The Big Guy is in a big slump

[SoCalcaniac]

So I think the in game production errors has kinda run it's course (lol it never will) I just got off a mind numbing call and logged onto LSB and found Luke chiming in on the subject some of us have been stressing out about- and others loudly complaining about.

Clearly it's concerning that Eric Staal hasn't scored in forever-- what does he do to get it back? When will Eric be ok? ;)



Canes big guy in big slump

As happy as the Hurricanes were to see Sergei Samsonov score his first goal of the season Tuesday, they know they have a bigger issue with “the big guy,” as Ray Whitney put it.

The 2-1 win over Montreal was Eric Staal’s eighth consecutive game without a goal, and he has scored only once in the past 12 games.
To put this in perspective, Staal has gone eight or more games without a goal only four times since the lockout, with his longest drought weighing in at nine games. (As a rookie in 2003-04, he went 33 games without a goal.) So this is unusual stuff for Staal, who has five goals in 19 games this season.

Samsonov, after talking to Carolina’s coaching staff, decided to shoot his way out of his slump. After taking 10 shots in the previous six games combined, Samsonov had six on Tuesday.

Staal had two (he did ring one attempt off the post), and he has taken four or fewer in each of the past six games. When he’s at his best, he’s shooting the puck at least five or six times a game, so that may be a starting point for him.

Samsonov scored Tuesday. Ray Whitney scored his second in the past eight games. Rod Brind’Amour has three goals in the past five games. That’s a start.

Now it’s time for Staal, Matt Cullen (no goals in his past six games), Scott Walker (one goal in the past six games), Patrick Eaves (no goals in 15 games this season), Ryan Bayda (no goals in seven games) and Chad LaRose (no goals in seven games) to follow suit.

The expectations for each are different, but the Canes need contributions from everyone — starting, first and foremost, with Staal.



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[VandyCane]

I think that's the biggest difference between Samsonov's slump and Staal's. I saw Samsonov taking good shots, working hard and showing ok body language. Staal on the other hand looks dejected, frustrated and physically off. If the injury is the issue he really should rest. If not then he needs to shoot tons and hit anything that crosses his path.

[KaniacFever]

Maybe he should put his sticks in a bucket of ice like Samsonov did. Couldn't hurt to try, then come out and just shoot, good angle, bad angle whatever. One of those will eventually find its way in.

[toastmasterbone]

^ Or in a bucket of methylamphetamine liquid (with some calcium carbonate tossed in for increased absorption).

Rx

[livinthedream]

Here's what he needs - his own bobblehead!

http://mm.ticketmaster.com/tmbrowseimages/carolina%20hurricanes/email//STAAL_BOBBLEHEAD.JPG

Be sure to get here early on Dec. 18, as the first 10,000 fans entering the building will receive an Eric Staal bobblehead!

[Canesluver]

OMG!! His face looks like a blow-up doll!
:laugh:

[Alicia]

Canes big guy in big slumpThank you, Capt. Obvious!

[CajunCaniac]

OMG!! His face looks like a blow-up doll!
:laugh:

ROFL...

[puck_it]

OMG!! His face looks like a blow-up doll!
:laugh:

know that from experience?

[LeslieK]

Forslund's blog today is on this same topic...

Head Games... (http://www.wralsportsfan.com/rs/blogpost/4001832/)

It was great to see Sergei Samsonov finish off a beautiful pass from Patrick Eaves on Tuesday to register his first goal of the season. It's obviously been a long time coming and certainly let's hope it's a precursor of things to come. Tonight, as the Canes look to continue their momentum let's hope the same "breaking of the dam" occurs for Eric Staal. In a season where everybody is scratching their heads wondering why his offensive production has been stalemated maybe it's as simple as the mind taking over the body. Listen, I'm no Dr. Phil (wouldn't want to be) and certainly have never walked in this players shoes, but it appears that a little positive karma tonight against the "Great One's" desert dogs might go a long way.

