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