Well, the season's over for the Canes (if the Red Wings keep at it, it'll be the end of the season for everyone in about two more games...), and now it's time to turn away from that painful last series to look to... the future!
(That sentence is a lot cooler if you imagine cymbals crashing and sparks flying as "the future" is spoken in one of those movie trailer voices. Seriously, read it again and try it.)
Yes, now is the time to focus on the upcoming season, and more importantly the upcoming free agency period. The Canes have seven players up for some kind of free agency and the topics range from performance to salary cap.
But the topic I'm going to cover is the most important of all:
Do I really want to watch you play in a Canes uniform next season?
In order of importance:
Leaving is not an option
Chad LaRose
Explanation: Chad LaRose is the heart and soul of this team. You can't just let the heart and soul walk away from the team. Us Caniacs would be left with a pathetic, soul-less team - a zombie team destined to wander the ice rinks hopelessly searching for a spark of life. And I think we've had enough of that nonsense.
I like you a lot. Please stay!
Jussi Jokinen
Explanation: Our playoff hero. Do we really want him to go? Heck no! I know that he wasn't the most significant player in the regular season, but he certainly made up for that in the playoffs, pulling the Canes' butts through several games (and to think that Tampa wanted to waive him?). Not to mention his shootout prowess doesn't hurt either.
Tuomo Ruutu
Explanation: Take away Tuomo, take away our physical presence. It's as simple as that. He didn't score as much in the playoffs as he did in the regular season, but I think he made up for it in the fact that he often went through people to go after the puck. Not to mention - we just can't lose a guy with a name as awesome as that.
Erik Cole
Explanation: Yeah, okay, I probably have Cole ranked a little higher than he should be - but I don't think I can stand losing my favorite player again. He didn't do that great in the playoffs, but the Canes started to turn around their season when he was added to the team. Coincidence? I beg to differ.
Sure, come back. Whatever.
Ryan Bayda
Explanation: He filled in on the lower lines when he was needed. Not the greatest, not too shabby though. He's been with the Canes organization for a while (finally cracked the big leagues!), so sure he can come back.
I'm not sold on this whole "You playing for us again" thing. Why don't you run it by me again?
Dennis Seidenberg
Explanation: I said to my dad before the beginning of Game 4 that "We have a plethora of useless defensemen." I wouldn't say that Seidenberg is useless (it's called hyperbole), but he just seems to be a part of a nameless defensive corps the Canes put on the ice every year. Not that bad, although the mistakes can be miserable to watch.
Anton Babchuk
Explanation: Unlike Seidenberg, Babchuk certainly has made a name for himself. His killer slapshot makes him nothing like a cookie cutter player. But (and maybe this is a case of "what have you done for me lately?") he completely tanked in the playoffs. It was like he was a traffic cone that the opposing team skated circles around - and we saw absolutely none of his miraculous slapshot. I mean, seriously, the guy was replaced with Frank Kaberle. That's pretty bad.
So, there you go. My analysis of the Canes' upcoming free agents (quite possibly the longest thing I've ever written for this blog). And probably the only Canes stuff that we'll be talking about for a long time.
Showing posts with label Ryan Bayda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Bayda. Show all posts
Monday, June 01, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
That could have gone better
Well, crap.
Canes are down 2-0 in the series after losing 7-4 in Game 2. Definitely territory we haven't been in this playoff season. (However, for you optimists out there, don't forget Round 1 against Montreal in 2006).
The first period was a good one. I think. I didn't actually see it due to an awards ceremony running 40 minutes over. But the score was 3-2 in favor of the Canes (5 goals in a period! Of course I miss the most offense intensive period of the whole playoffs) with goals by LaRose, Jokinen, and Seidenberg.
Then came the second period, where the Canes didn't play as well. They looked to be going in the third with only a tied game, but they allowed the Pens to score with only eight seconds left in the period.
