Anyone worried about performance this preseason?

[StormWarning]

I know it's just the preseason but we're getting shelled.

Anyone have any concerns about what they've seen from Ward (given up 7 goals) or the Canes (outscored 20-10)?

[Captain Slack]

I'm very worried. We've not shown the fire or personality we had last season. Our PP is awful and the D is not performing up to par.

Let's hope they pull it together before Wed. I don't want to give the Sabres fans the satisfaction of beating us on opening night.

[Zamboni]

I'm not that worried. Key guys were working hard last night. Clearly there will be a little more player shuffling, and it will make a big difference.

[caniac_26]

I'm with Capt. Slack on this one. We all remember the Hangover from 2002. I'd really hate for history to repeat itself. The debate in my mind has been going something like this: On the one hand, pre-season games don't count, so who cares if we lose? It's just a time to work out kinks and see what works (and what doesn't). Maybe the players realize this too, and they're saving the good stuff for when it really matters. On the other, pre-season performance does tend to set a tone for the rest of the season, and right now our tone is...crappy.

Furthermore, how does a Cane fan even set their expectations for this year? Last year we were predicted to be dead last, and we won the Cup. This year we're expected to be good enough to contend again, but look how we've started. For myself, I'm not expecting another Cup win (I certainly wouldn't complain, but honestly I don't know if my nerves could take another game 7), but I do expect us to be decent and make the playoffs. The enormous love and pride for last year's team is still very fresh in my mind, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is not last year's crew. Our keepers and the new guys this year will have to make their own brand of magic...but what an act to follow, ya know?

[cmw00]

I'm not that worried. Maybe alittle taste of loosing will do the guys good in the long run, kinda help bring them back down to earth.

I think our forwards are better starting this season than at the start of last and our defense is atleast just as good.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I'm definitlely worried.

[puck_it]

ask me at the end of octobuary

[Jay]

I'm worried.


For Buffalo ;)



Seriously. The team is fine. Last year we had a less-solid lineup set (nordgren, anybody?) and we did good in the preseason, but it really took a little while for us to get going with the right guys.

Maybe there's a little less of the "oh-crap-im-fighting-for-my-job" in this preseason? I think we'll be fine.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I just heard a discussion on XM with an Ottawa hockey media guy, a Toronto hockey media guy, and a Montreal hockey media guy all of whom predict we'll miss the playoffs. Therefore, I'm MUCH less worried today than I was yesterday. :lol:

[puckin_A]

:laugh:

they have nothing better to do then be jealous.

but having said that. I am worried. I don't see the same team as last preseason. They came out like blockbusters ready to prove something.

Granted we do have alot of key injuries. It might be because the two games I attended (last night) and the game in Nashville, we pretty much got outplayed. I let it slide in Nashville, because all the defenders (except Babchuk) were from the minors including goalie Justin Peters.

But last night??? We got SO outplayed by the BlueJackets. That might be saying something for how well they will be doing this year? Good young team with loads of speed.

time will tell.............I always worry.

[Zamboni]

^^That's great to hear!

I love predictions like that from the "pros." It's hilarious how quickly the media tide changes.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

At least they all admitted their opinion didn't mean much since they picked us to miss last season too. :lol:

The most interesting part to me was that the piece they think we will miss the most? The player they think we shouldn't have let go? Matt Cullen. Sure, no way should we have paid him $3.1 million but I think people who think he wasn't a big loss are in for a shock. Our 3rd line was better than a lot of teams' second (and a few teams' first) and that had a LOT to do with our success. Plus, they talked some about Cullen being a catalyst, making something happen when he was on the ice. Didn't see much of that in the RBC last night....or, at least not from the team in red. :sick: The good news is they don't seem to know that we replaced Cullen with about 4 other guys, lol.

Of course, they also think Recci and Weight being gone is going to be a hit. Hello? We were in 1st place before either of them arrived. (though, I miss them both)

[AbNormal27]

I'm concerned, but not worried. This franchise has never really had great pre-seasons. Last year was an exception, I mean, Big Joe was the top scorer in the entire league in the pre-season, so don't read too much into things just yet.

Aaryn

[puck_it]

this is the plan... im convinced of it. Tank the preseason. everyone begins to talk crap. We now become the underdogs fighting for respect. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR.

[nccanes]

I'm worried, but I kinda feel like I worred all thru last season too. I mean - I still can't get over we can score goals (though I guess last night we couldn't, lol).

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'm worried, but I kinda feel like I worred all thru last season too. I mean - I still can't get over we can score goals (though I guess last night we couldn't, lol).

