Matt Karash: Game #58: Canes take 3 steps in the wrong direction in Buffalo

Going to be tough with 15 of your remaining 24 or so games being on the road Devils are likely going to blow it to because apparently Salvador, Volchenkov and Harrold are better players then Larsson, Gelinas and Merril

I can see why the Cane's played Ward tonight with 24 scouts in the stands. Unfortunately it blew up in their face as they will all want Miller now. I would think of the 24 scouts in attendance they had their eyes on Miller, Moulson and potentially Ott and Erhoff. Wardo did nothing to get his job back or create any interest. Personally I would buy him out, sign Dobby for #1 and Peters to back up. []

By the way Matt, I love your blogs and this one was dynamite right on, thanks.

Matt Karash: Game #58: Canes take 3 steps in the wrong direction in Buffalo
- CarolinaMatt63

Also I am very concerned that this message sent to Khudobin tonight by starting Ward could be devastating for the team. I know the Isles want him real bad and will pay big money to get him as their starter for next year. He had got the attention of every nhl team and any team in need of a starter has an eye on him.

Thanks Buffalo

Oh, & we'll take Ehrhoff from you guys.. He was good last night

I was one of the few remaining holdouts saying to give Ward a chance. After last night I'm over it. Getting a start after a long break against a last place team, you couldn't ask for a better chance to make your case. He didn't. Get Khudobin signed and move on.

I was one of the few remaining holdouts saying to give Ward a chance. After last night I'm over it. Getting a start after a long break against a last place team, you couldn't ask for a better chance to make your case. He didn't. Get Khudobin signed and move on.
- Barbecued Hockey

What happened to Ward, is it just age?

I was one of the few remaining holdouts saying to give Ward a chance. After last night I'm over it. Getting a start after a long break against a last place team, you couldn't ask for a better chance to make your case. He didn't. Get Khudobin signed and move on.
- Barbecued Hockey

Same here. I was in the camp that Khudobin should be treated as the starter for now, but I also figured that if Cam was fully healed, there was a chance he'd be back in his old form. Well, tonight, he lost the game for us. I hate to blame the goalie 99% of the time, but this was a game we SHOULD have won. And he was the difference.

If Khudobin hasn't earned the starter job now, he SHOULD leave. Because he'd be wasting his time to stay with us.

Wow that game was Rutherford's worst nightmare I would think. I would guess it was his call to start Ward, with the intent of showing him off in front of all the scouts watching the game. I am sure he was hoping for Ward to look sharp in an easy game against by far the lowest scoring team in the league. Instead it only served to lose the Canes 2 points and highlight how much better of a goalie Miller is than Ward. Talk about backfire.

I think any hope of getting any more than a bad contract back in exchange for Ward is likely gone, it likely already was gone. Similar to the Luongo situation, if Rutherford cannot trade Ward because of that awful contract, I would guess Khudobin might get traded as he is going to want more $ and a #1 job somewhere. We might be stuck with Ward for a couple more years.

Incredible.

The Canes dominated every statistical category of this game except the one where it counts. any time you put up TWENTY more shots than your opponent you deserve to win.

Once again, the Powerplay is just atrocious. Whoever is in charge of that should probably be fired. Also whoever agreed to take on John-Michael Liles. Because WHY?! Murphy is better.

Incredible.

The Canes dominated every statistical category of this game except the one where it counts. any time you put up TWENTY more shots than your opponent you deserve to win.

Once again, the Powerplay is just atrocious. Whoever is in charge of that should probably be fired. Also whoever agreed to take on John-Michael Liles. Because WHY?! Murphy is better.
- BINGO!

Welcome back. Haven't seen you post for a while.

Same here. I was in the camp that Khudobin should be treated as the starter for now, but I also figured that if Cam was fully healed, there was a chance he'd be back in his old form. Well, tonight, he lost the game for us. I hate to blame the goalie 99% of the time, but this was a game we SHOULD have won. And he was the difference.

If Khudobin hasn't earned the starter job now, he SHOULD leave. Because he'd be wasting his time to stay with us.
- OMEGA919

When I read yesterday morning that Ward was starting over Khudobin I was almost in shock. Nhl player of the month in January, 18 straight starts and only losing when his mates got shutout or outplayed. Dobby earned the right to be start this game and yet management makes a decision like this. I think Dobby will not resign here on the basis of last night's JR/KM bonehead decision. It is just like Marty St. Louis being snubbed by his own GM, that hurts a players pride and head games should not be played with your best players. The only way this gets resolved quickly is if Dobby is given a three year deal to be the starter otherwise he walks and starts for somebody else.

How's this for an interesting trade scenario, and potentially why Ward started last night.

Ward+ for Miller

It's been widely rumored that the Sabres want an NHL goalie in return for Miller. In this deal, they get a starter who's locked up for 2 more years and is a high quality perfomer (if he can regain his form). Based on recent play, the Canes would probably have to sweeten with extra players or draft picks.

In return, the Canes get Miller for the rest of the season with 2 options. Either they resign him after the season, or they resign Khudobin and let Miller walk -- which would essentially get out from under the Ward contract without actually buying him out.

How's this for an interesting trade scenario, and potentially why Ward started last night.

Ward+ for Miller

It's been widely rumored that the Sabres want an NHL goalie in return for Miller. In this deal, they get a starter who's locked up for 2 more years and is a high quality perfomer (if he can regain his form). Based on recent play, the Canes would probably have to sweeten with extra players or draft picks.

In return, the Canes get Miller for the rest of the season with 2 options. Either they resign him after the season, or they resign Khudobin and let Miller walk -- which would essentially get out from under the Ward contract without actually buying him out.
- wsbeauchamp

The only thing about this is Miller wants a chance at a cup. Great way to dump Ward but this is not going to happen. Khudobin to Buffalo for Miller is more likely than your scenario, but having Miller to come to Carolina is highly unlikely.

Incredible.

The Canes dominated every statistical category of this game except the one where it counts. any time you put up TWENTY more shots than your opponent you deserve to win.

Once again, the Powerplay is just atrocious. Whoever is in charge of that should probably be fired. Also whoever agreed to take on John-Michael Liles. Because WHY?! Murphy is better.
- BINGO!

Bingo! ---------------- Bingo

Bingo! ---------------- Bingo
- flyerdude17

Can't agree more! Who ever decided to start Ward should be fired! Guess i don't need to worry about affording playoff tiks...and next years season tiks EITHER!

Welcome back. Haven't seen you post for a while.
- Barbecued Hockey

Thanks. It's been quite some time.