Brace Yourselves: My O'Neill Rant

[EpiK-KA14]

I cannot for the life of me figure out how you guys thought O'Neill had a good game??? I understand he's a fan favorite, especially with the ladies, but he doesn't deserve to be above criticm for that... There were at least FIVE instances last night where someone was either passing the puck to him, or a loose puck bounced his way and instead of going to get it, O'Neill either waited for it, or started to break up the ice hoping the puck would catch him on the fly. And each time a Pen stepped in and swiped the puck away. Sorry folks, but that is fundamental hockey and right now O'Neill in NOT playing it.

I firmly believe that O'Neill either needs a night on the fourth line with the grinders to remind him how he's expected to play or a night in the stands so he can watch the rest of the team play. It's harsh, but it's the swift kick in the arse he desperately needs right now.

Supposedly he's one of our "finishers" but if he's not willing to work as hard to make the plays so he CAN finish, he's not helping us. We're getting lots of scoring opportunities from our grinders who work hard to make their shots, but they don't finish as well - hence our low shooting percentage. Unfortunately were not getting those types of opportunities from our scorers (save for Cole). O'Neill, our so-called big finisher is one of the guys who need to be working hard for his chances. It pisses me off that he thinks he can wait for Francis to feed him his nightly quota of passes so he doesn't have to work hard himself.

This isn't a new issue either. Personally, I don't blame Maurice for skating him in the now infamous practice last year. If I see O'Neill roll his eyes one more time when someone misses a pass and then skate away instead of digging for the puck I'm gonna chuck my remote at the screen.

O'Neill can be a huge asset to this team, but he can't let his huge ego get in the way. (Sorry folks, but I believe that from the bottom of my heart.) He's not helping this team by getting frustrated with them. He needs to get frustrated with himself and find the motivation to play hard-nosed hockey regardless of what line he is on before he's going to get out of this slump and start putting the puck in the net for us again.

OK all you O'Neill fans. You can flame me now. I'm done. :beatup:

[jhardman]

That flame won't come from me. I agree with you 100%, and this is a major point in Mr. O'Neill's career. He's going to have to step up and become the leader of the Canes first line, and it is becoming obvious to me that he doesn't have the leadership capabilities to do just that. We got to see the tutelage of Bayda on that line last year, but the bulk of it was coming from Francis. I firmly believe the reason Staal isn't on the first line now is because O'Neill can't step his game up to be more team oriented, and that he has to get over himself.

I think a good healthy scratch in a couple of back-to-back home games might be just what the doctor ordered. Mo might not do that right now, though, since he can feel the barrel of that invisible gun pointed at his temple. But if he did it, we'd get to see whether ol' Jeffie would either sulk about it, vent his frustrations through the media, or step up his game. I would hope it would be the latter.

[StormShaman]

I understand he's a fan favorite, especially with the ladies

I'm sorry, but you lost me as a reader with that line--especially the part that I have in boldface. That was uncalled-for and just plain wrong, regardless of any salient points you may have had (and regardless of whether or not I might agree with those points) in the rest of your post.

[rons#1fan]

I have to agree with a lot of points that have been made. I think Jeff is his own worse enemy and until he can overcome his temperment, I don't see him in a leadership role. However, I do believe he understands what might happen if he doesn't step-up his play. Last year when he was dropped down a line or two, he was very professional in the paper and said he had no problems with Coach Mo doing what he did. He (Jeff) stunk and needed to get off that first line. So let's just hope everything starts falling into place for him and the team. We (fans and team) need a big win to keep the morale up.

Side note...what did you think of Rod's interview between periods with Tripp? Did he look totally bummed or what?

