Micheal Aldred

Sudbury, ON • Canada • 27 Years Old • Male

Preview: Carolina Hurricanes

Primary Staff: Jim Rutherford (GM) Paul Maurice (Head Coach)
2009-10 Stats: 82GP 35W 37L 10OTL 80PTS
Place: 3rd Southeast, 11th Eest, 24th NHL
Top Scorer: Eric Staal – 70GP 29G 31A 70P
Captains: Eric Staal (C)

OFF-SEASON MOVES

OUT:

Ray Whitney (Signed with Phoenix)
Rod Brind’Amour (Retired)
Tim Conboy (Signed with Buffalo)

IN:

Joe Corvo (Free Agent)
Jeff Skinner (Selected 7th Overall)

If there is one positive thing that has happened to this team it is that the departures of Ray Whitney and Rod Brind’Amour have made them a much younger club. That said, the leadership and goal scoring ability may have also left them in the process. The Hurricanes were not active in the free agent market as the signing of Joe Corvo was their only decision regarding this year’s summer crop and that could cost them some significant points in the standings this season.

They will be looking from within the franchise’s prospect depth to fill some holes with plenty of available opportunities to be had. Outside of the top line, it’s difficult to say who is truly safe on this club. If the kids can shine they’ll get the time, so to speak. This is a great season to be a part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ franchise. It’s not often almost every position on a club could be attained by a prospect in training camp. Player’s will have more drive to make the club this season which will pay off for the management and fans as it will urge the veterans to play better in order to secure themselves in the opening night line-up.

Cam Ward was an unfortunate situation last season. In December, he had a lacerated right leg and missed 13 games. In March, he was forced to sit out 18 games due to an upper body injury believed to be back problems. If he’s able to fix his injury problems and put on a strong performance this season, the team would certainly benefit from strength and consistency in at least one department.

Carolina is a club that is beginning its rebuilding stage. It’s not expected of them to compete for a playoff position this season, but with a few more years of development for their youth, this club could be dangerous to play against. Their franchise players (Eric Staal – 25, and Cam Ward – 26) are still young, and coming into their prime. With a young, strong and eager supporting cast in the near future, the team will be exciting to watch.

Prediction: 4th Southeast, 13th East

HURRICANES DEPTH CHART

Tuomo Ruutu – Eric Staal – Erik Cole
Chad Larose – Brandon Sutter – Jussi Jokinen
Zach Boychuk – Patrick Dwyer – Tom Kostopoulos
Sergei Samsonov – Jiri Tlusty – Jerome Samson

Joni Pitkanen – Tim Gleason
Jamie McBain – Anton Babchuk
Joe Corvo – Jay Harrison
Bobby Sanguinetti

Cam Ward
Justin Peters

For more articles by Micheal Aldred, visit http://www.thecheckingline.com