Carolina Hurricanes

The next team preview we are doing is the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams in the league the past 3 years, enjoying stable success, but never making it out of the second round of the playoffs. The Hurricanes barely squeaked by the Boston Bruins in 7 games in round 1 , then lost to the New York Rangers the next round in 7 games last season. The Hurricanes did not win a single away game through the entirety of the 2022 playoffs, however they also lost only 1 home game. Carolina's forwards got worse after last season, but their defense improved. The Hurricanes have an exciting group of young forwards with Aho, Svechnikov, Jarvis, Necas, and Teravainen, mixed in with some veterans that fill up the spots around them. They added another offensive weapon in a trade with Vegas, Max Pacioretty, but he is out for 6 months with a torn achilles tendon. The Canes lost two great forwards this offseason, second line center, Vincent Trocheck and their third line winger, Nino Niederreiter. Both of these players played a huge role for the Canes and will prove to be big losses, especially Niederreiter. Carolina's replacements for Trocheck and Niederreiter are not the same caliber players. They brought in Paul Stastney on a cheap 1 year x $1.5 million deal. He has been a good player in the league for a long time, but is starting to get old. Trocheck could have had a better season, but still had more points than Stastney, had large impact on the power play, and finished scoring chances at a higher rate. The Canes also brought in Ondej Kase to replace Niederreiter. Kase does not generate much offense, but is a great penalty killer. Carolina will be missing the offensive side of Niederreiter's game with Kase. The Hurricanes defense improved by letting offensive defenseman, Tony Deangelo walk after last season. He played a big role for the offense especially on the power play, however he was a total liability in their defensive zone. They also let defensemen Brenden Smith (whose offense is also better than his defense) and defensive defenseman Ian Cole walk in free agency. While the Hurricanes let those guys walk, they had defenseman Ethan Bear, acquired Dylan Coghlan in the Pacioretty trade, and acquired 6 time all star Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks. Burns needed a change of scenery, and Carolina is a great place to do so. The Hurricanes needed a proven number 1 defenseman and went out and got him. Goalie, Freddy Andersen is another bright spot of this Hurricanes team. Andersen has been a top 10 goaltender in the league for the past 3 years, but doesn't seem to be able to stay healthy for a full season. Had he stayed healthy last season, the Hurricanes could have beaten the Rangers and been able to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a run for their money in the Eastern Conference Finals. Carolina is primed to be in the playoffs again, and if Pacioretty can come back from his injury and perform at a high level, with that skilled forward group, the Hurricanes can be a scary team come April.

Record Prediction- 51-26-5

Playoffs Prediction- Yes