Don't worry. It was just a hot goalie. :lol:



:(

[nccanes]

Don't worry. It was just a hot goalie. :lol:



:(

Thank you for completing the flashback! :lol:

[35thPony]

worried... we really look poor at the blue line and in nets... those things won't magically change in 4 days...

I am more worried cause we have Buff and NJ then 7 games on the road... That is scarier with a team trying to mesh with injuries and new players...

[SoCalcaniac]

wow- perhaps we should forfeit the season- cause apparently there's no point in playing.

[puck_it]

worried... we really look poor at the blue line and in nets... those things won't magically change in 4 days...

I am more worried cause we have Buff and NJ then 7 games on the road... That is scarier with a team trying to mesh with injuries and new players...
yeah we are a little weak on the blue line... but thats the reason Cam hasnt been stellar in net. Defense has been leaving him out to dry.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I'm not worried AT ALL.

So we had a crap preseason. That's just it. It's PRESEASON. They're gonna have their crap together for the regular season, they're gonna beat Buffalo. What better motivation than the SC banner?? :D I was a bit miffed with us in the preseason so far, but I just think of it as practice, which it is. I trust the Canes, I trust Lavi, they've got everything to prove, and they'll prove that they belong on the top of the East. :smoke: No problem. End of story. And if they DO suck? I still love them, and they're still awesome. I just want my Canes hockey. :laugh:

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I'm a bit concerned at this point. Mainly because of the D. Weak D puts a little too much pressure on Cam to make big saves. The O will sort itself out in due time. There is too much talent there not to. I think if I see a good effort against Washington, I'll feel much much better.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think if I see a good effort against Washington, I'll feel much much better.

Yeah, effort is the key word for me. Cause I didn't see it Friday night, that's for sure.

[Lady J]

I think Frank being injured has done baaaaad things to our D. :|

[CaniacKikiBB13]

this is the plan... im convinced of it. Tank the preseason. everyone begins to talk crap. We now become the underdogs fighting for respect. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR.

After the game, my mom and I were saying that this HAD to be the plan. :lol: Let 'em think we lost it and then - BAM - whip out some Hurricanes hockey!

As for me - Yeah, I'd like to see them win, but I'm not too troubled about the loses. I think the main problem is effort and, IMO, that'll change once the regular season gets going. It's looks like they're just trying to make it through without an injury...and like they're saving up for the regular season. I remember hearing Brind'amour on the radio the other day saying how hard it was to get into the games "that don't matter" and that they were all just looking forward to the regular season and opening night. I really think that's just what's going on...they just want to get on with it already. Win or lose on Sunday, I know we'll see our boys come out ready to play on Wednesday night. Even if there are some issues - there is no way they'll be able to play crappy with all the craziness that'll be going on in the stands! :D

[StormShaman]

Concerned, yes. But the only thing that worries me is whether or not I'll have to start smoking again just so they'll have another good season. :eek2:

(so I'm über-superstitious. Sue me, okay?)

[puck_it]

orrrrrrr... here's my other thought... we always pulled out some crazy third period wins. they always started with momentum shifting second periods after terrible firsts.

well,
1st period=pre-season, where we suck ass
2nd period=regular season, where we're changing our ways and getting the job done
3rd period=plxyxffs... USE YOUR IMAGINATION

[Fghtr4jc]

orrrrrrr... here's my other thought... we always pulled out some crazy third period wins. they always started with momentum shifting second periods after terrible firsts.

well,
1st period=pre-season, where we suck ass
2nd period=regular season, where we're changing our ways and getting the job done
3rd period=plxyxffs... USE YOUR IMAGINATION

puck_it just made me feel all happy inside:spin:

[AbNormal27]

puck_it just made me feel all happy inside:spin:

He does that for a lot of people. Something aboUt that guy. ;)

Aaryn

[sticker]

I'm not worried or concerned at all. Preseason in any sport is just a tuneup, basically you try to make it through without an injury. Would it have been nice to play better sure, but these games, IMO, don't mean anything unless someone gets hurt. I mean really does anyone look at standings right now, start talking about matchups for the playoffs, or how this is a "big game", does anyone pay attention to or know who led the preseason in scoring (easy to find out but you get the point). These games don't mean anything. This is the time for Lavi to see who will make the team, what the lines will be, and figure out the kinks that need to be worked out.

And heck if we suck in preseason everyone will say it was a fluke and we won't make the playoffs. Well that turned out pretty well for us last year and I think this year we MAY have a better team.