Season Preview: Carolina Hurricanes
Major Additions: Jeff Hamilton, Matt Cullen
Major Subtractions: Josef Vasicek, Shane Willis
Analysis
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Hurricanes stood mostly still over the summer, despite missing the playoffs by a healthy 3 spots (if only 4 points) when far more is expected of the team. Of course, they did very little the summer after winning the Stanley Cup and went almost instantly from elite to ordinary-at-best.
The Hurricanes need three things to happen if they want any success this year: first and most importantly, they need Cam Ward to have a better year (neither John Grahame nor Michael Leighton is a suitable solution should he falter).
Second, Eric Staal needs to regain the form that saw him net 100 points a few years ago. Rod Brind’Amour is best used as a second line centre.
Third, the ‘Canes need a better performance from their blueline. A healthy Frantisek Kaberle will help; however, their deep but stud-less defence either needs an unexpected star to show up (unlikely) or needs to collectively outperform their expectations.
I just don’t see it. Cam Ward to me is the Achilles heel of the team, and I don’t see them improving in that area anytime soon. They have fewer than $5 million in cap space with which to add to the team and have a number of their key players (including three of their top five defencemen) heading for unrestricted free agency next summer. Difficult decisions approach, particularly if the team finds itself on the bubble of the playoff picture nearing the trade deadline. Do they move proven performers like the woefully underpaid Cory Stillman or do they attempt to add to their roster?
The Hurricanes had better start deciding who they wish to keep and who they can afford to lose, because they are likely to be a bubble team for most of the season.