[Guyute]

Yes, Obviously Jeff needs to put up or shut up. now is the time. he's supposed to be the next leader of this team...

honestly, I don't see that happening. I see Rod taking it for a bit, and then most likely would be Cole. I don't think Jeff is a leader. He has great talent, and in most cases, works hard... but not All cases. Look at Brindy. dude goes 130% non-stop. practice, weight-room, games, whatever. and that has rubbed off on Cole. Jeff could use some of that. a leader needs that.

but, the point (for the present) is that Jeff needs to step up. Yes I thought he played a *better* game last night. better than what? better than the previous 4 games. why do I think that? he showed some fire. he was running people down. we all know his game gets on track faster when he's playing a physical game... so when I see that from him, I have to hope that scoring will come soon.

I don't disagree that sometimes he's lackadaisical (sp) and could use a swift kick in the ass. is now that time? I'm not so sure. I don't know if sitting him would get him going. personally, I'd put him with B&C for a little bit... let him watch some guys really work. anyway, it's kind of moot. no way Mo sits Jeff... he knows his job is on the line here. we're bearing down on November, and we've rarely scored more than 1 goal a game. we're still winless. things are not looking good for him.

[EpiK-KA14]

StormShaman, it's your perogative not to continue to read on. It's your perogative to agree or disagree with what I wrote, including that first line.

But I stand by what I said. In the past, it has often difficult to speak out against O'Neill here and on the old 'Canes forum because there would be several tenacious O'Neill fans - almost exclusively women - who would come to his defense.

That's fact. You can go back and check old threads if you want. I was simply acknowledging that fact as a disclaimer before I got started, so you should consider it a nod to them and their point of view instead of a slam of some kind.

Basically, feel free to disagree with anything I said - including my initial statement. But it's pretty sad if you use that as an excuse to NOT read on...

[StormShaman]

Show me where I said I did or didn't agree with anything that you said about Jeff O'Neill. Please put your answer here: ___________________

What I took exception to was the cheap shot at the ladies on this board that like O'Neill. It was a snide low-blow that has no place in a discussion.

[cmw00]

Whats wrong with saying Jeff O'Neil is a fan favorite "especially with the ladies"? He is, and its the truth?

But anyways, O'Neil was playing downright Jagrish hockey. He picked it up alittle lastnight, but still not where he needs to be. O'Neil is a slow starter though. Maybe if he wasn't and could get his act together sooner he could be a 40+ goal scorer every season.

[EpiK-KA14]

I never said you didn't agree with me, I said you shouldn't have quit reading. So, filling in your blank:

I'm sorry, but you lost me as a reader with that line--especially the part that I have in boldface.

And cmw00 has it right. It wasn't a slam in any shape or form.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Any chance O'Neill is tanking it in hopes that Mo will get canned? It's hard for me to tell. It just seems weird that in practice he can shoot a puck so accurately he can hit a water bottle off a ledge, but in games this year he can't seem to put the puck anywhere near the net.

[Guyute]

tanking it? well.. only if he's a better actor than hockey player. you see the stick-smashing rampage at the RBC the other night? That is pure-T frustration... not an act.

besides... while he may want a different coach... him looking more like a 4th liner than a sniper isn't doing him ANY good.

[Cool Hand Luke]

That's true, plus he has contract negotiations coming up again at the end of this year. Having a bad year won't help him make the big bucks.

stupid idea..*L* *slaps my head*

[EpiK-KA14]

Just a comment, standing still and shooting a puck at a waterbottle on a ledge or at a target at a goal is one thing. Let's see him do it while skating...

Someone needs to go find him a barn so he can practice hitting the side of it. :D

Anyway, it seems that Bayda has been brought up for Tetarenko. Hopefully putting Ryan with O'Neill and Francis will ignite that line...

That way we put Joe back with Brindy and Cole, then play the Adams/Adams/Murray as our grinder line leaving Jessie to protect the two kids. I have been waiting to see Vrbata get some time with Staal (meaning more than a single shift or two) and see if they can built some chemistry with each other.

[rons#1fan]

I wonder if Jeff was on any ADD medicine when he was younger ? Those tantrums he pulls (stick smashing) - are signs doctors would medicate a child in a heartbeat when all some children (Jeff) need is a swift kick in the a-- to get them to straighten up. I say this half in jest so please realize that this is not a comment directed towards children that do need some medicinal help....it's more like Jeff just acting like a child instead of dealing with situations as an adult.

