Monday debate: the good, the bad

Surprises:
Sutter - One of the smartest defensive players I've seen in awhile on this team. It says a lot when the Lightning has the Prospal-Lecavalier-St. Louis line out for an overtime powerplay and Sutter is Laviolette's first choice to go out there.

Ruutu - has been the Hurricanes' best forward. Laser of a shot, throws huge hits, and is responsible defensively.

Seidenberg - I was mystified as to why he was a healthy scratch last season while Kaberle/Wallin were playing like garbage. This season he is proving that he belongs in the Top 4. He's solid in his own end and contributes offensively as well. Still has issues (stupid pinches that cause 2-on-1s, but that seems to be a problem with most of our D), but overall very good.

Disappointments:
Staal - He's improved his defensive play quite a bit, but the offense is near nonexistent. Most of his shots are from 40 feet out and have no chance of going in the net. When he does get a quality scoring chance, he misfires or shoots it right at the goalie. It would help, though, if he could have the same linemates for more than one game at a time. Which brings me to...

The coaching staff - we have a bunch of new players and lines/pairings that never existed before. How about letting guys play together for more than one game before splitting them up? Laviolette can't even decide who his top three centers are (Cullen constantly switches from centering the third line to playing RW in the top 6), let alone who their wingers are.

Samsonov - effort is there, but we're not paying him to be Chad LaRose. I think the results will come as long as he doesn't lose confidence.

I would NOT put Eaves in the 'disappointment' category for the same reason that I wouldn't have put Ladd in the category last season. He simply is not getting enough ice time to produce. Yesterday he played 06:47, with 4:30 of that being on the PK. He's averaging 12:25 on the season with almost none of that being on the PP.

Surprises:
1)iBrandon Sutter - his all around play has been astounding and he seems to be a head of the development curve. Looking forward to great things as he continues to gain experience.
2) Wallin/Seidenberg/Babchuk - solid play all around from these guys. Wallin is finally healthy again and it makes a big difference. Seidenberg is showing the confidence that consistent playing time can afford. He is not so concerned with making mistakes, and playing tentative, and ending up a healthy scratch for a week. Babchuk, while not flashy, has accepted his role and played sound defensively overall. He is one of those guys who when you do not really notice that he is on the ice, it is, more often than not, a good thing. I would also add Kaberle to this list based on how he was playing before his injury.
3) Bayda - this guy has developed a great all around game. He has obviously worked hard in transiitioning from the scorer/points guy that he was drafted to be into the all around player he had to be to get a slot on this level. Seems to bring it every shift. Got to love that.
Disappointments:
1) Staal - while I have not been as quick to give up on him as perhaps some, the results so far have been disappointing to say the least. Maybe he is indeed injured, but in any case his game has not lived up to the level he was at at the end of last year. He seemingly had developed into a complete player on an elite level, but this year has been like a step back. He has been taken out of his game offensively - whether it be the result of injury, physical defense, or a combination of the two - and that seemingly has affected his entire game. I just hope that he can get it all together, or get healthy, or whatever, soon. For this team to be successful over the long haul, Staal has to be their best player.
2) Samsonov - When I watch Samsonov on the ice, there's no way I can question his skill or his effort. And while I'm sure his current slump, combined with his past history, has got to be in his head a little bit, I hope he is able to get a few cheap ones here or there to get him rolling. Despite my (foolhardy?) belief that this guy is indeed the top line guy we saw last season, you cannot characterize his production so far this season as anything but disappointing. I agree wholeheartedly with the previous poster in the assessment that Samsonov has probably suffered from the lack of chemistry and constant line shifts that have been, seemingly, a necessary evil thus far this season. Sergei seems to need someone to play off of to take his game to the next level (see brind a'mour last year), and he just has not seemed to have reached any sort of comfort level this season.
3) INJURIES - While I know it's an excuse that the cliches never want to grant, but I really don't think we have any idea yet just how good this team can be. With so many new players slotted for new roles, and so many injuries constantly shaking up the lineup, I'm not really surprised that the cohesiveness and chemistry have been hard to come by. Hopefully (knock on wood) we can get and keep these guys healthy and keep them that way for a stretch so that we can really see what they can do. I'm sure they are as curious about it as we are. One thing is for sure, guys like Pitkanen, Eaves, Cullen and even Samsonov would all benefit from the comfort level of extended minutes and solid/consistent line combinations. And I think at least some of the breakaways we have given up on defense have been due to an unfamiliarity of players with their teammates tendencies on the ice. Some.
4) Power Play - number #3 above might play into this a little bit, but the bottom line is that since this team is NOT very physical and NOT very intimidating they ABSOLUTELY have to make the opposition pay on the power play. If other teams are going to take liberties with and take runs at our skill players, they have to pay the price on the penalty kill. That is how this team has been constructed. I cannot help but notice how aggressive the opposing teams' penalty kill has been of late. There is no fear factor there. The Cup team was not particularly physical either, but overall they made teams pay when they went to the box. This team HAS TO do the same to be successful.
-m

