07-08 RECORD: 43-33-6 92 pointsDIVISION: 2nd
CONFERENCE: 9th
RESULT: Missed playoffs
OFF SEASON:
ARRIVALS: D Joni Pitkanen(EDM), D Josef Melichar(EUR), D Anton Babchuk(EUR)
DEPARTURES: C Keith Aucoin, RW Eric Cole, G John Grahame, C Jeff Hamilton, D Brett Hedican, C Trevor Letowski, D David Tanabe, D Glen Wesley
There probably wasn't a team that needed/wanted a puck-moving defensemen more than the Carolina Hurricanes. Throughout the whole year the Canes searched and searched and did acquire Joe Corvo from the Senators at the trade deadline who played extremely well after the trade. That still want enough for the Canes and with so many teams also with the need of a puck-moving defensemen and the lack of quality the Canes needed to give up something to get something. The Canes eventually had to give up fan favourite and solid top six winger Eric Cole to the Oilers in order to get young defensemen Joni Pitkanen. Pitkanen struggled last year with the Oilers after coming over from the Flyers the previous summer and was looking for a big contract. The Canes were able to acquire Pitkanen and sign him to a contract extension. The Canes were other wise quiet but now need to search for another top-6 winger to replace Justin Williams who will be out 4-6 months after he tore his right Achilles tendon.
CAP HIT: 49.32 million
FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- R.WHITNEY-E.STAAL-T.RUUTU
2- S.SAMSONOV-R.BRIND'AMOUR-P.EAVES
3- R.BAYDA-M.CULLEN-S.WALKER
4- W.BROOKBANK-B.SUTTER-C.LaROSE
E- T.CONBOY-J.JENSEN-J.WILLIAMS(INJ.)
The loss of Williams hurts the Hurricanes badly. They now have a hole in their top-6 and whether Jim Rutherford is able to fill it is another question. The Canes still wont have trouble scoring goals but when you loose two of your top-6 forwards in one summer and dont replace them it is gonna hurt your chances. The Canes are lead by Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour who will lead the attack along with Ray Whitney. Sergei Samsonov finally found his game again after being dealt to Carolina and was rewarded with a contract extension in the summer. Tuomo Ruutu and Patrick Eaves will be looked upon to step up their games with both of them being forced into bigger roles. Matt Cullen will anchor Carolina's third line and is one of the better 3rd line centers in the league. Scott Walker could start alongside Cullen but if Eaves or Ruutu dont produce he will be ready to jump into the top 6. Brett Sutter, the Canes 1st overall pick from 07 will center the fourth line and will have some of the best centerman to look up to and learn from.
DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- J.CORVO-T.GLESSON
2- J.PITKANEN-N.WALLIN
3- A.BABCHUK-F.KABERLE
E- D.SEIDENBERG-J.MELICHAR
The Canes have some decent depth on their blueline and lots of guys who are able to move the puck. Other than Pitkanen, the Canes also brought Anton Babchuk and Josef Melichar back from Europe. Corvo was probably the best surprise from the Canes year last year after he came over from Ottawa. He will be looked to patrol the blueline along with Pitkanen. Tom Glesson has really blossomed into a quality top-4 defensemen and is probably the Canes best defensive defensemen. Niclas Wallin is back again while Frantisek Kaberle has been rumored to be on the trade block, in order for the Canes to add another top 6 forward. If he does get moved Denis Seidenberg or Melichar will be more than capable filling his spot.
GOALIES:
1- C.WARD
2- M.LEIGHTON
3- J.PETERS
Cam Ward was really good at times but not so good at others. Consistency will be Ward's biggest challenge this year and if he is able to be more consistent, really back to how he played during the Canes cup run, the Canes will be in the hunt down till the final days of the season. Michael Leighton played so well in the minors last season he was given a one-way contract and will be Ward's back-up this season.
OVERALL
The Canes will be competitive this season once again but with the loss of Williams, it will be tough for the Canes to fill his spot. Ruutu and Eaves have never really been given chances to play in major roles but that is all players need is a chance. Ruutu will also have to avoid the injury bug which has plagued him throughout his career. Ward will be better this season but the Canes defense could be a little shaky in their own end. All in all, the Canes wont have enough to make the playoffs.
PREDICTION- 3rd Division, 9th Conference
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