[MoBigRed]

I agree completely, EpiK, and i'm glad to see you have some negativity left in you :beatup:

I started to comment last night that Francis finally got his head out of the clouds and that O'Neill would be lonely up there now, but that would have been an unfair statement towards Francis, who has looked a little out of step but far from 'head-in-the-clouds'.

While he looked a little better, O'Neill has not impressed me one iota this season, and with the offensive difficulties this team is having, it's time. Cole is scoring. Vrbata hasn't scored, but he's had some great sniffs and he's created some great chances, such as Francis' goal last night. But O'Neill just hasn't been doing it IMO. I hope tonight changes things!

As far as your comment about O'Neill being a fan favorite, especially with the ladies, i don't see how anyone could take exception to it. As cmw said, he is, and it's the truth. I don't see how that comment was a 'snide low blow' to anyone. http://www.randakk.com/emo/confused.gif

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I agree with many of the criticisms posted here about O'Neill...mostly outside of the original post, however, since it was filled with conjecture and projection of what you *think* Jeff O'Neill is feeling/thinking. Examples?
It pisses me off that he thinks he can wait for Francis to feed him his nightly quota of passes so he doesn't have to work hard himself.
[How do you know what he thinks?]
.....
If I see O'Neill roll his eyes one more time when someone misses a pass and then skate away instead of digging for the puck I'm gonna chuck my remote at the screen.
[You can see his eyes when watching the game on TV? Wow. That must be one nice TV.]
.....
He's not helping this team by getting frustrated with them. He needs to get frustrated with himself
[How do you know who's he's frustrated at?]

The title of "natural goal scorer" has been place on O'Neill. I'm not totally sure I think it fits but that's what he has been labeled. I read someone once say that another name for a natural goal scorer was loafer. Ever watch Brett Hull play? He lurks around the perimeter waiting for the chance the swoop in and bang the puck in. That's what O'Neill does. And that is what has worked for him in the past so I can't blame him for that. JEFF O'NEILL DOES NOT PLAY THE SAME GAME AS KEVYN ADAMS. (Or Rod Brind'amour or Eric Cole for that matter) Comparing the two simply isn't fair to either of them since Adams would come out looking pretty bad on that comparison as well. Do I wish O'Neill looked like he were giving more of an effort than he does? Absolutely. Do I have any idea how much of an effort he is actually giving? No. And neither does anyone else.

Jeff O'Neill is always a slow starter. The season he scored 41 goals he had only 6 goals in the first 24 games. The last two seasons (where he has hit 30 goals) I think he had something like 8 goals in the first 24 games.

And, just for fun, since we're throwing out the "ladies" liking O'Neill how about I throw out my opinion that many men are jealous of him?

I never have understood the ego comments. He's a moody person, no doubt about that. But wouldn't a player with a huge ego, coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, perhaps try to push this team for a higher contract than they offered him? O'Neill didn't. He took what he was offered saying he just wanted to get it signed and get back to work. Where's the ego? Ronnie didn't even do that. I don't see that he has any more than any other professional athlete.

I wish O'Neill would get back to that physical game that he played when he scored those 41 goals (and I think he is trying to). I wish he would GO TO THE FREAKIN' NET!! But, then I'm screaming at half the team to do that and they don't all have their own personal rant thread. I guess O'Neill should take that as a compliment. I wish he would start scoring goals to shut people up and to hopefully win some games.

So, there's my opinion. But, then, I'm obviously just another one of those female O'Neill fans.

[DeFauw Fan]

Now you've opened it up SHC. :D
I completely agree and can't really understand why "we" are jumping on him already when looking at his history. It is pretty much a guarantee he will start out slow and also slump again for about a month mid-season. I don't buy into the whole "huge ego" thing either. Yes, he is moody and right now frustrated with his game, but I don't see how that means he has "ego" problems. I think confidence is his problem and once he pots a few all will be fine.

