Goaltender Cam Ward has started the last 16 games for the Hurricanes and figures to start the next three, all on the road — at Vancouver, San Jose and Phoenix.
That will leave 28 games in the regular season, including five back-to-back sets. Canes coach Paul Maurice insists backup Michael Leighton will be used, but didn't say when or how much.
What would you do? How many games should Ward start the rest of the way? How many for Leighton?
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
Goalie rotation early in the year
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 14:45 — CanenutI asked Chuck K (Kaitions Corner, earlier in the year) about a goalie rotation, Ward start X games then Leighton for a game thru out the year. His response was that this is never done in the NHL and would not work. My thought was that it would keep Ward fresh and provide Leighton a scheduled start so that he would be ready. Get some playing time to be able to identify what he may need to work on with the coaches. I know that Leighton is suppose to be ready at any time but how many of us wake up in the morning with out knowing that we are going to work. If we thought we would not be going to work and then at the last minute were told to go to work and give a presentation in front of 19K people would that not create a mosre stressful situtation. Having watched other games on VS and Yahoo sports it seems that other teams were getting both goalies regular work thru out the year.
Thoughts and comments welcome.
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New backup?
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 11:41 — Canes73I agree it would be nice to have a reliable backup but there just aren't any available. There have been many teams looking for a backup this year but haven't found anything (i.e. Vancouver, Ottawa, New Jersey). Teams like Boston and Chicago who do have strong backups aren't going to give them away without a strong return.
Unfortunately, I don't see any other option but to ride Ward as far as he can take us.
Canes Dilemna
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 11:06 — twinfanUsually you get to this point by using both goalies so your #1 will carry the load most of the second half and in the playoffs. The dilemna here today is that if you play Leighton against a team below us and we lose, some might say we blew a game we should and could have won. If you play Leighton against San Jose, which always wins at home, are you giving up a chance to win or get to overtime and get a point? The Canes can't afford to lose any ground in this 4 team battle for 2 spots. Plus, it always seems like we've played more games than the other 3 so they are actually ahead of us since you have to assume they will get the points. I think if the Canes can stay close they can make the playoffs because they have 8 of the final 11 games at home and mostly against teams they should beat. Of course there was last year but that's in the past.
Ward
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 10:19 — coultersHe should play every game and Leighton at this point should stay only as back up!! Leighton is not that good! Play him in practice!
This is a pattern for this
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 10:07 — caneshockeyfanThis is a pattern for this organization. I'm not saying it's a bad one, but is it a coincidence that during the 2 deep playoff runs this organization has had, that the backup goaltender has played a more significant role than the season-long starter? Getting overworked for 70+ games is one thing, but tack on another 20+ and I think most goalies will hit their breaking point. OTOH a fresh, solid backup can work wonders in the playoffs. See Hurricanes circa 2002 and 2006.
Leighton
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 09:35 — mokimanoLeighton had an opportunity earlier in the year to show what he could do as the backup and he really didnt show anybody much. He is not any better as a backup than Grahame was here the past two years...Canes need a better option to push Ward, and a better replacement to fill in if Ward goes down. Justin Peters does not look like he is that ready for NHL action yet...Leighton needs to be shown the door at season's end and a better #2 tender needs to be brought in...JR once again has not shown this to be his strongest suit...kinda like the way he puts together a defense...
Can Brind'Amour play goalie?
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 20:59 — Biff_BeersLeighton will have to start once or twice in late Feb. and early Mar. when we have 15 games in 28 days, but that will be about it except for mop-up duty in blow-out wins or losses. Even if we clinch a playoff spot before the end of the season, we'll still most likely be needing to win to improve our place in the standings. It would be nice not to play Boston in the first round. If we do make it to the playoffs, Ward may well be spent by then, but that would be a nice problem to have.
Blow out wins?