Surprises:

1. Defense.

Overall, the defense has been far more consistent, despite injuries to key players, than last year. Babchuk has been a very positive addition. Wallin is playing quite well as contrasted with last year. (Gleason's excellent play isn't a surprise).

2. Sutter:
He is showing tremendous poise and is already showing leadership and toughness.

3. Ruutu: he is playing like the #1 prospect he was.

Disappointments:

1. The PP is simply terrible and particularly considering the talent on the team. Enough experimentation with PP lines. Make a decision and let the lines play. Stop the constant dump and run. It's totally predictable. Use more patience and let the puck to the work. Make the defenders chase the puck.

2. Inconsistent emotionally driven play. The team has yet to show a 60 minute full throttle effort. The talent is there are the desire is there. Maybe they are all just trying too hard and are thinking to much.

3. Samsonov's slump is a disappointment; but I think his play has been hurt by the constant shifting of lines. He is a sniper and a playmaker. Timing is everything. I like the Samsonov/Staal/Ruutu line. Staal's slump is also affecting Samsonov because much of his play is built around the other team having to defend the center.

4. Eaves' lack of production is disappointing. His talent is evident; but he seems to be having a hard time figuring out his role and seems hesitant at times.

5. Lack of consistent hitting. The Hurricanes are at their best when they pressure the puck and force errors.

Pleasant surprises:

1) Nic Wallin has played well early on. Kaberle was also (brieflly) impressive before he was injured. These guys were seen by many as dead weight coming into camp, but props to them for answering their critics.

2) Finally winning a shootout yesterday

3) Our record being 9-7-2 given the way we've played. We deserve worse.

4) I expected Ruutu to do well, but the fact that he's met expectations when most people haven't deserves recognition. Good job, Ruuty!

Disappointments: (Many!)

1) Overall lack of consistent energy & effort

2) Our forwards as a whole, beginning w/ Staal, even though he's apparently playing hurt. Hopefully yesterday will get Rod going. Even given the history of his career, I cannot believe the difference in Samsonov's production from last year to this year (fewer goals than Brookbank & Helminen?). Samsonov & Eaves are being counted on for at least 20+ goals each...They have a combined 0. The way our team is designed, we need to be winning games 6-4, 5-3, etc. Instead, we've been struggling to score 2.

3) The PP- What was supposed to be our greatest strength coming into the season has been awful.

4) Cam Ward- The inconsistency that has plagued his career has continued. We're going to need him to cut down on the soft goals & make a few big saves when needed. Our offense should do the rest.

Best Surprise: Sutter's vision and skill level. Wait til he gets some size. Biggest Bust: Staal. If he's not playing hurt it will be a long year. He's getting pushed around and down by D'. Biggest Non-surprise: Wallin. When healthy he has always been steady and provided occasional offense. He's in a contract year. Those who wanted him traded -- learn the game.

Good stuff, just about all the lines are contributing, even Brookbank got a goal yesterday. Our PK is doing great, I can't believe Sutter is only 19, he's on the 1st line for our PK and does awesome.

Bad stuff, the power play is probably # 1 problem for the team. They've had so many chances and still can't seem to take advantage. Break aways is another sore spot, oppsing teams in the last 4 games have score I think four maybe five goals on 2 and 3 on one break aways. Not much a goalie can do about those.

I'm not too worried about Staal yet. Sid the Kid, AO and Staal are all below what they are capable of. It will come soon enough.

great news guys! Canes won a shootout game!! =] Yes, its amazing.. I KNOW!