[MoBigRed]

I think confidence is his problem and once he pots a few all will be fine.


The truest comment of the whole thread, methinks.

[ausoleil]

O seemed to be playing with renewed vigor to start the year, especially with his physical play. When O is physical, O is a force. When O goes "euro-style" he's, well, mediocre. but that seems to have tailed off lately.

One wonders what the cause of that is, because if there is one thing I have yet to do is question his heart. I think he's doing his best, but I also wonder if he is hurt. Crashing into the boards the other day certainly didn't help him either.

Nevertheless, I think that we should put Adams and Vrbata up on the line with Ronnie. Natural scorer and a great grinder with a superb tactician and passer....could wear the foghorn out if you know what I mean.

[EpiK-KA14]

Hey SHC,

You make a few good points. I was shocked it took this long for people to come to his defense.

Let me answer a few of your questions:

It pisses me off that he thinks he can wait for Francis to feed him his nightly quota of passes so he doesn't have to work hard himself.
[How do you know what he thinks?]

As an ex-competitive hockey player, it's quite obvious to watch how O'Neill "reads" the plays. You can watch his eyes (which leads to the next question, so hold on. :D) and see where he goes when Ronnie plays the puck. Watching his actions on the ice go a long way into understanding what a player is thinking, and in many cases what they will do. Why do you think professional athletes watch so much film? It's to pick up tendencies and to know what they are going to do in certain situations. So, in short - THAT'S how I know what he thinks! :smoke:
.....
If I see O'Neill roll his eyes one more time when someone misses a pass and then skate away instead of digging for the puck I'm gonna chuck my remote at the screen.
[You can see his eyes when watching the game on TV? Wow. That must be one nice TV.]

Why thank you. :D Granted some of it comes from watching at games too. But in all seriousness, you CAN and SHOULD watch the players eyes, it's easy to do if you have any sort of decent TV.
.....
He's not helping this team by getting frustrated with them. He needs to get frustrated with himself
[How do you know who's he's frustrated at?]

That goes back to the eye-rolling whenever a bad pass comes his way. Those eye-rolls are noticibly absent when they come from Francis, nor are they overly evident when HE misses a pass to someone else. Add to the fact about his little outburst last season about "the skate" and how he didn't think he should have been included.
.....

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as hopeful as the next person that he breaks out of this funk. But I will NEVER buy into the "he's a slow starter" as an excuse. He needs to step up and he needs to do now, or the coach needs to smack him around a bit.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Hey SHC,

You make a few good points. I was shocked it took this long for people to come to his defense. And you just KNEW it would be me, huh? ;)


But I will NEVER buy into the "he's a slow starter" as an excuse. He needs to step up and he needs to do now, or the coach needs to smack him around a bit. I agree with that. And it's no excuse, IMO, either. It's just a fact of the past. But I still don't agree that you have any idea what is really going on in his head.

As far as waiting for the pass from Ronnie, um, isn't that his job? Isn't that the point of Ronnie and O? Ronnie sets 'em up, O knocks 'em in? Now we're gonna criticize the formula that has worked for years? Of course he's looking for Ronnie's pass. I would be too.

[ausoleil]

Now we're gonna criticize the formula that has worked for years

Last year certainly was a banner year for that formula.

Seriously, yes, it has worked in the past, but a grinding, hard-hitting O is a force. A laid back one is average at best. Seems like he's wavering between the two. Let's see how how he does the next three days.

He'll get his act together, the guy is an all-star and deservedly so. Six games is only the edge of a slump, much less a bad year. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to see 25-30 in the back of the net from O (over the whole season), so let's hold off until February to say he's having a horrible season.

