It's six games in now, and Mike Cammalleri has yet to light the lamp. It's got a lot of people very worried, and in the post game interview tonight he stated that if he could have converted on a couple of his chances this season we might be 4-2 instead of 2-4. While this is true we can't expect a 30-40 goal scorer to score every game. Players not named Alexander Ovechkin do go through extended scoring slumps. Luckily for us we can look at Cammalleri's recent career history, and find out that he experienced some slumps last year in the west as well. Mike didn't score in 6 straight games from November 1st to 9th, another 6 straight from March 6th to 18th, and and in 8 straight games from March 25th to April 7th. When you look at that it doesn't look very good for Mike, but he still scored 39 goals, which means he scores in bunches. Upon further inspection, he scored his 39 goals in 29 games. If Cammalleri doesn't score for another six games, I'll be the first to be annoyed, but let's cut him a little bit of slack for the time being, as it's not for lack of effort. Unlike our last expected offensive leader (Alex Kovalev) Cammalleri doesn't float around the ice and play well for 2 minutes of ice time every 20. He works hard everywhere he goes and creates chances for his linemates. It's because of this that I don't feel that stressed out that he hasn't lit the lamp.
Another reason to not be that worried is the re-emergence of some secondary scoring. We haven't exactly taken over a game yet, but we have got a second line pair that seems to be getting better every game in Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn. It took a few games for Tomas' solid play to rub off on Andrei, but tonight it finally seemed to click, and we're in for an improvement there. So far the lines haven't managed to click on the same night, but that will come with time. Other positives to come out of this game include Pacioretty looking a bit better, as well as getting his first point of the season, and Shawn Belle looking very much like he belongs in the NHL. He made a couple mistakes during the game, but that's to be expected in his first game up. He plays a safe, simple game and he has great speed which he showed a couple times when Colorado forwards got behind him, and he promptly caught them. Kyle Chipchura is also looking better every game, and I can't wait until Metropolit is back so Chips can shift to the wing and bump out Laraque. One thing that worries me so far this season is the play of D'agostini, who won't remain with the organization much longer if he can't find a way to contribute. He's been looking lost in every game he's played but the first against Toronto, and Jacques doesn't seem to have much faith in him. Hopefully my seething optimism isn't too annoying.
GO HABS GO!
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteThree things need to happen this year for us to be successful. Collectively, the defense has to hold it's own until Markov gets back. They can't replace him but somehow they must minimize his loss. Secondly, the big line has to play like they are worth 18.3M Being good won't cut it, they must excel. Lastly, someone has to emerge as a 6th forward. I'm sure that was Gainey's plan (and hope) and I seriously doubt there will be any trade for an outsider so one of the guys who are here now needs to step up.
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I agree to an extent Steve, except for attaching a dollar figure to the top line. I'd be happy if Gomez plays like a 5 million dollar man, because he isn't Jarome Iginla or someone similar. I think attaching that 18.3M price tag to the line just saddles extra unattainable pressure on the team. As long as we win by committee and those three finish the season near a point per game I'm more than satisfied.
ReplyDeleteAs for the top 6 forward, I have to believe Gainey is either waiting the appropriate time to call up Sergei Kostitsyn, or package him in a trade for one. There's no way we can keep Pacioretty up all year.
Andrew - I think you have to include the coin seeing that was a major part of the trade. Same goes for Gionta who we probably overpaid by about a 1M. Cammalleri would have brought 6M at market value (Toronto) so I'm fine with that. Of course, all these guys come with major terms of five years so that's a consideration, as well. They basically define the team for the next few years on the basis of their cap space as well as their talent. Both these factors impact on the team in a huge way. I truly hope these guys do get a point a game by the end of the year. If so, the beers are on me! As for Sergei, looks like he's really going to be toast in Montreal. Another good kid out the wondow with no return or asset coming the other way.(keeping in mind that he has burned a lot of bridges in a very short period of time). How sad for everyone involved. He had a job here in Montreal for the taking.
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That's very true. The term for Gomez and Gionta is the thing I'm most worried about, but hopefully they can prove my reluctance wrong.
ReplyDeleteConcerning Sergei, it's very sad. Apparently now his little anger tif is over and he's back with the Bulldogs, but it's very clear this kid is not stable right now. He needs much better advice from his agent, and I for one am very glad that Guy Boucher has a degree in sports psychology, because he's REALLY going to need it with this kid.