IMO those passes were not "there" and this is not the first game I've seen that crap from this year's team. That stuff is speculative at best, even against poorly organized defenses. It's one thing to have a single guy like DeAngelo spraying those things around like a wonky sprinkler head, but when you've got 4 or 5 other guys doing the same thing it's an absolute possession killer ... and this team is built to possess the puck. Whey they don't it inevitably falls apart, especially when the goaltending isn't good ... and it decidedly is not good right now.I noticed that too. I think if they were crisp with their passing more of those would get through. It’s not that those passes aren’t there but the space/time window is fleeting. Kind of like a QB being late on the throw. The window is only open for a second and it’s a small window.
It’s certainly not there by the time they try to make the play. The point is they need to make the play they have instead of the one that was maybe there a second earlier. They’re not doing that. Instead they’re flailing away on a fling and a prayer. plus they’re predictable about it so the other team is poised for it and too often blocking shots or intercepting passes leading to chances against and penalties because we’re chasing the plays.IMO those passes were not "there" and this is not the first game I've seen that crap from this year's team.
I'd say probably not, because he's got the one thing you can't just go get on the open market (without paying a fortune) ... actual talent.Wonder if they’d consider moving Necas for a center? I get the mr overtime stuff and maybe that’s enough to get interest somewhere. But I’m still not sure he’s ever going to fit Rod’s player type. Clearly we’re a little more stocked in defense for a trade but it’s not often you actually here rod say anything about changes.
I’d put Bunting in that category too. There were times yesterday where it looked like he was carrying a piano on his back. If he can’t keep up with the pace of his linemates, he’s not going to be much help.This team is stacked with talent, it’s just not meshing right now. The biggest changes affecting that in my opinion is the addition of TDA and Orlov.
I forgot about bunting. Guess that says all you need to know lolI’d put Bunting in that category too. There were times yesterday where it looked like he was carrying a piano on his back. If he can’t keep up with the pace of his linemates, he’s not going to be much help.
Bunting can play the possession game and at times he mixes in just fine. And then he starts to act like he's on the Leafs again and starts blowing the D zone early looking for long passes ... which is a 1st Grade no-no in Canesland. He'll either get it and stick around or he won't and he'll get moved.I’d put Bunting in that category too. There were times yesterday where it looked like he was carrying a piano on his back. If he can’t keep up with the pace of his linemates, he’s not going to be much help.
Even with the additions, the Canes still don't have the kind of pure offensive skill to just go out and blow by organized defenses ... which is what they keep trying to do. They have enough skill and more importantly depth to play the way they're built. And they're built to pressure the puck, to suck all the air out of the building with sustained possession and to overwhelm teams with volume offense. Guys like Necas, Aho, Orlov, Burns (in spots ... he's old) and Svech (once he gets that monkey off his back) can make something out of nothing and sometimes you need that. But every contender has those guys ... and generally a better variety if we're being honest.This team is stacked with talent, it’s just not meshing right now. The biggest changes affecting that in my opinion is the addition of TDA and Orlov.
Necas is a beautiful skater and talented player, I’m not convinced we are the right team for him or he for us. He can dazzle, puck handle and skate but then just when he’s got you sitting on the edge of your seat, he becomes Sergei Samsonov..Wonder if they’d consider moving Necas for a center? I get the mr overtime stuff and maybe that’s enough to get interest somewhere. But I’m still not sure he’s ever going to fit Rod’s player type. Clearly we’re a little more stocked in defense for a trade but it’s not often you actually here rod say anything about changes.
OT points are important and he might be the best 3 on 3 player in the whole leagueNecas is a beautiful skater and talented player, I’m not convinced we are the right team for him or he for us. He can dazzle, puck handle and skate but then just when he’s got you sitting on the edge of your seat, he becomes Sergei Samsonov..
Have to get there first. He has 5 goals, 7 assists on the season. At even strength, he has 4 goals, 4 assists. But 2 of those goals and 1 assist were in OT, so at 5 on 5, he has 2 goals, 3 assists. And he‘s -9, worst among forwards, 2nd worst on the team, behind Orlov and tied with TDA.OT points are important and he might be the best 3 on 3 player in the whole league
I get all that, but somehow Necas seems to become the primary focus of fan heat whenever the team is doing badly whether he's producing or not. If they can't figure out how to play their game with a couple of guys who have legit high end talent on the roster then we may as well just give up on any Cup hopes ... and yet everybody around here seems to have those pretty firmly intact.Have to get there first. He has 5 goals, 7 assists on the season. At even strength, he has 4 goals, 4 assists. But 2 of those goals and 1 assist were in OT, so at 5 on 5, he has 2 goals, 3 assists. And he‘s -9, worst among forwards, 2nd worst on the team, behind Orlov and tied with TDA.
He’s a beautiful skater and can stick handle out of a phone booth. But if it amounts to nothing, we might was as well watch Scott Hamilton.