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Loading ...For those who listened to NHL Live today to hear Don and EJ goof on me, here is what I wrote from the depths of my server room:
Guys,
If the only way the Hurricanes can make the playoffs is to be third-by-default, then I don’t want them to make the playoffs at all. Period.
2004 and 2006 were supposed to be the new paradigm for the rest of the Southeast Division to live up to. The new “no more Southleast” idea was supposed to be the banner that the Hurricanes would rally around as they marched out of the depths of slack-ass mediocrity.
What we have here now? It wasn’t supposed to happen. Our defense wasn’t supposed to suck, our offense wasn’t supposed to just go poof after October ended, and 2007 was supposed to become a quickly fading memory as the Hurricanes went on another deep playoff run. It was supposed to be better. It was supposed to be a corner-turning, the proverbial dawn of a new day, but instead the Hurricanes are once again stuck at the light with a tank full of fumes and falling toward another 2002-2003 style Season From Hell.
And the killer for me? I see no urgency. I get no “oh crap, we gotta get on it” vibe.
If that’s all that the Hurricanes want to do–rest on old laurels–then I hope they never make the playoffs again.
It hurts me in my heart to say that, but it’s time for some serious toughlove on the part of this fan.
Sorry for writing instead of calling, but I’m stuck in a server room with no phone at the moment.
Cheers,
AQ
For the record: The year the Hurricanes won the Cup, they were second in the East–by ONE point. The third seed (who was third-by-default) was New Jersey with 101 points. The Sabres were third-on-points with 110.
Also: It’s the settling for third-by-default that leads to people bashing the Southeast. Nevermind that the Central is the weakest division in the NHL, with the Red Wings feasting on all their conference rivals (except for Chicago)–people habitually expect the Southeast Division to be the mediocre division, largely because they are mediocre. Or rather, because they tend to play like it. And the fans just settle for it. “Oh, third seed is good enough.”
Screw that. Go hard or go freaking home already. Don’t freaking settle.
I certainly agree with you here AQ. With the way the points are shaping out, and Atlanta and Washington both hot on our heels one to two points behind, if we dont make third by default, then the result is 9th or 10th and no playoffs.
These last two games to me are the epitome of the season for the canes and something needs to change. We win a close 2-1 game against the Caps, where Cam plays stellar in goal, then in a back to back situation they play Ward again (out of fear to play Graham? I’m not sure)and get chased out of the barn. Cam obviously looked tired and slow in that game, of course all four guys stopping at the blue line on several PPs and no one playing defense led to empty net goals, but thats another story. I think the first move is to bring Leighton back up, I hate to dump on John but Mike was 3-1-1 with 2.66 GAA in his 5 games up in the big time. 60% wins beats Cam (57%) and Graham (58%) and the lowest GAA of the three. Yes he makes mistakes and gives up soft goals, but he inspired the team and they played FOR him (winning his first 3 starts in a row if I remember correctly). I think Samsanov has been a good addition and I think more changes need to be made.. especially on D.
Like you, a frustrated but still rabid fan. I wont jump ship, but I wont pretend everything is hunkey dorey either. Heres hoping something changes.
Look at the record, the wings aren’t feasting on their conference rivals. I guess it sounds good to say though….
Oh right, because they’re not doing it right now that means that they never do it.
So sorry, forgot that the Menses Munchers were immune from such things.