Speaking with Matt Cullen last week the conversation got around to Eric Staal and what he's going through. Matt remembered back to time when early in his career he was put into a position of trying to justify to himself his first lucrative contract. He mentioned that it took him at least 25 to 30 games before he could play "his" game and not worry about trying too hard to prove he was worthy. It becomes counter productive. He spoke about the respect he and his teammates have for number 12 and how no one it that room cares more than Eric. I found it very revealing considering he basically brought it up out of no where.

I bring this up not as a Staal apologist but more as a depiction of what some of the athletes battle in terms of the mental side of the game. These guys are the best in the world at what they do. They are well compensated. In Eric's case really well compensated. Hockey players for the most part don't possess that since of entitlement that unfortunately some athletes develop today. Some are in a way taken back by the money that they are awarded for playing the same game many grew up playing in their backyard. I know where you probably going, c'mon Fors give me a break we would all like to have those million dollar worries. I hear ya, on that one but when a player of this ability struggles there has to be something ticking.

Look at his line mates for example. On the left side you have Mr. Samsonov. He joined the Canes in January of last year, was a point a gamer and earned a brand new three year contract well before the free agency period even started. Now he comes back the same guy, good attitude everything to play for and it takes him 19 to get his first. You wonder why. Is it lack of effort ? Poor attitude ? Bad Luck ? Well, maybe too much effort or too much care leads to the hex. On the right side you have Tuomo Ruutu, who arguably has been Carolina's best forward this season. After shaking off an early injury he's healthy, happy and let ting it all hang out. There's a jump in his step that has correlated directly to big points. But remember, he's playing for that contract. He signed a one year deal during this past summer. It's a totally different mindset, he's playing for the bowl of lucky charms.

Now, we get back to franchise player. Yes, earlier this season he played through an injury. Nobody admitted it but It had to hamper him a bit. He played through it and made some offensive contributions. Now it's completely dried up. His game is starting to look a little uncharacteristic. His skating stride a bit off. His play making decisions not quite right and a times has turned the puck over or taking the odd penalty. In all aspects of his makeup, talent and character, this doesn't jive. Maybe Eric is experiencing what his mate Cullen spoke about. Maybe he's trying to put too much weight on those broad shoulders. I will tell you this, I liked his practice yesterday and his mood afterward.

It's the Hurricanes Dad's weekend (I don't why they don't do a Mom's weekend for a change) and under these circumstances, Eric has been at his best. Maybe it starts tonight. take the lead from number 15 and let it all hang out. It time to see that fist pump on the glass after scoring that big goal. It's time too witness that big smile while out of breath along the bench. The "Great One's" in the house. He had the ability to play his best under the brightest lights. Well, the lights aren't exactly the brightest on November 21st in Raleigh, but guess what big boy it's time to get going.

Sometimes the head takes over and dominates in a negative direction. I know you heard Ray Whitney at the end of the Montreal game, "we have to get the big boy going." They will, he can't do it alone.

Cheers !

[livinthedream]

Thanks, Leslie. I swear Forslund is just head and shoulders above any of his media rivals, in fact I'm not even sure he has a rival.

[nccanes]

Sometimes JF has too many words for me to read with too few paragraphs. :lol:

Sometimes I'm more the Razor type! :lol:

http://blog.dallasstars.com/images/ads.gif

http://blog.dallasstars.com/archives/2008/11/starbucks_alias.html

[SoCalcaniac]

:lol::laugh: E! That pic of Darryl Reaugh! HILARIOUS.

I am a fan of JF's buddy Darryl Reaugh, however, he does have alot of Dennis Miller tendencies (he's very cerebral) in his analysis. But he really is great.

LTD- I agree with your JF comment. There are times, especially when I am so steamed after a bad loss, or some horrid play by the Canes, I will listen to Forslund break it all down, or his commentary about this team, and he literally has this calming affect on me. he allows me to refocus, go back to the TiVo and re-examine what I may have perceived as idiotic, and review it with a different perspective. Forslund completely has his finger on the pulse of this team. He does it far better than some of his peers notably in NY and at times in BOS where the media that is even paid by the clubs have a tendency to throw a player under the bus in the name of being on top of the story. Forslund would never do that- but he's not all happy-happy let's sing songs and love each other; he has a different way of calling a player out- or putting them in the hotseat.

I feel I'm on the verge with my #12 jersey mojo. I will come back with the ATL All Star Game #12 jersey, the dads are will be in the house, and I feel like Eric is thisclose. It's happenin' tonight- with the Dads and Wayne in the building.

[StormChaserBH]

playing for the bowl of lucky charms

My new favorite phrase.

(for a few minutes at least :D)

[livinthedream]

^ Yeah, I liked that one too. I just hope those lucky charms are being eaten here in Raleigh for a long time to come.

SoCal, I feel exactly the same way about Mr. Forslund, and about Mr. Staal.

[StormShaman]

I am a fan of JF's buddy Darryl Reaugh, however, he does have alot of Dennis Miller tendencies (he's very cerebral) in his analysis.

You say that like it's a bad thing. :P

[Mona2006]

:pOMG!! His face looks like a blow-up doll!
:laugh:

Somebody has been to Priscilla's or Adam and Eve! :lol:

I hope he can get on track starting tonight. I don't like seeing him struggle. :(

[apolinar]

I'd be slumping too if I knew my bobble head doll put me in the baby bird mouth pose. (Just trying to get CL off the hook)

[SoCalcaniac]

So #99 is now being asked about #12's slump in LSB:



Gretzky wary of slumping Staal

Wayne Gretzky didn't wait for the question to end. The Phoenix Coyotes coach obviously was already attuned to the same idea.
Question: When a proven scorer like the Canes' Eric Staal has been in a slump, as an opposing coach coming into a game, does that make you a little ...
"A little nervous?" Gretzky said, finishing the sentence. "Yeah."
Gretzky, with a wry grin, noted the Coyotes helped Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash bust out of his slump last week. Nash scored his first goal in 10 games, albeit in the Coyotes' 5-2 win. Tonight, the Coyotes face Staal, who is without a goal in his last eight games.
"Everybody, and I don't care who you are, you go through stretches in your career where things don't go the way you want it to go," he said. "But as long as you're contributing and working hard, as Nash does in Columbus, like Staal does here at Carolina, you're eventually going to get that goal. And once you get that one, you kind of break through and get going.
"But as a coach, I'll tell you, there are a lot of other little things a guy can do to help his hockey club. And watching Staal play, he does that. He's big, he's strong, he's physical, he wins faceoffs. He does a lot of good things for the team and he's going to get his goals."

[puck_it]

Gretzky went on to say, "I remember that prolonged slump I had in the 86-87 season. I think I only got like 38 goals in the first fifty games of the season."

[Caniac]

I think we can go ahead and call the slump over. :spin:

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I'll call the slump over after next game if he continues to play well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with Staal. The entire team played a heck of a game tonight, and Staal was a HUGE part of that. He played his tail off tonight.

I just want to see a consistent effort, and next game will indicate to me whether or not he gets it done.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think his effort has been consistent for 3 games now. The only thing different about tonight, IMO, was that the goals went in.....and in and in. :lol:

[puck_it]

i cant call it over until he establishes his scoring ways again... It's a great start, but hopefully he hasnt shot his wad for another 10 games.

[IceSun]

Gretzky wary of slumping Staal

See, the Great One is still skating to where the puck is going to be - He was the first one to pick Staal breaking out against his team :)

[Mona2006]

The best part about Staaly coming out of his slump in this game.. is I think I saw the slump climb onto to Olli's back. We can only hope right? :evil::lol:

Way to go Eric! :nanner::yippee::jig:

[cmw00]

So is this the beginning of a new slump or a continuation of the previous/current slump fo Staal? lol

I am with the people that think one game isn't really an end to a slump.