We just need that line to get it together. Ronnie scored his first last night, I would expect the same from O within two to three games, max.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I admit that O needs to get his head out of wherever it is and get his mind on hockey, but why is it that everytime a player that is admired for his looks as well as his talent that part is always brought up first???? I admit he is handsome but first and foremost, I want him AND the team to do well. As mentioned earlier, he is a slow starter....but I do feel that something is wrong somewhere...don't know if it is personal or a rif with a coach or player....I saw Mo's looks towards O everytime he came off the line last night.. I just hope it is resolved soon and he starts scoring before he is watching the Canes from Lowell!! :crazy:

[MoBigRed]

I admit that O needs to get his head out of wherever it is and get his mind on hockey, but why is it that everytime a player that is admired for his looks as well as his talent that part is always brought up first


All he said was that O'Neill doesn't deserve to be above criticism because of the fact he's a fan favorite.

But back to the subject on hand, i gotta say Staal's goal was all Jeff. Beautiful setup! And Jeff looked good the rest of the period as well. Great job, O! That's what i'm talking about!

[MeanGene]

Thank You for posting this! Reverse Jinx results in a 2 point night!

[Jeff O Rocks]

I admit that O needs to get his head out of wherever it is and get his mind on hockey, but why is it that everytime a player that is admired for his looks as well as his talent that part is always brought up first


All he said was that O'Neill doesn't deserve to be above criticism because of the fact he's a fan favorite.



My point was after he said that O was a fan favorite......and especially with the ladies was added.......... glad O had a good game.

[hyena]

O sux! he's such a bum! send him to lowell!!!!!!!1111 ;)

i'm kidding of course. :angel: i thought that maybe if the criticism in this thread gave him good mojo for this win against Boston, then why not add some more? he's got to get 40 goals you know. :beatup:

:D

[Jeff O Rocks]

O sux! he's such a bum! send him to lowell!!!!!!!1111 ;)

i'm kidding of course. :angel: i thought that maybe if the criticism in this thread gave him good mojo for this win against Boston, then why not add some more? he's got to get 40 goals you know. :beatup:

:D

Good idea Amanda.. ;) ;) Whatever superstition works!! :spin:

[MoBigRed]

I admit that O needs to get his head out of wherever it is and get his mind on hockey, but why is it that everytime a player that is admired for his looks as well as his talent that part is always brought up first


All he said was that O'Neill doesn't deserve to be above criticism because of the fact he's a fan favorite.



My point was after he said that O was a fan favorite......and especially with the ladies was added.......... glad O had a good game.


Ah, OK. Well then all he said was that O'Neill doesn't deserve to be above criticism because of the fact he's a fan favorite, especially with the ladies. ;)

In any case, O'Neill was excellent tonight. I hope he keeps this up the rest of the year!

[Lady J]

It's been pretty obvious that the fella has something hanging him up. He's a naturally talented player, he doesn't have to put in a whole lot of effort to be good at what he does. It just looks like he's not really trying, or trying in fits and starts. And that is all I'll say on that subject.

Epik ~ I'm not an ONeill fan myself, but tossing in the gender reference in regards to what type of fan base he draws would spuriously imply that, since most of his fans are female, they would rush to their sweet boy's aid like territorial and irrational girlfriends at the first hint of criticism. Whether that is true or not didn't seem to be the point of your comments, which I perceived to be about Jeff's disappointing performance levels. ( which I largely agree with ).

[RIO]

Women fans liking Jeff O'Neill has about as little pertinence to the argument of his poor playing as Kevin's being black has to do with him being a goalie. In other words, it has no bearing on the debate whatsoever. I also like shoes and the color pink, but it doesnt make me a pink shoe, now does it?

Basic debate skills, people. Jeff may have a female following, but that has nothing to do with his abilities, which was SUPPOSED to be the point of the rant.

Having said that, I'm going to go make not-so-innocent gender-based evaluations at the expense of men until I feel better.

[caniac369]

Women fans liking Jeff O'Neill has about as little pertinence to the argument of his poor playing as Kevin's being black has to do with him being a goalie. In other words, it has no bearing on the debate whatsoever. I also like shoes and the color pink, but it doesnt make me a pink shoe, now does it?

Well said, Rio.

