETALIATION STUFF!!! The Ducks will also take many penalties so hopefully the powerplay will show up tonight- With the addition of E. Staal!!! This game will be the "watershed" game of this year- Much like last year's San Jose game.(Which I was fortunate enough to attend.) So stay up late tonight folks and enjoy it,(You might even see me in the crowd), because tomorrow's menu is featuring Southern' fried DUCK!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all. So. Cal. Caniac.
Right, because it's
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 18:17 — imayagainknowantonRight, because it's impossible to publish a story or make a blog post unless you are physically in Anaheim with the team.
http://www.canescountry.com/2009/11/25/1173589/the-return-of-staal-canes-at-ducks
There's a write-up for you.
socal
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 16:34 — jejohn8are you in the lower bowl?
MAYBE...
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 22:37 — AllenH...IF they start scoring goals and quit taking so many penalties...
WOW
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 03:36 — imayagainknowantonYou mean to tell me that an old, slow team with very little offensive talent can't score goals and takes a lot of penalties? Shocking!
No
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 17:59 — imayagainknowantonAsking ANY team to put together a record like that is a joke. Asking THIS team - which features the likes of Erik Cole, Rod Brind'amour and Aaron Ward in prominent roles - is BEYOND ABSURD.
Dallas game
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 10:22 — rmmeliTo me, as soon as I saw how much ice time Brind'Amour was getting I knew they had no chance to win, not that they ever looked like they wanted to compete to win. I thought the team had learnt from the previous game that #17 should only play about 10 mins but he kept getting put out there and on the penalty kill. Crazy. Hopefully the forwards who didn't catch the flight to Dallas will arrive in time for the game on Wednesday.
Dallas game
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 09:45 — HockeydogThey didn't play horrible in Dallas, just didn't do enough to win a game that they very well could have won. Whitney's waived off goal was a joke, there was no intent to kick the puck into the net, he was trying to kick it to his stick. Still the team needed to rise above that and they didn't. I know there are some Samsonov supporters here, but while not likely I'd love to see Sammi moved for picks or whatever and Boychuk brought up. They both have the same level of physicality but Boychuk is more of a North South type skill player. Sammi just dangles with no end result.
By the way, the Dallas TV announcers stink.
Bad start in Dallas
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 08:37 — wxray1Digging deeper. Now they are in a hole for our next little week stretch.
Sigh.
Are you outta yer mind?
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 08:28 — jonl355Old old old, thats the problem. It serves us right for signing a 35-year old to a 5-year contract. In with the newlyweds and out with the nearly-deads. I say we tank the season and go for the first draft choice. Start playing the kids: Peters, Boychuk, Sutter. Make trades for draft choices and to dump salary. Don't forget that it took Pittsburg multiple years in the celler to built their current team.
BTW, Brind'Amour is definately European because he is completly FINNISHed!
agree with abramsdoug
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:20 — HockeydogI think you are right on saying the next 5 games will tell. They built on a shootout to play a solid 60 minutes against the Bolts. If they play that way 4 out of 5 games, chances are they will win 3-4 of those and that effort over the rest of the season is what it would take for them to maybe dig out a playoff spot. If they show they can't maintain or build on the momentum of last Saturdays game then no to .500, and look for some changes. They absolutely can, but will they?
Top Ten Reasons...IF and Only IF...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:50 — WAStout1. Other teams see us as doormats and their effort is not there for 60 minutes along with us giving the effort we put out against Tampa Bay - every game.
2. Manny/Leighton can get their GAA down to 2 instead of 4 or 5.
3. Staal comes back with his game.
4. CWard comes back with his game.
5. Once Staal comes back, the rest of the team continues to play like he is NOT there - and stop waiting/watching for him to do it all.
6. AWard continues to show improvement in the D-end.
7. Keep Brindy minutes low.
8. Continue to give Sutter looks on the PP.
9. Mo stops playing defensive-only hockey anytime we get a one goal lead.
10. USE YOUR TIMEOUT RIGHT!
Who knows
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:19 — SWFAN24It's a pretty tough schedule, but they seem to coming on strong. To say the truth, I feel like Christmas will be a little early. I see them going 8-5-2 during those 15 games which will put them a game or two short. I do see them getting over the hump after the new year and hopefully making a playoff push. Go Canes.
The real question
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:16 — Biff_BeersAt what point does JR decide that there is no way the team can make the playoffs and therefore starts moving veterans? Is his comment about getting back to .500 before Christmas the benchmark that they must meet to prevent JR from dismantling the team? I think they have more latitude than that, but not much more. If Canes have less than 30 points at Christmas, then JR will start moving guys. If they have 35 or more points, the team will stay together at least until the trade deadline. Anywhere in between, and it is harder to guess. It will depend on how other teams in the division are doing and on how optimistic JR is about the team running off a bunch of wins in a row.
.500
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:21 — louis12580Can this team get to .500? Yes they can. Will they? I'd like to think so, but the schedule doesn't set up favorably. Dallas tonight, fly to Anaheim for a wednesday game, fly all night only to arrive probably around 8-8:30 a.m. Have Thanksgiving Day off, then play a good Atlanta team at home, then off for a game on saturday in Buffalo. Oh, and by the way, Washington a week from tonight. There has been a marked improvement in their play of late. Getting Pitaknnen back was huge. It's amazing how much better they are when he's in the line-up. Joe is still Joe, Timmy G has been much better of lateand Ward, Alberts, and Wallin have been holding their own. These next 5 games will probably make or break the remainder of the season. The obvious goal is to win all 5, but realistically winning 3 would be just fine. The game that worries me the most is the one in Buffalo. That has the potential to get ugly early and often.
