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Ding ding ding. But I do want to point out that although Ward's save percentage last season (.906) was mediocre, the Canes were 23-14-4 in the games he played. Extrapolate that into the entire season and the Canes would have had 100 points... making the playoffs. Particularly with the improvements that have been made, the Canes don't need a Rinne or Hellebuyck to be competitive. They just need somebody who's better than Darling was last season.
I think there's a real chance that Darling is the one who is better than Darling last season (heck, he couldn't be much worse). When you look at his career, this past year was an anomaly. Mrazek also has potential to do better than he has of late. Both guys IMO are capable of putting up .910+ save percentage (and have before). We were HIGHLY unlikely to get that out of Ward... even though we did win games when he was in the net.
I think there's a real chance that Darling is the one who is better than Darling last season (heck, he couldn't be much worse). When you look at his career, this past year was an anomaly. Mrazek also has potential to do better than he has of late. Both guys IMO are capable of putting up .910+ save percentage (and have before). We were HIGHLY unlikely to get that out of Ward... even though we did win games when he was in the net.
Darling will be better in the NHL by 1/1/2019, or he will get better in the AHL, or on the beach somewhere.
I am pulling for him to show us what he showed in Chicago, for his own good and for the team and fans, but business is business.
If he augurs in again and the Canes ride it out too long, Tom Dundon will have to give seats away by the thousands, and he has already irked some season ticket holders with the deals given.
I was glad to see the N&O report on his workout regime. I hope he pulls it all together.
We were HIGHLY unlikely to get that out of Ward... even though we did win games when he was in the net.
If Ward plays fewer than 25 games for Chicago, there's a reasonable probability he will hit .910. Across his NHL career, his average is .909. He's just no longer able to do that when playing 40+ games.
He joined the Sabres staff. The allure of possibly being the head coach for the next Chris Pronger/Nick Lidstrom type was probably too good to pass up.
He joined the Sabres staff. The allure of possibly being the head coach for the next Chris Pronger/Nick Lidstrom type was probably too good to pass up.
I wonder if he was as much into analytics as the new Canes' regime requires?
If Ward plays fewer than 25 games for Chicago, there's a reasonable probability he will hit .910. Across his NHL career, his average is .909. He's just no longer able to do that when playing 40+ games.
Very true... but I think we were looking to hedge bets with guys who have good previous results and reason to believe they have better hockey in front of them than what has been seen recently. We likely know what we get with Cam (approximately .900-905 save percentage.... possibly better if the other goalie DOES allow him to keep a more limited role).
That said, I'm just looking forward to the season... given that my baseball team is the Baltimore Orioles (they make the Canes look awesome right now).
^^
First thing I thought of too when I saw the name w/o checking the spelling. For a moment there I thought the newest hire would attract some theater-type fans to the games for the opportunity to get a picture with her. Oh well.
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