Matt Karash: Story lines beneath the results: Transformation in process?

Let's hope Skinner continues to understand that the role he played last night is what this team needs. Skinner last night was a beast. Based on tweets by Chip looks like Ruutu is close to coming back. Some difficult decisions looming for the coach when that happens when the chemistry seems to be so good with the lines as they are.

I thought Khudobin was solid and looks like his team mates really like him. R. Murphy was a star despite not handling the puck the way he usually does. He seemed to be fighting it at times but also showed that he is going to be great one day. Skinner was the best guy on the ice, stay healthy Jeff.

I think in the short term you bring Ruutu back and put him on the "fourth line" with Lindholm and Sutter/Bowman/Westy. If chemistry clicks, Canes have an opportunity to roll four legit lines. Somethign they haven't been able to do since the Cup season.

It's early, but there's a lot to be excited about with the makeup of this roster right now. I think the simple culture/role player changes (Gerbe, Bellemore, Khudobin etc) are already being huge dividends.

Let's hope Skinner continues to understand that the role he played last night is what this team needs. Skinner last night was a beast. Based on tweets by Chip looks like Ruutu is close to coming back. Some difficult decisions looming for the coach when that happens when the chemistry seems to be so good with the lines as they are.
- oddmanrush

Not sure what to do with Ruutu. He is a good player and his skating, forechecking are a great addition. And ultimately, he could be an upgrade scoring-wise at RW to either the 2nd or 3rd line. But both of those lines are clicking right now, so I would not mess with either until they slow down a bit. It seems odd to slot Ruutu on the 4th line but maybe that is fine for a game or 2 until he gets back up to speed. And if you had something like Ruutu/Sutter/Lindholm you would be real deep and able to roll 4 lines. Also if Tlusty/EStaal/Semin continue to look so-so maybe you slot him in Tlusty's spot short-term to see if he can help jump start the scoring there.

My original lines before training camp were:
Tlusty/EStaal/Semin
Gerbe (if Rask or McGinn didn't surprise)/JStaal/Ruutu
Skinner/Lindholm/Dwyer (unless Dalpe won it)
Bowman/Nash/Dvorak + Westgarth #13

I still think that is about right with 3 changes:

1) I am not sure if/where/how/when Lindholm fits in. Getting him some ice time slowly in a limited role and seeing where it goes makes sense, but at some point if he is only playing 7-8 minutes per night on a 4th line he might be better served improving and building confidence in Charlotte.

2) I think Ruutu might ultimately fit best in Dvorak's role. Ruutu would add some size and bang to that 3rd line with the key thing being that he would not be the big, slow version that leaves Skinner/Nash playing 2v__ off the rush. 1 key to Dvorak's game is that he can still keep up with the kids who skate pretty well such that they get advantages and space entering the zone as 3. But again, as long as that line is playing like Sunday and Dvorak is scoring goals, I wouldn't mess with it short-term.

3) Depending on what happens with Lindholm, there start to be numbers issues. I think it is possible that Sutter falls to the press box if the Canes have all the forwards healthy, but if he keeps playing well it would be in and out of the NHL lineup and not a return to Charlotte where he could get stolen off waivers.

Shorter version: When you are getting a player of Ruutu's caliber back soon and are not sure where to put him, that is a good problem to have.

I thought Khudobin was solid and looks like his team mates really like him. R. Murphy was a star despite not handling the puck the way he usually does. He seemed to be fighting it at times but also showed that he is going to be great one day. Skinner was the best guy on the ice, stay healthy Jeff.
- flyerdude17

Thanks for stopping by. I am quickly learning to hate the Flyers as a Metro foe and per this summer's fire storm blog am on record as wondering how Holmgren still has a job, but I have a lot of respect for the passionate Flyer fan base. We are not there yet, but we are on the path.

Team win! It felt like to me that the Canes outplayed philly badly, and ought to have scored a few more goals...but with the intensity and defensive pressure i was very satisfied! Real good effort/ game! I expect to see more of the same in Pitt., where the Canes have a realistic chance to win! Pitt. is strong on offense, but they have an achilles heel with their defense/ goalie inconsistencies! Our strong skating could expose those deficiencies!

I think in the short term you bring Ruutu back and put him on the "fourth line" with Lindholm and Sutter/Bowman/Westy. If chemistry clicks, Canes have an opportunity to roll four legit lines. Somethign they haven't been able to do since the Cup season.

It's early, but there's a lot to be excited about with the makeup of this roster right now. I think the simple culture/role player changes (Gerbe, Bellemore, Khudobin etc) are already being huge dividends.
- Gossler1

This is one possible move, for Ruutu, but i'm wondering if Semin's hand/ wrist injury isn't affecting his puck-handling/ shooting, and maybe he should sit out a game or two and have Ruutu temporarily take his spot?!!