The third period just went downhill from there. Evgeni Malkin got a hat trick (Memo to Versus - nobody actually cares about his parents celebrating. Just FYI.) and the Canes let the game get away from them with sloppy play. The interesting part of the period was what happened with less than two minutes left. There was a huge scrum at the end boards, Bayda got a match penalty for high-sticking (I think?) and then was consequently fined $2,500. I don't really know what happened - I don't think Versus really went over it and if they did I didn't listen because I was just ready for the stupid game to be over.
The Canes certainly need to put out a better quality of game if they hope to beat the Penguins. The Pens driving offense (along with poor defense and effort on the Canes part) killed us in this game. We need to take it back to Raleigh and set the pace in our own building.
The Canes can do this. It'll be tough, but it can be just another comeback for them.
Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal
Playoffs: 4 goals, 7 assists
Canes are down 2-0 in the series after losing 7-4 in Game 2. Definitely territory we haven't been in this playoff season. (However, for you optimists out there, don't forget Round 1 against Montreal in 2006).
The first period was a good one. I think. I didn't actually see it due to an awards ceremony running 40 minutes over. But the score was 3-2 in favor of the Canes (5 goals in a period! Of course I miss the most offense intensive period of the whole playoffs) with goals by LaRose, Jokinen, and Seidenberg.
Then came the second period, where the Canes didn't play as well. They looked to be going in the third with only a tied game, but they allowed the Pens to score with only eight seconds left in the period.
The third period just went downhill from there. Evgeni Malkin got a hat trick (Memo to Versus - nobody actually cares about his parents celebrating. Just FYI.) and the Canes let the game get away from them with sloppy play. The interesting part of the period was what happened with less than two minutes left. There was a huge scrum at the end boards, Bayda got a match penalty for high-sticking (I think?) and then was consequently fined $2,500. I don't really know what happened - I don't think Versus really went over it and if they did I didn't listen because I was just ready for the stupid game to be over.
The Canes certainly need to put out a better quality of game if they hope to beat the Penguins. The Pens driving offense (along with poor defense and effort on the Canes part) killed us in this game. We need to take it back to Raleigh and set the pace in our own building.
The Canes can do this. It'll be tough, but it can be just another comeback for them.
Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal
Playoffs: 4 goals, 7 assists
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Jussi Jokinen is my new best friend
I don't think there are any words to describe the exhiliration felt after that goal.
Jussi Jokinen tips it in with 00.2 left on the clock.
Wow.
I think everyone in the RBC Center had that game going into overtime. I certainly did. Then - the puck goes in, but 00.0 is what the clock reads. After a brief conference, the referees deem it a goal - Martin Brodeur flips out about it, but whatever, he can just deal.
This sets an NHL record for the latest goal scored in regulation. I mean, it doesn't get much closer than that, does it?
Although, despite the AMAZING ending, the Canes really should have never been in that position anyway. They came out skating and got out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period. It was 3-0 for most of the second, but then Jersey scored three consecutive goals to tie it up.
Three consecutive goals. Certainly not cool, and certainly something the Canes don't want to let happen again in the series. But as lame as the Canes performance late in the game was, the end was just too awesome for me to complain too much.
Momentum for Game 5, anyone?
(As an aside, props go to Chad LaRose and Ryan Bayda - both are making the most of their playoff minutes, both notching another goal in last night's game.)
(And as another aside, I just found the NHL Situation Room blog, and I think it is excellent - a perfect way to get the exact ruling on any certain reviewed play.)
Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal
Playoffs: 2 goals, 1 assist
Monday, April 20, 2009
Overtime losses suck
Canes lost 3-2 in overtime in Game 3 last night.
Okay, Canes, I'm going to make a rule right now. If you go into overtime, win. If you're going to lose, please at least do me the decency of losing in regulation, so I don't lose an hour of sleep in the process of watching you crap out. Thank you.
Ugh.
Well, this game was okay. Not enough to win, obviously, but not horrifically bad, either. Definitely not near the control that they had of the second game. Power play was positively horrific, although the Canes managed to cut down on the stupid penalties taken.
Chad LaRose scored, which was cool. So did Ryan Bayda, representing the fourth line, which didn't play too bad.
