Carolina Hurricanes
ADDITIONS: John Grahame; Trevor Letowski; Scott Walker; Shane Willis; Pat Dwyer
SUBTRACTIONS: Martin Gerber; Matt Cullen; Aaron Ward; Doug Weight; Josef Vasicek; Mark Recchi
Analysis
Well, first off let’s get the easy prediction out of the way first: Carolina will not do as well next year. However, they will have a very strong team for years to come.
A number of the changes will not be really felt: Doug Weight and Mark Recchi were only with the team for the end of the year, while players like Grahame and Dwyer are fringe players at best.
On the subject of John Grahame, what exactly were the Hurricanes thinking? Grahame couldn’t get in done in Tampa Bay and won’t be a suitable replacement for Gerber. With all the goaltenders available this offseason - notably Manny Legace but also the very available Nabokov or Giguerre - you’d think Carolina could have done better. The end result is that more pressure will be heaped onto Cam Ward.
Now, Cam Ward handled the pressure very well during the playoffs last year, but throughout an 80 game season is another story. And as I’ve mentioned regarding several teams already, a successful rookie season does not equate to a successful long term career - especially not for a goaltender.
Matt Cullen and Aaron Ward were important role players for the team last year and emerging youngsters will be needed to fill the void they left. Vasicek will be missed but certainly wasn’t a central piece of the puzzle.
The returning pieces from last year’s team are far more reassuring. Brind’amour was the unidsputed captain last year of a team that included Eric Staal, Doug Weight, Mark Recchi, Glen Wesley, and more. Locking him up long term was smart and will provide stability for the franchise for years to come. Eric Staal will only be better next year and will likely be leaned on even more. Eric Cole, before his injury, had 30 goals and 29 assists in 60 games. If he can repeat that kind of performance for the next 3 years, he’ll be a bargain.
If Cam Ward handles the pressure of the #1 spot, Carolina will remain dangerous indeed. Even if he falters, the team in front of him is deep enough to easily make the playoffs. However, I can’t see Ward maintaining his form. Although he won the Con Smythe last year, he was pulled a couple times and simply wasn’t the starter last year. He played in only 28 games of the regular season.
Carolina should still be considered the favourite in the Southeast division next year but will have to watch over their shoulders for Tampa Bay, Florida and especially Atlanta.
August 16th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Doug Weight is a non-factor IMO. Carolina was already one of the best teams in the league before he came in, and I don’t think he really boosted the team as much as people thought he would. So it’s not a huge loss.
August 17th, 2006 at 12:39 am
I think Doug Weight added more of the intagibles, particularly once the playoffs started. Carolina had a relatively inexperienced team and veterans like Weight add much more than their stats might otherwise suggest.
I will agree however that his loss won’t be much of a factor. With Brind’amour and Staal as Carolina’s 1-2 punch, there won’t be alot of minutes left for the remaining centermen. Certainly not enough to justify paying a guy of Weight’s caliber for an entire season.