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 10:46 — wxray1I wish... I wish for that kind of mop up problem...
seems like 2002 ... and only a hint of 2006
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 17:48 — AlphaAlpha06Irbe and Gerber took most of the workload of those two years and then fell flat on their faces in the playoffs. I think that was due a gruling 65+ game load that ultimatly ended up wearing the two older men down, leaving kevin weeks, and in 2006, Cam to clean up the scraps. I still say one of the worst decisions of the 2002 playoffs was to start Irbe in the finals after Weeks had taken us so far... but who am i to call Maurice an idiot? ( he is ). Here is the real question: Cam Ward will be able to take the team far into the season (hopefully into a playoff spot), but will he be able to sustain any real poise when it comes to the big show?
ward off
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 17:20 — guppyman45definitely use leighton against san jose. gonna lose that one anyway.
Some rest is needed
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 14:35 — HockeydogCam will need a break. The back to back games will be the best time. Hope Leighton can rise up and show some of the good play he showed early on
Ward
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 12:22 — louis12580Cam is playing well now. He is moving quicker and his rebound control is better. Yes, he still gives up the juicy rebound from time to time. ALL goalies do that. The difference is that the defense is there to help, as are the forwards. There is a confidence between all three of the team components. Forwards, blue liners and Cam. As for resting him, let him go on right now. While there are some back to back games coming up, you can't afford to give up points. The team doesn't have that luxury. Granted some of those games are against teams from the west, but 2 points are still 2 points regardless of who we play. Maybe one of these days Florida will actually play some back to back games that require them to play out of the state of Florida.
Staal's line
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 12:12 — GoShelfI think the bigger question is: can Eric Staal's line produce enough offense (especially on the road where they play almost every shift against the other team's #1 d-pairing) so Paul Maurice does not have to play Cam Ward every game because every game is a must win. Or, can our other 3 lines score enough when the Staal line goes cold, which they most likely will because they have proven to-date to be at best streaky.
With the exception of a handful of games, Ward has played pretty consistent and I expect he will be for the remainder of the season, but if he has to play almost every game he's going to be burntout at the wrong time (last 5-7 games) and we're going to be on the outside looking in - again.
No. 1
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 10:39 — DavidMeyerI agree with most of the posts here. The Canes MUST get to the playoffs this year, and the only way there is through Cam Ward. Cam needs to play as much as possible (assuming he continues to play well). He should only be relieved by Leighton for 3 of the back-to-backs.
Time for Cam to show we can trust him for long stretches. No more 15 goals in 3 games lapses.
Ride Cam While He's Hot
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 10:22 — galatians220We should definitely ride Cam while he's hot. I'm hoping that he's finally going to show that he's a legitimate #1 goalie in this league by continuing to improve upon the inconsistency of past seasons. Leighton struggled mightily in his last few starts, but if our team can get the offense going, I think Mo will feel more comfortable putting him in the net on occasion. Right now, there's no margin for error.
Good Questions Chip
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:54 — esteban1949But seeing none of us here really have an actual say...myself personally,I'd go with what ctill's post,as Mo will do what he feels he needs to do after running several options by Ronnie & the ever present GM Mr. Rutherford...heck I am very sure Mr. Rutherford would love to have another Cup,playoff banner, Ring to add to his collections...but we have to get to into the playoffs first.So only time will tell huh ? Go Canes !!
Leighton hasn't shown any
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:39 — dustinlammersLeighton hasn't shown any signs of being ready when called upon. Ward is a major difference for us most nights and if he can handle the load the he should keep getting the starts. If fatigue starts to wear in with Cam, then I could see going with Leighton for one or two odd starts but let's ride our #1 the rest of the way...
Ward Can handle the work
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:03 — Caniac324Canes need all the points they can get, Ward should play as often as possible. When there is a 3 in 4 day situation I would consider using Leighton otherwise Ward would play assuming he does not have an injury or start to show signs of needing a break.
The back-to-back pairings
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 08:15 — ctillThe back-to-back pairings are Columbus-Buffalo, Islanders-Tampa, Calgary-Tampa, Chicago-Dallas, and Islanders-Washington. I'm guessing that Leighton will play against Columbus, the Islanders, Calgary and Dallas. But if Tampa has cooled off by March, Ward might start against Calgary.