I feel like there's nothing to analyze - both teams played hard but that's about it. And the Canes didn't win, which makes it miserable to watch them play so hard and then fail in the end. Because there's no big excuse to pin the loss on. All the Canes need to do is play just a little bit better, and the game is theirs.
Here's to playing a little bit better in tomorrow's game.
Chad LaRose: 1 goal
Playoffs: 1 goal, 1 assist
Okay, Canes, I'm going to make a rule right now. If you go into overtime, win. If you're going to lose, please at least do me the decency of losing in regulation, so I don't lose an hour of sleep in the process of watching you crap out. Thank you.
Ugh.
Well, this game was okay. Not enough to win, obviously, but not horrifically bad, either. Definitely not near the control that they had of the second game. Power play was positively horrific, although the Canes managed to cut down on the stupid penalties taken.
Chad LaRose scored, which was cool. So did Ryan Bayda, representing the fourth line, which didn't play too bad.
I feel like there's nothing to analyze - both teams played hard but that's about it. And the Canes didn't win, which makes it miserable to watch them play so hard and then fail in the end. Because there's no big excuse to pin the loss on. All the Canes need to do is play just a little bit better, and the game is theirs.
Here's to playing a little bit better in tomorrow's game.
Chad LaRose: 1 goal
Playoffs: 1 goal, 1 assist
Friday, February 22, 2008
Canes win!
Canes won 5-3 over division rival Atlanta last night.
Canes played really well. They managed to have another shot-tactular night, shooting 21 shots on goal in the first period, and having 46 on the night.
The amazing part about that is that the Canes actually didn't score on any of those 21 shots.
Great game for Bayda and Aucoin, both of them notching a goal. Absolutely good news that with all the injuries, the guys from Albany have stepped it up as well.
Although all he has is an assist to show for it, I thought Glen Wesley played really well last night as well.
And congrats to Erik Cole for playing in his 400th NHL (and Cane) game!
Next game is tomorrow against the C[r]apitals.
Canes played really well. They managed to have another shot-tactular night, shooting 21 shots on goal in the first period, and having 46 on the night.
The amazing part about that is that the Canes actually didn't score on any of those 21 shots.
Great game for Bayda and Aucoin, both of them notching a goal. Absolutely good news that with all the injuries, the guys from Albany have stepped it up as well.
Although all he has is an assist to show for it, I thought Glen Wesley played really well last night as well.
And congrats to Erik Cole for playing in his 400th NHL (and Cane) game!
Next game is tomorrow against the C[r]apitals.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Canes hand Tampa first road win
Well, Tampa Bay had lost all of their past 7 road games going into last night's game. Let's just say the Canes helped them to break the streak...
Yep. A 5-1 loss to the Lightning last night.
Canes looked sluggish in the first two periods of the game. Actually, the third wasn't much better, but at least Ray Whitney notched a goal.
An interesting occurence was that there were absolutely no penalties in the first 32 minutes of the game! And, of course, the penalties that they do call are complete crap (read: Vincent Lecavalier penalty shot).
Anyways... Canes played like crap. Not really much else to say other than that...
What's really odd is that Keith Aucoin was sent down to Albany today and Ryan Bayda was called up. I didn't think Aucoin was playing too bad - I wonder why he was sent down? Is there some kind of cap/contract issue I'm not aware of?
Next game is Saturday against the Thrashers.
Yep. A 5-1 loss to the Lightning last night.
Canes looked sluggish in the first two periods of the game. Actually, the third wasn't much better, but at least Ray Whitney notched a goal.
An interesting occurence was that there were absolutely no penalties in the first 32 minutes of the game! And, of course, the penalties that they do call are complete crap (read: Vincent Lecavalier penalty shot).
Anyways... Canes played like crap. Not really much else to say other than that...
What's really odd is that Keith Aucoin was sent down to Albany today and Ryan Bayda was called up. I didn't think Aucoin was playing too bad - I wonder why he was sent down? Is there some kind of cap/contract issue I'm not aware of?
Next game is Saturday against the Thrashers.
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