Murphy called up from Checkers

The team/s won/lost record over the past few seasons seems to vindicate both Laviolette and Maurice and opens the door for similar expectations from Coach Muller. A team without a full complement of NHL caliber players will forever more be a cellar dweller.

A few new faces are in the locker room, but the level of playing talent remains the same. It was only last week that Scotty Bowman referred to our players as "recycled"...a polite term for castoffs who can be had for a bargain price....warm bodies in uniforms...

If players are not demoralized they should be. The season seems a write-off at this point. It might be wise to bring up some of the guys from the Checkers, give them some decent playing time that would allow coaches to more accurately assess their collectrive potential instead of calling them up/ sending them back, etc. etc. etc. 

Thus far the Hurricanes have allowed 101 goals, far and away the most in either division while scoring 72 , some division leaders scoring as many as 86 to 93. The difference is talent and effort.

Where I sit some fans refer to Eric Staal as "Mr. 70 per cent," meaning he seldom gives no more effort than that percentage, failing to hustle off the ice during shift changes, not chasing down an opponent when he is beaten on ice, often seeming pouty and disengaged.

Some others don't have Staal's overall ability and play to the limit of their ability, players such as Harrison. But that does not add up to a winning combination. Everyone must go full bore!

But until more talent joins the team one might suspect that the results will be the same.Hey, management can always blame the new coach. They seem to have a history of doing that instead of  producing $$$ to pay for a competitive cadre of players.

Hum. Wonder how Laviolette became a better coach in Philly. Surely better talent had nothing to do with it.

Nevertheless, go Canes...

I guess the honeymoon for Muller is over.  So much for playing hard to impress your new coach.  The defensive effort was brutal last night.

Pitkanen was in vintage form.  Check out the second goal on nhl.com.  Pitkanen gives little effort on the boards and loses a battle.  He moves back to the front of the net where he has a wonderful seat to watch McBain get undressed and then see the puck slide to a man on the doorstep.  That must have been fun to watch.

How about Staal?  So much for backchecking.  Check out the 3rd goal for the Flames.  After losing a stick battle in his own zone Staal is unable to keep up with 36yr. old Brendan Morrison.  In fact, once he gets past the top of the circles he doesn't even try.  There's your Captain!

Rutherford has said there is a lack of character in the locker room.  Who really believes it's the 3rd/4th liners and young guys that are the problem?  Time to blow up the roster.

Chip,

  Any word on how long Boucher will be out?