I would like to add one thing: The comments that were made above about O'Neill's popularity with the ladies leads this Hurricanes fan to believe that you share the same brain as Luke DeCock when it comes to attitudes about women liking a sports team soley based on the looks of the players (reference to DeCock's comments to the "lunch bunch" the day Bates got traded; he basicly made it sound like we should be devistated b/c Bates got traded with reference to his hair).

I'm not trying to insult anyone; that's just my feeling and observation after reading this all yesterday and thinking about it on the ride to work this morning... :roll:

[nccanes]

What's the penalty for piling on? ;)

[caniac369]

What's the penalty for piling on? ;)

No penalty, dear! ;)

[rons#1fan]

I just lost my entry...what the heck???? Anyway, if I didn't know any better I would have thought "O" took a peek at this thread before the Boston game and decided to step it up ! :D Can you believe Boston only had 18 shots on goal....they weren't playing that bad but we were BETTER! Even Barry had a few good things to say about the Canes. Definitely a good night!

[Guyute]

I also like shoes and the color pink, but it doesnt make me a pink shoe, now does it?
no dear. you're many things, but a pink shoe is not what I would lead with. :p


Having said that, I'm going to go make not-so-innocent gender-based evaluations at the expense of men until I feel better.

bring it on you Soup Monger!!!

[caniac369]

Anyway, if I didn't know any better I would have thought "O" took a peek at this thread before the Boston game and decided to step it up !

You never know... :eek2:

[EpiK-KA14]

Man, I hope he did. He actually PASSED. And he SCORED! (Maybe he found that barn and practiced hitting the side of it. :D)

And he even almost smiled once...

[crazy4canes]

I also like shoes and the color pink, but it doesnt make me a pink shoe, now does it?

:laugh: Rio, you nut.

Hey Epik, I think they're posting your rant threads in the Canes locker room, so keep up the good work. ;)

[RIO]

Man, I hope he did. He actually PASSED. And he SCORED! (Maybe he found that barn and practiced hitting the side of it. :D)

And he even almost smiled once...

Now this here little pink shoe finds this funny. :D

[RIO]

no dear. you're many things, but a pink shoe is not what I would lead with. :p

perhaps a nice tweedy Galliano spat, then? :smoke: :D or maybe a lovely Blahnik slide?


bring it on you Soup Monger!!!

Forsooth, yon troublemaker!!! *rolls her little pink sleeves for fisticuffs* I shall thrash thee, anon!!

[Lady J]

Forsooth, yon troublemaker!!! *rolls her little pink sleeves for fisticuffs* I shall thrash thee, anon!!


Hey now, take the Shakespearean smack talk outside ladies ... we have impressionable ears in here. :evil: :p

[EpiK-KA14]

No no no no no!!!! Keep it here! Chick-fights are fun!

(And before you flame me, the guys fight on the ice - so we ARE entitled to some turnabout :beatup: )

[nccanes]

No no no no no!!!! Keep it here! Chick-fights are fun!


LOL, but wasn't it Rio and Guy!?

[Guyute]

*Ahem*

Miss J, because of that, you shall also face the wrath.

[Lady J]

No no no no no!!!! Keep it here! Chick-fights are fun!


LOL, but wasn't it Rio and Guy!?

:evil: heheheh... those were the two I ws referring to... :evil:

[Lady J]

*Ahem*

Miss J, because of that, you shall also face the wrath.

Bring it on foaming sweet cheeks. :kiss:

[Guyute]

*checks rump*

hmmm...

[Jeff O Rocks]

*checks rump*

hmmm...

now how does SHE know that your cheeks are foaming??? :D :p ;)

[Lady J]

*checks rump*

hmmm...

now how does SHE know that your cheeks are foaming??? :D :p ;)

:p ... from his location... :evil:

[Jeff O Rocks]

*checks rump*

hmmm...

now how does SHE know that your cheeks are foaming??? :D :p ;)

:p ... from his location... :evil:

you saved your ass on that one Miss Missy!! :p ;)

[Lady J]

you saved your ass on that one Miss Missy!! :p ;)

;) :evil: