I have not been impressed with him at all after the first week he got back... He is very similar to the player that left here but with more defensive ability... It makes me nervous that he didn't improve any during his prime and it looks like we are set to give him 3+ mil a year for 3-4 years... I know his speed helps out Staal, but I really believe we can find a free agent that will help Staal even more... I would love to make a push for Martin Havlat before signing Cole...
Part II
I really think he should be moved off the Staal line for game six... Move Whitney or someone who can put shots on the net and created more chances for Staal to pick up a goal in traffic in front of the net... I just don't see a thing from Cole right now and it's do or die...
I know some of that might not be popular, but I was just sharing my opinion.
Cole was moved off the Staal line last night, wasn't he? Cullen played with Ruutu-Cole and Staal played with Whitney-LaRose.
But I agree. Cole still tries the same exact move on every shift. The only time it actually works is when we're playing against some garbage, injury-riddled team that is dressing minor league defensemen like Tampa Bay or NYI. What is it now, 0 goals in 17 games? 0 points in the playoffs?
Cole is not a first line winger and he sure as hell shouldn't be on the powerplay. 2 PP points in 22 games while getting top unit PP time = awful. Does the coaching staff seriously believe that someone like Jokinen couldn't do better than that?
That's my big issue with re-signing Cole: paying him big money insures that he will continue to get first line, top unit PP time despite his talent level suggesting he shouldn't. It keeps us from getting a real[ first line winger like Havlat or whoever.
The "Staal is more productive with Cole" line ignores that Staal did the exact same thing last season, which was disappear (in terms relative to Staal's capability) for the first 2/3rds of the season only to magically turn it on in for the final stretch.
Let's look at Staal's stats prior to the Brind'amour injury last season and compare it to this season prior to the Cole acquisition.
Staal's first 59 games in 07-08: 27 goals, 47 points
Staal's first 65 games in 06-07: 28 goals, 50 points
Is it possible that Staal is simply is an end-of-the-year player and that Cole just happened to come here at the right time?
Last edited by Amaxing Joni Jokel: 04-24-2009 at 12:37 PM.
Samsonov at least has the excuse of playing with two offensive black holes in Brind'amour-Eaves. Cole is clearly playing with two players that are better than him and can't do anything but constantly turn the puck over.
Cole's end of season and playoff "performance" has moved him to the back of my signing priority list with Seidenberg. Babchuk gets a pass because he's still only 24 and is a playoff rookie. Other than him, the only two players I want back at reasonable prices are Ruutu and Jokinen. LaRose is someone I feel should walk to make room for one of Boychuk/Bowman.
Count me in with the group who hasn't been overly impressed with Cole.
Any way you slice it, if you're getting paid 4 million per season and will likely get between 3-4 on this new deal (Which I would think will happen, no question) you need to produce, especially for a franchise like this who doesn't throw money at the wind. We can't afford to have a 3-4 million dollar forward playing on the top line with our top players and not produce as expected.
I love Erik Cole, but in the 22 games he has played since his return (Playoffs included) he has 2 goals. One of those goals was in his first game back. Aside from that first game, that's 1 goal in his last 21 games.
But it's ok, because he has a decent collection of assists which make his points per game look better. Not including the post season, he collected 15 points in his 17games since returning to Carolina. I understand that some players don't necessarily have to score goals to be effective, but truth be told I expected a bit more in the goals column much like I think many did. And for this franchise, being paid that money = You need to produce.
Samsonov at least has the excuse of playing with two offensive black holes in Brind'amour-Eaves. Cole is clearly playing with two players that are better than him and can't do anything but constantly turn the puck over.
Cole's end of season and playoff "performance" has moved him to the back of my signing priority list with Seidenberg. Babchuk gets a pass because he's still only 24 and is a playoff rookie. Other than him, the only two players I want back at reasonable prices are Ruutu and Jokinen. LaRose is someone I feel should walk to make room for one of Boychuk/Bowman.
I don't think he should walk... He is one of 4 players on the team that has really showed up... He created most of our scoring chances last night and I don't think he will be that expensive... I think there will be some trades to open up slots... To me our signing order should be
I loved Cole when he first splashed on the scene and my red jersey is even a Cole jersey, but he has become a one trick diving pony and he isn't even getting the penalty calls anymore when he drops his left shoulder and goes around the defender... He puts himself into scoring position more than most any player and finishes less than most players... It's increasingly frustrating... The more you look at Cole's career, you notice something... He shows up huge about 10 games a year and scores half his goals in those 10 games and he completely non-existent in the other 72
Count me in with the group who hasn't been overly impressed with Cole.
Any way you slice it, if you're getting paid 4 million per season and will likely get between 3-4 on this new deal (Which I would think will happen, no question) you need to produce, especially for a franchise like this who doesn't throw money at the wind. We can't afford to have a 3-4 million dollar forward playing on the top line with our top players and not produce as expected.
I love Erik Cole, but in the 22 games he has played since his return (Playoffs included) he has 2 goals. One of those goals was in his first game back. Aside from that first game, that's 1 goal in his last 21 games.
But it's ok, because he has a decent collection of assists which make his points per game look better. Not including the post season, he collected 15 points in his 17games since returning to Carolina. I understand that some players don't necessarily have to score goals to be effective, but truth be told I expected a bit more in the goals column much like I think many did. And for this franchise, being paid that money = You need to produce.
I think half points came in two games didn't they... Like 4 assists in two different games
If Cole continues his craptastic performance I will have no problem if we let him walk in the offseason. He has just been plain terrible this series and frankly doesn't look like the Cole we are used to. Yes, he played well with Staal for a stretch of several games but what's the point if you can't do it in crunch time too?
If I see him do another toe trag right into a defender or a rush down his off wing only to cough the puck up I might throw up.
record since cole was reacquired 12-3-2----it has always been cole's intangibles speed and chemistry w/ the other guys that makes him more valuable to our organization than any other team--with ruutu and walker healthy and cole in our lineup we have enough grit to stand up to anybody that tries to dish out crap--i would like to see a real physical stay at home d-man to go along w/ gleason on our blue line next year--one real mean tough S-O-B
record since cole was reacquired 12-3-2----it has always been cole's intangibles speed and chemistry w/ the other guys that makes him more valuable to our organization than any other team--with ruutu and walker healthy and cole in our lineup we have enough grit to stand up to anybody that tries to dish out crap--i would like to see a real physical stay at home d-man to go along w/ gleason on our blue line next year--one real mean tough S-O-B
Nope, Cole's energy lasted a week... You don't pay $3.5 mil for a one trick pony
record since cole was reacquired 12-3-2----it has always been cole's intangibles speed and chemistry w/ the other guys that makes him more valuable to our organization than any other team--with ruutu and walker healthy and cole in our lineup we have enough grit to stand up to anybody that tries to dish out crap--i would like to see a real physical stay at home d-man to go along w/ gleason on our blue line next year--one real mean tough S-O-B
What do you guys think is going to happen to Erik Cole will he resign with the Hurricanes before July 1st or will Erik Cole hit the open market what if he strugles tonight in game seven and does not get any points tonight then what do you guys think happens?
If Jim Rutherford is not happy with Erik Cole and does not decide to resign him could you guys see Jim Rutherford trading Erik Cole rights at the draft or before July 1st?
What do you guys think is going to happen to Erik Cole will he resign with the Hurricanes before July 1st or will Erik Cole hit the open market what if he strugles tonight in game seven and does not get any points tonight then what do you guys think happens?
If Jim Rutherford is not happy with Erik Cole and does not decide to resign him could you guys see Jim Rutherford trading Erik Cole rights at the draft or before July 1st?
Do you think Erik Cole would ever be traded for Joe Corvo?
Do you think Erik Cole would ever be traded for Joe Corvo?
Maurice will put Leighton in net for Game 7, he will record 13 consecutive shutouts, leading Carolina to the Stanley Cup, I am rite and you are wrong, you know nothing about hockey.
