The Carolina Hurricanes finished in last place in the Metropolitan Division last season, but their underlying numbers were substantially better than that, so it’s not unreasonable to think that they could be an improved club in 2015-2016.

One way for the ‘Canes to get better results is to come up on the right side of the percentages, and adding goaltender Eddie Lack does give them a better shot at achieving that goal. Lack will compete with Cam Ward for playing time, but better goaltending is imperative for any substantial improvement.

On the blueline, Justin Faulk is an emerging star, but Carolina bolstered their defence with a trade for James Wisniewski, who has bounced around a bit, but has been productive. Long-term, young defencemen Noah Hanifin – the third overall pick this summer – and Ryan Murphy could grow into big roles.

Continuity is strong up front, where the only change among the regulars was a buyout of Alexander Semin and his spot was eventually taken by Kris Versteeg, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks a week before training camp.

Since there are a lot of familiar faces up front, the Hurricanes will need Eric Staal, Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner to have productive seasons in order to have a chance to contend for a playoff spot.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

June 27: Canucks trade G Lack to Hurricanes

June 27: Wisniewski dealt to Carolina

August 20: Hurricanes hire Eric Tulsky as Hockey Analyst

September 11: ‘Hawks flip Versteeg, Nordstrom to Hurricanes

 

2015-16 CAROLINA HURRICANES

* Off-season Addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Eric Staal Jordan Staal Elias Lindholm
Jeff Skinner Victor Rask Kris Versteeg
Nathan Gerbe Riley Nash Andrej Nestrasil
Joakim Nordstrom Jay McClement Chris Terry
Brad Malone   Zach Boychuk

Fighting For Jobs: LW Brock McGinn, RW Justin Shugg

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Ron Hainsey Justin Faulk
John-Michael Liles James Wisniewski*
Michel Jordan Ryan Murphy
  Danny Biega

Fighting For Jobs: LD Noah Hanifin*, LD Haydn Fleury, LD Rasmus Rissanen

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Cam Ward Eddie Lack* Drew MacIntyre

Off-season Departures: RW Alexander Semin, G Anton Khudobin

Projected Lineup: Michael Smith/CarolinaHurricanes.com

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. Where will top picks Noah Hanifin and Haydn Fleury fall on ‘D’ depth chart?

2. Can Eddie Lack supplant Cam Ward as ‘Canes starter?

3. Will Kris Versteeg or Elias Lindholm skate with Eric and Jordan Staal?

 

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

C Noah Hanifin (Boston College, H-East): Smooth skater trying to make transition to the NHL look as easy as he did as 17 year old in NCAA.

Long-Term Prospect

D Haydn Fleury (Red Deer, WHL): A top four blueliner who can skate and play a strong territorial game. Important complimentary type.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 72 (26th) 83 (24th) 71 (26th)
Goals For 2.7 (T-13th) 2.5 (22nd) 2.2 (27th)
Goals Against 3.3 (T-29th) 2.8 (19th) 2.7 (18th)
Power Play 15% (27th) 15% (28th) 19% (T-13th)
Penalty Killing 78% (28th) 82% (T-17th) 85% (4th)
SAT% Possession 52% (10th) 50% (15th) 53% (9th)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $62.0M/$71.4M

The Hurricanes aren’t going to be pushing up against the cap, and the only contracts they have that are remotely onerous (now that they have bought out Alexander Semin) -- $8.25-million to Eric Staal and $6.3-million to Cam Ward – are due to expire at season’s end, so internal limits will be the only issue for Carolina’s spending.

 

PARTING SHOT