Michael Smith published an article about depth this afternoon and it has this quote from the coach concerning Ruutu,

“You really don’t want to mix up chemistry. Nash’s line, so far, seems to have good chemistry and is playing well and producing. They’ve been pretty strong, and Jordan’s line has had great chemistry,” Muller said. “Guys that have missed time, it’s tough to get in and eat a lot of minutes, so if he does get in, maybe he starts on the fourth line and builds himself up.”

no they looked sluggish for most of the red wings games.
they will continue to struggle against superior teams.

no they looked sluggish for most of the red wings games.
they will continue to struggle against superior teams.
- wingz4life

Your analysis is uninformed and not in concert with the majority pundits, be it on this site, NHL Live, or TSN! Detroit was very lucky to beat the Canes, and certainly didn't outplay them! I think you're either being sarcastic or you have homer blinders on!

Your analysis is uninformed and not in concert with the majority pundits, be it on this site, NHL Live, or TSN! Detroit was very lucky to beat the Canes, and certainly didn't outplay them! I think you're either being sarcastic or you have homer blinders on!
- randycane

That guy goes to evey blog and cheap shots whenever he can. He gives Red Wing fans a bad name, unfairly.

Thanks for stopping by. I am quickly learning to hate the Flyers as a Metro foe and per this summer's fire storm blog am on record as wondering how Holmgren still has a job, but I have a lot of respect for the passionate Flyer fan base. We are not there yet, but we are on the path.
- CarolinaMatt63

No problem Matt, I recently acquired Ryan Murphy in a keeper league. (I traded Teuvo Teravainen for Murphy and a fa pick next year) I need more help on D and I think Murphy could be the next Dan Boyle type of high scoring dman down the road.
I also picked up Gerbe as a fa and despite him not being a counter for me I enjoy watching the little guy with the big heart.

No problem Matt, I recently acquired Ryan Murphy in a keeper league. (I traded Teuvo Teravainen for Murphy and a fa pick next year) I need more help on D and I think Murphy could be the next Dan Boyle type of high scoring dman down the road.
I also picked up Gerbe as a fa and despite him not being a counter for me I enjoy watching the little guy with the big heart.
- flyerdude17

Murphy obviously has a ways to go to get there, but I think Boyle is a good comparison. I always think Brian Campbell simply because of the purely effortless skating ability, but Murphy's offensive tool set is a bit more than Campbell's.

Michael Smith published an article about depth this afternoon and it has this quote from the coach concerning Ruutu,

“You really don’t want to mix up chemistry. Nash’s line, so far, seems to have good chemistry and is playing well and producing. They’ve been pretty strong, and Jordan’s line has had great chemistry,” Muller said. “Guys that have missed time, it’s tough to get in and eat a lot of minutes, so if he does get in, maybe he starts on the fourth line and builds himself up.”
- oddmanrush

Thanks for the heads up. Had not seen that yet. It makes sense not to mess with things that are working. There will be room somewhere in the top 9 for Ruutu soon enough, and giving him a little time to get up to game speed is not a bad thing.

I think in the short term you bring Ruutu back and put him on the "fourth line" with Lindholm and Sutter/Bowman/Westy. If chemistry clicks, Canes have an opportunity to roll four legit lines. Somethign they haven't been able to do since the Cup season.

It's early, but there's a lot to be excited about with the makeup of this roster right now. I think the simple culture/role player changes (Gerbe, Bellemore, Khudobin etc) are already being huge dividends.
- Gossler1

Imo for balance
1.Tlusty/Staal/Semin
2.Ruutu/Staal/Gerbe
3.Skinner/Nash/Dvorak
4.Dwyer/Lindholm/Bowman

Getting away with 2 175lb forwards on 1 line will bite you eventually ,and hate to see Sutter go back to Charlotte but that's a good problem... As for Gleason well Murphy's play is gonna put Bellemore in the Press box it looks like.

Imo for balance
1.Tlusty/Staal/Semin
2.Ruutu/Staal/Gerbe
3.Skinner/Nash/Dvorak
4.Dwyer/Lindholm/Bowman

Getting away with 2 175lb forwards on 1 line will bite you eventually ,and hate to see Sutter go back to Charlotte but that's a good problem... As for Gleason well Murphy's play is gonna put Bellemore in the Press box it looks like.
- elaeskimos

Sorry, but i can't agree! Gerbe, Dwyer, and Jordan have been very solid, and if it ain't broken...DON'T FIX IT!
The way Bellmore is playing i'd leave Gleason in the press box!