Game Thread ..... vs. New Jersey, 3/31/12

[Greensboro Hurricanes]

I didn't put together the highlights until tonight so I didn't see the laughing on the bench until now.

Scratch him tomorrow. It has to be done.

[CC]

poor little skinner.

[Shell]

Originally Posted by StormChaserBH

Hey anyone with an extra team poster from this game? Asking around, 'cause I entered the contest to be one of the fans in the background and my name got picked, so my wife and son are in the pic, but we couldn't make it to this game Saturday... thought there may be extras layin' around yesterday at the alumni game, but no such luck...

yes, I have an extra. Will be tailgating/playing street hockey if weather allows on Thursday. I think you know where we play? I'm HORRIBLE with names and faces, but I think you and your boy tailgated with us before, yes? are you going Thursday? Otherwise, I work in RTP and live in East Raleigh if you want to pick it up sometime.

[superdave]

Skinner is "our guy" and we are talking this way about him. Imagine what the rest of the league is saying.

Dude has to put on his big boy pants.

[nccanes]

Originally Posted by superdave

Skinner is "our guy" and we are talking this way about him. Imagine what the rest of the league is saying.

That was my thoughts in reading this thread yesterday.

Of course, since we've been irrelevant since November, maybe less people have noticed.

[KaniacFever]

Originally Posted by superdave

Skinner is "our guy" and we are talking this way about him. Imagine what the rest of the league is saying.

Dude has to put on his big boy pants.

He's known as the next Crosby whiner around other fanbases. Instead of talking about his play, they now pick out areas where he's throwing his tantrums and laughing about it. If other fanbases are going to compare him to Crosby, I'd rather they be talking about his play not want tantrum he threw in that game.

I get he's 19 and he's going to do things that he my regret after the game etc. And like I said earlier, I would cut him some slack if this was rare or only happened every now and then, but he's been throwing his little tantrums every game now and its getting old. The refs are on to him and its probably why they aren't protecting him as much as they were earlier in the season.

He's starting to get a little reputation around the league and not in a good way. Other teams know that if you rattle him he'll go berzerk. Its likely why they go right for him, to get under his skin, and watch him throw his tantrums. If he can learn to channel that and put that anger towards his play and make other teams pay on the scoreboard, they'll leave him alone.

The coaches/org/whoever needs to get that boy in check sooner than later.

[superdave]

Originally Posted by KaniacFever

He's starting to get a little reputation around the league and not in a good way. Other teams know that if you rattle him he'll go berzerk. Its likely why they go right for him, to get under his skin, and watch him throw his tantrums. If he can learn to channel that and put that anger towards his play and make other teams pay on the scoreboard, they'll leave him alone.

Just like the Devils did and it paid off to the tune of 2 goals and then the team quit. The refs are hip to it and are going to be on it like stink on you know what.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Originally Posted by KaniacFever

Its likely why they go right for him,

No, they were going for him well before this ever started.

They were going for him because he was the Calder-trophy winner, 30-goal scoring rookie, league-golden boy, Bieber-esque star at the ASG last year. He's getting it bad because of how good he is. Is he prolonging the hazing by responding? I'd say so. But let's not sell the kid short.


IMO, this is a symptom of what happens to every rising star their second year. The second year is much tougher for everyone and if other players have a reason to gun for you because you're nowhere near under the radar, it's all the more difficult.

He's not handling it with the grace I would have expected from the kid that I saw last year. He's also not handling it the worst of anyone I've ever seen. I have every confidence he'll get a handle on it. Some folks are going a bit far on the kid, IMO. But then WTF else do we have to talk about.

[SoCalcaniac]

When "Mike in Cary" called in and told us all it's "a man's game" I thought oh great it's back to Mo telling us something we didn't already know. Anyway.....

Everyone has already made some outstanding points, although I'll disagree about him getting too big for his britches.

I also kinda don't care about what other fan bases say about our player, but in the same breath I have thought what do other players/teams think. I could go thru the 29 other teams (and have) and pick thru each line up (& have ) I frequently avoid watching certain teams specifically because I am not down with some guy on a team so much so that it compromises my viewing experience. (Dallas for example as Mike Ribero and Steve Ott are hard for me to personally digest) Might be lame yeah, but that's fan stuff, thus my need not to care what other fans think of our player. It's what we do as fans.

What is interesting in my completely outsider observation, about Skinner, is this two different guys thing. We were at Backyard Bistro for Canes Corner, and to sit and listen to him, he's no different than the kid that we saw last year, humble, courteous and grateful. When told by caniac369 that the little jersey he was signing was for her 4 yr old, he asked "oh whats her name?" and personalized the jersey to her little girl. All this to say- he's so completely transformed when he's on the ice, and I know this is the same for most players, but it's really pronounced with Skinner.

It's my hope that when they do the exit interviews/discussions with each player next Monday or whenever, that Coach Kirk and JR will have that conversation with him. I do believe Coach has a good way about speaking with these players, I think he'd give him words to think about in the long off season, that are part ex-smaller player and part tough love. I'd even think it might be an opportunity for #12 to speak with him, empathize with him. They're very different players, however, I think 12 knows a little of what Skinner is going thru.

Skinner's not perfect, nobody is, but I think he can be rescued from his temper/himself and isn't some demon child.

He's had a blip in the road, where last year was "easy" and this year, he had the Target bulls eye on his forehead from the get go. He's still a kid I'd take any day of the week on my team, he's not stupid, he'll fix this.

[superdave]

Originally Posted by SouthernHockeyChick

No, they were going for him well before this ever started.

They were, but his responses have not helped.