ONE GAME AT A TIME !!! ONE
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:41 — jejohn8ONE GAME AT A TIME !!!
ONE GAME AT A TIME !!!
ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!
ROLL 4 LINES!!
STAY OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX!!
PLAY SMART!!
AND HAVE EACH OTHERS BACK !!
GO CANES !!!!
also play an extremely
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:44 — jejohn8also play an extremely tight defence!!
do not give up the back door!
It's possible
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:38 — esteban1949Yes Chip, anything in pro sports is possible...but as others have pointed out, the next 5 games will be a good indication...all we fans can do is hope. BTW...A Great Question
Go Canes !!
This Week & December
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 09:52 — GoShelfIf you look at the schedule for the rest of this month and December you'll notice 2 things: we play a lot of games and 8/15 (about half) games are against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. Based on the fact that we're one of the oldest teams in the NHL and haven't played well against playoff teams it does not bode well for us having a .500 record by Christmas. I think we have to take the one game at a time approach at this point. It would be nice to be .500 by Christmas, but I don't think it's the end of the world if we're not - it's an 82 game season and there's plenty of hockey to be played after Christmas. What's important right now is playing consistent, staying healthy, and avoiding multiple game losing streaks. If they play like they did the past 4 games or so, we have a chance to win every night.
Is certainly realistic...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 07:30 — cushingrAsk me this question again this Sunday morning... The Canes have a very big week ahead of them which will also be a huge test for them. 4 games in 6 nights beginning tonight in Dallas is a very tall order for any team! Not to mention 3 of these games will be on the road where the Canes haven't been able to win yet this season. The good news is these types of road trips build team chemistry and morale. The other good bit of news is that Eric Staal is expected to return at some point this week (albeit later in the week).... And don't forget, Cam Ward is expected back in the lineup next Saturday!! It all starts tonight in Dallas~! GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree, this week is the test
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 08:38 — wxray1Anything is possible. A few weeks ago, people were recalling how Washington got out of the basement to the playoffs 2 years ago. If Cam and Staal come back with a solid remaining team, anything is possible.
But first things first. They cannot continue to dig. This week is a big test and it will be without Cam and probably Staal. cushingr brings up a good point about a big week ahead. Dallas is in contention and a struggling Anaheim is on the end of a cross country trip. To add to the pain, the Canes come cross-country back home with just 1 day rest to meet a an upredictable and streaky Atlanta -- a team that has had success here. Then, to top it off, the team has to fly out immediately for a back to back in Buffalo, only to fly back with one day rest to meet conference leading Washington.
If they can make it through that string of 5 games with 7 points out of the 10, I will believe. 6 points, shaky. Anything less? They are probably done.
Yes, it is feasible; the next five games will tell
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 06:57 — abramsdougChip,
Yes, it is feasible. The Hurricanes are figuring out how to best utilize their players and how to play together under the Maurice/Francis system. They are also getting Staal back perhaps this week. It will hinge on (1) Staal and Sutter developing chemistry and goal scoring on the first line and (2) Manny Legace getting hot and stealing at least two games by his play alone. The third line will likely provide increased scoring. I think with Brind'Amour on the fourth line and with LaRose likely to be on the fourth line, it will be a grinding line that gets more than its share of goals in about ten minutes of play per night. For the Hurricanes each game night is essentially the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals. They are not yet one game from playoff elimination, but they are extremely close to that point.
Disappointment in Dallas, Digging a Deeper Hole
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 10:03 — abramsdougThe Dallas game was disappointing on a number of levels. It would not have taken that much better an effort for the Hurricanes to win; but again they grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. Whitney, who almost always is one of the best clutch performers in the NHL, can't handle a 2 on 1 cleanly --- and the knuckleheads in Toronto ignore their own rules and disallow the goal. Then Whitney can't convert on a breakaway. I am not putting the loss on Whitney; but I am pointing out that this season even Whitney can't find a way to win.
I also agree with the assessment that one can look at Brind'Amour's time on ice and know the outcome of any Hurricanes game. I would add that in my view one can look at Wallin's time on ice and get the same answer.
The Dallas game was essentially a replay of the Penguins playoff series. A stronger, bigger, faster opponent hits the Hurricanes hard at the start of the game and the Hurricanes can't respond with a fierce, physical game. Taking stupid retaliatory penalties is the opposite of playing a physical game. Until the Hurricanes are slightly retooled and the players on the ice have Ruutu's attitude of "Alright it's going to be man on man, hit everything that moves; great it is game on," the Hurricanes will be ripe for defeat against teams such as Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, among others.
As the Hurricanes continue playing soft and unintelligent hockey against physical teams, they are increasingly close to having a season where they are battling for the Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, or Kirill Kabanov pick in the NHL entry draft. If it takes the Hurricanes having a dismal year in order for the team to recreate itself as a younger, faster, physical team, then so be it. In the meantime, the clock is ticking for the veterans and some familiar faces on this team. They have four games to start to salvage the season; and in all probability their status as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.
yes...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 00:38 — James_yes...