Carolina Hurricanes coach wants Skinner to get 40 goals
By Cory Buck
New Carolina Hurricanes coach Bill Peters wants to make his mark on the team. After five years out of the playoffs, the talented but troubled Canes need a new voice with new expectations. Peters believes that starts at the top with the team’s best forwards. If 21-year old Jeff Skinner can score 30 goals twice already in his career, then his new coach believes 40 goals should be no problem.
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Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer wrote several updates on Peters’ statements to the press at a team summer event in regards to Skinner and others. For Skinner, the message is simple. Drive play and score 40 goals.
Peters says he wants Jeff Skinner to "get to 40" goals and be a plus player.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) July 26, 2014
Peters didn’t stop there. The team can’t just fall on the shoulders of its best offensive player. If the Canes are to return to the playoffs, they’ll need their captain as well.
Peters says Eric Staal scoring one power-play goal is "unacceptable" and needs to be addressed and rectified.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) July 26, 2014
How might that happen, you ask? Simple. Create a better power play unit focused on the idea of a five-man unit as opposed to three forwards and two defensemen.
Peters says he plans to get the D more involved in the offense. "We have the guys on D to do that."
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) July 26, 2014
For now, it’s mostly talk with the Carolina Hurricanes, but the talent is there to make the playoffs in a downtrodden Eastern Conference. If Jeff Skinner can score 40 goals like his new coach hopes and captain Eric Staal can improve his play, expect to see the Canes back in the playoff mix in the new NHL season.