Originally Posted by SoCalcaniac

Everyone has already made some outstanding points, although I'll disagree about him getting too big for his britches.

I also kinda don't care about what other fan bases say about our player, but in the same breath I have thought what do other players/teams think.

Skinner's not perfect, nobody is, but I think he can be rescued from his temper/himself and isn't some demon child.

He's had a blip in the road, where last year was "easy" and this year, he had the Target bulls eye on his forehead from the get go. He's still a kid I'd take any day of the week on my team, he's not stupid, he'll fix this.

I think he has gotten a little too big for his britches and it has shown on the ice. That also doesn't make him a demon child. I think it's pretty normal. Stamkos got bratty his second year, and he seems to have worked through that. As far as what other fan bases think, it is important when you are trying to market your sport (just an opinion).

Skinner certainly can turn this around. I would have liked to have seen the coach send a message on Saturday night, but maybe that would even amp up what the opposing teams would do to try to get Skinner off his game. The season is about over, so there will be time to regroup. I actually like that Skinner is "chippy" but he needs to keep it on simmer and not boil.

[SoCalcaniac]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

As far as what other fan bases think, it is important when you are trying to market your sport (just an opinion).

Fair enough -- although, if we're trying to market the sport to the casual/faux fan Abercrombie types wearing NHL jerseys that the League is cramming down our throats in the horrific "Because it's the Cup" playoff ads, then yes, maybe it does matter. Because I don't like a player on the Stars or the bulk of the players who play for Vancouver, doesn't mean I wouldn't be watching either team play NYR in the SC Finals.

There's a distinction on what type of fan that's being marketed to IMO. I'd counter, if Skinner were to continue on this hissy fit path, fans who know the game, would be watching from a curiosity standpoint to see if he flips the hell out in a given game especially if there were a history with the opponent (i..e they got under his skin- he drew a penalty they hated, etc.etc. )

[superdave]

Originally Posted by SoCalcaniac

There's a distinction on what type of fan that's being marketed to IMO. I'd counter, if Skinner were to continue on this hissy fit path, fans who know the game, would be watching from a curiosity standpoint to see if he flips the hell out in a given game especially if there were a history with the opponent (i..e they got under his skin- he drew a penalty they hated, etc.etc. )

Like how we love Sean Avery...


disclaimer: I'm not comparing Skinner to Avery.

[caniac97]

I think some of you guys miss the fact he is 19! With the exception of CC most of us at 19 were not acting much better, especially me! We need to cut the boy some slack and see how he returns for training camp this fall, then if acts the same then you can get the torches and pitchforks so be it.

[superdave]

Originally Posted by caniac97

I think some of you guys miss the fact he is 19! With the exception of CC most of us at 19 were not acting much better, especially me! We need to cut the boy some slack and see how he returns for training camp this fall, then if acts the same then you can get the torches and pitchforks so be it.

I did say it was pretty normal. What I did at 19 was pretty normal too, for a 19 year old. If I had continued to behave that way, I would be worm food right now. I was also not a beloved, millionaire, teen heart throb, professional athlete. He needs a little more mentoring and he'll be fine.

[caniac97]

Originally Posted by superdave

I did say it was pretty normal. What I did at 19 was pretty normal too, for a 19 year old. If I had continued to behave that way, I would be worm food right now. I was also not a beloved, millionaire, teen heart throb, professional athlete. He needs a little more mentoring and he'll be fine.

That is what I think, once he has had his "exit" interview in a week or so I am sure that will be covered. It will be watched when training camp starts.

[DJHARLEY]

IMO-- he really hasn't been the Same "KID/Guy" since he came back from his concussion! Not sure if that still is having some effect on his mentality as to how he is treated or how he really feels on the ice. Yes he is making some very bad decisions, but with his competion level on the ice,it looks like it's a lot more in his head ( he is being targetted/overlooked) with things that are going on on the ice. Looks like he thinks that if they can get away with that, then he can too. Not saying its right but just wonder if that is how he feels! I'm sure he will learn from his bad decisions and move forwards.

One thing i will say is that when he gets p-o'd he sure can hit for a small guy!!

[Deke]

Originally Posted by KaniacFever

He's starting to get a little reputation around the league and not in a good way. Other teams know that if you rattle him he'll go berzerk. Its likely why they go right for him, to get under his skin, and watch him throw his tantrums. If he can learn to channel that and put that anger towards his play and make other teams pay on the scoreboard, they'll leave him alone.

The coaches/org/whoever needs to get that boy in check sooner than later.

QFT. What bothers me is that he's been pulling this "nonsense" (as Forslund called it) most of the season and he seems to be getting worse about it rather that toning it down.

[CC]

Originally Posted by caniac97

I think some of you guys miss the fact he is 19! With the exception of CC most of us at 19 were not acting much better, especially me! .

CC never said he acted better. Only that he got his attitude adjusted quickly and definitively. He still had one but was only allowed to express it in private. Too mch Mamby Pamby throughout this world. IMO

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'm just curious because it just occurred to me....would anyone care to comment on the 4 minutes for general nastiness that Tim Gleason got Friday night?

Does he get a total pass just because Staal scored short-handed? The guy sitting in the box no longer has control of what happens on the ice.

Sure, it's not (as much of) a pattern for Gleason but, talk about someone who should know better.

I'm still just feeling like this is much ado about something that really isn't all that much of anything, yet.

[c-girl]

Thank you, SHC. I've been thinking for a while that Skinner is getting a load of crap from the fandom for things that other players do from time to time - players who are older, more experienced and definitely should know better. There are many players on our team - and on other teams, too - with the potential to go whacko at times. Personally, I'm with SoCal - I'll take our kid even through all this and I'm confident he'll work through it.