Outlook:
They weren’t supposed to defeat the New Jersey Devils in the 2009 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, but the Carolina Hurricanes did just that in dramatic fashion. They weren’t supposed to defeat the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but the Carolina Hurricanes did just that…in dramatic fashion.
While the ‘Canes made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year, they lost the energy in the end and got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. However Paul Maurice—who took over in Carolina on December 3, 2008 for his second stint—helped the team fight through adversity throughout the season.
It is true that some people thought Scott Walker got away with only a slap on the wrist after game five of their series with the Bruins. It was also true that in December many people thought the ‘Canes would miss the playoffs for the third year in a row.
By now, I hope everyone got the point that the ‘Canes were not to be taken for granted in 2008-09. They were under the radar then, and they are still under the radar entering the 2009-10 season.
The ‘Canes won the Stanley Cup in the first season of the post lockout era and after two straight years without a playoff appearance, they look like a team that has what it takes to make some noise again this year after their playoff run in 2009.
Many players still remain from that 2006 team under then head coach Peter Laviolette: Rod Brind’Amour, Erik Cole (re-acquired at the trade deadline last year from Edmonton), Matt Cullen, Ray Whitney, Chad LaRose, Niclas Wallin and Cam Ward have all stuck around while Aaron Ward—the guy who Walker sucker punched in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals—has returned to the ‘Canes after stints with the Bruins and Rangers.
So now the question remains, can those eight players guide the underrated ‘Canes to another Stanley Cup in 2009-10? Here’s a look at the rest of the roster.
Sergei Samsonov has the talent to help a stabilized scoring attack. The former first round pick of the Bruins played in 81 games last year—his most since 2000-01 where he played 82 games (only time he did so)—and had 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists). He also haunted his former team in their seven-game series.
Jussi Jokinen had three game winning goals during the playoffs (and a dramatic game-tying goal in game seven with their series against the Devils). Jokinen could be one of the ‘Canes who could truly shine in 2009-10.
Whitney, Staal, LaRose, Cullen, Cole and Tuomo Ruutu round up the top nine forwards in Carolina. All will contribute to a potent offense in Carolina this year.
Stay at home defensemen Aaron Ward and Andrew Alberts were added to the ‘Canes blue-line. Goaltender Cam Ward will certainly appreciate that. Puck moving defensemen Joe Corvo and Joni Pitkanen return, while Tim Gleason, Anton Babchuk and Wallin add more depth on the blue-line.
With seven defensemen with NHL experience, Maurice has options for his lineup; expect either Babchuk or Alberts to be a healthy scratch when they open the season October 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers (that’s already smelling like a good playoff matchup). For now Alberts, a former Flyer, looks like the leading candidate.
In the Southeast Division, the ‘Canes are still beneath the Washington Capitals and will once again be the second best team ahead of Tampa Bay, Florida and Atlanta. After their playoff run in 2009, expect a top five finish for the Hurricanes in the East.
Prediction: Second in Southeast, Fifth in East
Projected Lines:
Ray Whitney – Eric Staal – Tuomo Ruutu
Erik Cole – Rod Brind’Amour – Jussi Jokinen
Sergei Samsonov – Matt Cullen – Chad LaRose
Scott Walker – Stephane Yelle – Tom Kostopoulos
Joe Corvo – Joni Pitkanen
Anton Babchuk – Aaron Ward
Niclas Wallin – Andrew Alberts
Cam Ward
Michael Leighton
Posted by Tim Rosenthal 
