Season Preview: Carolina
By Tab Bamford, TheFourthPeriod.com
You
would be hard pressed to find another organization in the NHL that went all-in
as much as the Carolina Hurricanes did last summer. A disappointing,
injury-filled 2011-12 season granted them the eighth-overall pick in the Draft,
which GM Jim Rutherford traded to Pittsburgh (with Brandon Sutter and Brian
Dumoulin) for center Jordan Staal. Rutherford then signed enigmatic wing
Alexander Semin to a one-year deal, giving the Canes a revamped, potentially
dynamite new offense.
But with limited training camp time, how will the Canes mesh? We'll find out in
less than a week.
Forwards
Carolina's captain Eric Staal will be joined by brother Jordan this year; for
what it's worth, Jordan has an "A" next to his name on the roster page of the
Canes' website. And we've already mentioned Semin's arrival on the roster. But,
from there, the questions begin.
Tuomo Ruutu will reportedly be out of the lineup until May because of off-season
hip surgery, which has led to speculation that Kirk Muller will split up the
Staals. Where Jeff Skinner skates will make a significant impact on how teams
plan against the Canes, and how Chad LaRose and Jiri Tlusty fit into the
rotation is yet to be seen.
Defense
Two youngsters -- Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain -- will play major roles on the
blue line this year in Carolina. Faulk followed up 22 points in 66 NHL games
last season with 24 points in 31 games with Charlotte (Carolina's AHL
affiliate). McBain, meanwhile, registered 27 points in 76 games with the Canes
last year.
They will be joined by one of last season's hottest trade rumor topics, Tim
Gleason, and veterans Joe Corvo, Jay Harrison and Joni Pitkanen. Carolina might
be looking to add one more veteran to their blueline for depth, but expectations
are that the two youngsters will be impact players this year.
Goalies
Cam Ward will look to bounce back from an underwhelming season (which is true
for most of the Canes' roster). With a shortened season coming up, he'll
undoubtedly be asked to play most of Carolina's games; he finished last year
fifth in the NHL, appearing in 68 games. His .915 save percentage was good last
year, and improved play from the defensemen in front of him should help his
goals against come down.
Behind Ward could be the story of training camp for the Canes. Justin Peters,
26, has shown flashes of being NHL-ready in Charlotte and might push
newly-signed Dan Ellis out the door.
Projected Outcome
The Southeast Division could be a lot of fun to watch until the final horn
sounds in late-April this year. The improvements made up front should provide an
offensive boost for the Canes, and they'll certainly benefit twice by taking the
talented Semin away from division rival Washington. If they can stay healthy,
Carolina should be in the conversation for a playoff spot when April arrives.
3 Players to Watch
Alexander Semin
With only a one-year deal, Semin will either be a game-changer that gets a
big-money deal this summer... or he left millions on the table by taking the
short-term contract. He'll turn 29 in March, so this is truly a
make-or-break year for him.
Justin Faulk
He won't turn 21 until late-March, but Faulk has shown flashes of being a
skilled puck-mover in limited NHL action. If he can take another step
forward after a solid first half of the season in the AHL, he could be a
difference maker.
Linda and Henry Staal (aka,
Mom and Dad)
Their attentions will be able to focus a little easier this season with two
of their three NHL sons skating in the same rink each night (and younger
brother Jared just down the road with Charlotte).
