2010 Carolina Hurricanes Preview
I guess the best thing we can say about the Carolina Hurricanes is they are a team in transition. Last year was an up and down roller coaster that nearly landed them into the post season. However the forward depth that was a staple of the 2006 Stanley Cup winning team is no more. It has been further eroded by the retirement of Rob Brind’Amour and the defection of Ray Whitney to Phoenix. Now Eric Staal and Cam Ward are the nucleus of talent for which younger talent must be built around.
Paul Maurice is back calling the shots for this team, and he has a very capable assistant in Ron Francis. Sure last year was a disappointment but with all the injuries Maurice has earned a pass. Hopefully those injuries are behind them as Ward missed significant time which led to three different net minders starting games for this team a season ago.
The first line seems pretty set. Staal will center it with Jussi Jokinen and Tuomo Ruutu along side him. Brandon Sutter seems set as the second line center, but the other eight forward spots are as of yet to be determined. This team’s breakout candidate may be Center Jiri Tlusty. Sure he has been out of action for two years, but this roster may leave him a spot on a scoring line.
Key Additions- D Joe Corvo, D Bobby Sanguinetti, C Jonathan Matsumoto, and C Riley Nash
Key Subtractions- LW Ray Whitney, C Rob Brind’Amour, and D Tim Conboy
