All Entries in the "Ryan Bayda" Category
Hurricanes Mid Season Grades
The Carolina Hurricanes have completed 41 games and are officially half-way through the regular season. Let’s take a quick look at where they stand and grade the players based upon their individual performances so far.
The team has a record of 21-15-5, good for 47 points and seventh place in the Eastern Conference. While [...]
Tidbits — Dec. 17
Some statistical odds and ends through 31 games:
• Plenty have been critical of Eric Staal this season, but his recent spike in production has his numbers looking pretty solid:
His 13 goals are tied for 21st in the league with, among others, Sidney Crosby. He only has nine assists, for a total of 22 points.
His plus-12 leads [...]
Kaberle Off IR, Conboy Reassigned
Frank Kaberle will be back in the lineup tomorrow. He was activated from injured reserve today. To make room, Carolina assigned defenseman Tim Conboy to Albany (AHL).
Kaberle has battled injuries this season, playing in just seven games with two lengthy stints on the shelf. When he has played, however, he has looked better than the [...]
Like This Year’s Team? Get Used To It
In these times of cost certainty, salary caps and revenue sharing, fans of professional sports have never been so knowledgeable about their favorite teams’ finances. While the NFL and NBA’s budgets are riddled with phantom dollars (NFL) and little “sense” (the NBA’s sought-after expiring contracts), NHL fans can easily wrap their minds around the basics [...]
Quarter Pole Grades: Forwards
Here are some grades, analysis and projections for the everyday players on the Carolina roster after 22 games. Grades will be based on mostly expectations, rather than overall skill level and stats. Projections are based on the player’s current statistics and assume they remain healthy. We’ll look at the forwards today.
Ryan Bayda (22G, 3-4-7, plus-5, [...]
Lightning at Hurricanes - Gameday Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in town and will be squaring off against the Hurricanes with a brand new coach. On Friday, Barry Melrose was relieved of his duties just 16 games into the season and assistant coach, Rich Tocchet was put in charge.
(Melrose has had some interesting quotes since his dismissal, one [...]
Loose Pucks — Nov. 10
More Loose Pucks:
• The Hockey News recently published their annual “Bucks And Pucks” report, which focuses on the financial side of the game. This year’s analysis looks at team finances and the salary cap — mostly how the current economic downturn is affecting the league. We hear enough about the bad economy, but there were [...]
Wallin Lifts Canes over Leafs in OT, 5-4
The Carolina Hurricanes jumped out to a big lead in the first period, but then held on for dear life to force overtime as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the extra period, 5-4. It was another Jekyl and Hyde performance for the team as they looked like world beaters in the [...]
Canes Find a New Way to Win
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Anaheim Ducks by a score of 3-1 last night in Anaheim. The Canes scored first in the contest, the only time they have done that all season.
Eric Staal zipped a pass across the crease to a wide open Ryan Bayda, who made no mistake. The team [...]
Canes Fall to Young Kings, 4-3 OT
The Carolina Hurricanes fought from behind to take a 3-1 lead, but ended up losing to the Los Angeles Kings in over-time late last night, by a score of 4-3.
In what is becoming a trademark for the Canes, they fell behind early as Michal Handzus beat Cam Ward, less than a minute into the [...]
River Rats Preview Up At HF.com; Other Loose Ends
My latest at Hockey’s Future is posted — it’s a season preview of the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate in Albany. It actually should’ve gone up yesterday, but it had to be tweaked a little because of the Matt Murley situation.
In a way, Murley’s departure will probably be good for someone of the Albany guys. Forwards like [...]
Cuts Like a Knife - Roster Set, For Now
My roster prediction from yesterday was pretty much spot on except that Tim Conboy joins Joe Jensen and Trevor Gillies on the bus back to Albany. Twenty five players remain on the roster today, but Justin Williams and Scott Walker will be placed on IR, making the final total twenty three.
Both Paul Branecky [...]
Canes Win Again
Carolina beat Nashville last night by a score of 4-2. I didn’t watch the game or listen to it, so I won’t attempt to give a review. It seems like Anton Babchuk had a good game though, as two of his blasts from the point ended up in the net. The first [...]
Leighton and Canes Hold on to 1-0 Win
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Philadelphia Flyers at the RBC yesterday by a score of 1-0. The victory was the first for the Canes this preseason and gave them an overall record of 1-3, with two more games to play.
Sergei Samsonov was the number one star of the game. Not only did he score [...]
Capitals 5, Hurricanes 2
Something came up and I missed the contest last night, but according to all reports the Canes played a much better game than they did on Wednesday. After the “Junior Canes” jumped out to a 2-0 lead, the Washington regulars woke up and took control of the game. Dan LaCouture had one [...]
Final Thoughts On Preseason Opener
I can say this for sure — no one in the Canes’ locker room was happy with the results tonight. The mood after the game was sullen at best. Here’s some news and thoughts:
• Coach Peter Laviolette was dumbfounded by the play tonight, saying the team “didn’t execute well at all.” Sloppy passing and a [...]
Stat Predictions From The Hockey News: Some Fun, Some Curious
At the very back of the most recent issue of The Hockey News, this edition’s Inside The Numbers stats pack features some statistical predictions for the upcoming season. The staff took five categories and listed the top 35 in each. The categories are: Defenseman Points; Rookie Points; Goals; Goaltender Wins; 2009 UFA Points.
Let’s kick things [...]
The Big Money - Reviewing Day One of “Crazy Daze”
Some NHL players must have felt like they just won the lottery yesterday. Let’s take a quick look around and review some of the deals finalized on day one. Agents are still partying as we speak.
Green signs in Washington for 21M over 4 years. (good deal for both sides)
Stuart signs in Detroit [...]
Patience - Plenty of Work Ahead for Canes
So far this off season, new contract signings have been few and far between for the Carolina Hurricanes. Other than Sergei Samsonov, Trevor Gillies, Michael Leighton, and Patrick Eaves, the rest of the unsigned Canes are still waiting for contracts.
LSB recently reported that negotiations between Jim Rutherford and restricted free agents Tim Gleason [...]
Back For More - The Forwards
This is the final segment of our end of year “Back For More” feature. We have already analyzed the defense and goaltending, next we will take a look at the forward position.
The Carolina Hurricanes are in the enviable position of having 10 or 11 forwards (either signed or RFA status), with top nine skill. [...]
Same As It Ever Was - Hurricanes 2 Panthers 1, SO
The Carolina Hurricanes have pretty much owned the Florida Panthers in recent memory. The Canes have not lost a game to them in Raleigh since 2002. While they did lose a couple to “kitty kats” in Sunrise earlier this year, their overall record is something like 14-4 over the last 18 [...]
“Uh Oh” Corvo Lights up Old Team, Hurricanes 5 Senators 1
Joe Corvo, who was once dubbed “Uh Oh” Corvo by the Ottawa press, enjoyed a bit of retribution last night as he scored his first career hat-trick against his former team and helped the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Ottawa Senators, 5-1.
The game was the first one between the teams since the huge trade in which [...]
Sheer Heart Attack - Hurricanes 4 Sabres 3, OT
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night by a score of 4-3 in a heart stopping, over-time thriller. For the second game in a row the Canes came right out in the 1st period and dominated play, eventually taking a 2-0 lead. You just had to know that Buffalo was not [...]
Already Gone - Hurricanes 6 Thrashers 3
In my pre-game post yesterday, I mentioned how many of the Thrashers probably wanted to take the Marian Hossa and Dany Heatley route and get the heck out of Dodge, Atlanta. But after watching the game on Wednesday night, it appeared that a few of them have already checked out. The Hurricanes once [...]
Give a Little Bit - Hurricanes in the News
The Carolina Hurricanes might have had a couple of days off recently between games, but they have been very busy doing a variety of things on and off the ice during that time frame. I’m going to try to give a little bit of information on several news items and interviews, just in case [...]
Back in the High Life Again - Hurricanes 5 Lightning 1
The Carolina Hurricanes took advantage of a tired and listless Tampa Bay Lightning squad Saturday night and beat them soundly by a score of 5 to 1. Although the Canes gave up the first goal of the game in somewhat typical fashion for them, they came on strong afterwards and didn’t let up [...]
Walk All Over You - Hurricanes 5 Thrashers 3
The Carolina Hurricanes totally dismantled the Atlanta Thrashers last night, 5-3 in a game that was not as close as the score. The Canes came out of the dressingroom fired up from the get-go and took it to the faltering Atlanta club all night long. After watching the Thrashers’ effort last [...]
Young Blood - Hurricanes 3 Bruins 2
When Andrew Ladd was informed about the big trade the other day involving Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman, he replied, “Cory who?” and promptly took Stillman’s spot in Carolina’s top 6 and helped himself to some of the veteran’s previous ice time as well. Young Ladd made the most of his extra opportunities [...]
Third Stone From The Sun
The third period was the charm last night for the Hurricanes as they beat the Lightning 4-3 in an exciting game at the RBC. After falling behind 3-1 and playing one of their worst periods of the year in the second, (3 shots on goal), they came out of the locker room and opened [...]
Fast and Loose
The Hurricanes beat the Thrashers 5-3 last night in a fun game to watch that had almost non-stop action. The offense was fast, the defense was loose, and both teams let it all hang out. The game basically boiled down to goalkeeping, and fortunately for the Hurricanes their Conn Smythe award winner [...]
8 Miles High
The Carolina Hurricanes lit the lamp 8 times last night and took advantage of a rusty New York Islanders team which hadn’t played a game in a week. The Canes scored thrice in each of the first two periods, and then added 2 more in the meaningless third. Captain Rod Brind’Amour earned [...]
A Song for Sleeping
Last night at the RBC, the Montreal Canadiens handed the Carolina Hurricanes their worse loss so far this season, 7-4. Most of the Canes were sleepwalking throughout the 1st period, not really waking up until they were down 5-1. (maybe they skipped their afternoon naps because their dads were in town?) The [...]
So Far So Good
The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vancouver Canucks last night, 3-1 in an entertaining and surprisingly fight filled game at the RBC Center. The win gives the Canes a 5-1-3 record, meaning that they have earned points in 8 of the 9 games they have played so far this year. Cam Ward has still [...]
Against All Odds
For curiosity sake, I usually check the betting odds before each Hurricanes game to see how much of a favorite or underdog the team is. When I checked at lunchtime today, the typical lines were not listed for tonight’s game. Instead, they listed the odds on each player’s chances of being injured! [...]
Kick it Out
Tonight the Vancouver Canucks are in town to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canucks just played in Columbus last night, (and won 4-1), so they will be on the 2nd game of a back to back. Goalie, Curtis Sanford played that game, so look for Roberto Luongo to be in net against [...]
Sooner or Later
While watching the first two periods of the game this afternoon, I was hoping that sooner or later something positive would happen to spark the Canes. The team was skating very tentatively, as if they were afraid to make a mistake. It certainly wasn’t the most exciting 2 periods of hockey. In [...]
Feels Like the First Time
Glen Wesley picked a perfect time to score his first goal of the season. Not only was it his first of the season, it was his first goal in 82 games! Last night while the Canes were on the short side of a 4 on 3 situation in overtime, Wesley bravely joined a [...]
Hey Joe
The Czech Condor has returned to his perch. Today, the Hurricanes traded Eric Belanger to Nashville for the return of Joe Vasicek. This is a surprise move that nobody saw coming. While it had been rumored that the Preds were disappointed with Vasicek and he was being mentioned in some [...]
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Ever notice who usually does the hardest, dirtiest work in a hockey game? It’s usually the guys on the lower end of the payscale. Last night’s Hurricanes game was no exception. Craig Adams dropped the gloves and got the team fired up in the 1st period. Andrew Hutchinson had a goal and an assist and [...]
