Carolina Hurricanes: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

The Carolina Hurricanes have plenty of promise on paper. But what could potentially hold them back in 2018-19?

New Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon and general manager Don Waddell promised the team would look different from last season.

Carolina has been stuck in a state of mediocrity since their last playoff appearance in 2009. In the nine seasons since, they’ve finished with 80-plus points seven times, including each of the last three seasons. Never fully committing to a rebuild while failing to make substantial in-house improvement have led the Hurricanes to today.

Along with a new owner and general manager, former captain and franchise legend Rod Brind’Amour will try his hand at coaching. Franchise wins leader Cam Ward has left for Chicago. Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin, the No. 5 overall picks in 2013 and 2015, were traded to Calgary. More changes could be on the way.

Which leads us to our first burning question:

What’s next?

After trading for Dougie Hamilton, signing Calvin de Haan, and giving Trevor van Reimsdyk a nice raise, the Hurricanes have a logjam on defense.

Just about everyone expects Justin Faulk to be moved. He’s been one of the most sought after Hurricanes players for at least the past two years now. Needing helping in other areas, Faulk could be used to acquire a good center or an actual goalie. 

Jeff Skinner is another trade candidate. If Faulk has been the groom of trade rumors surrounding Carolina, Skinner has certainly been his bride. The 26-year-old has been traded to roughly every team in the league by anyone with the ability to type in 140 characters.

Skinner is in the final year of a contract that pays him $5.7 million. By holding onto him this long, Carolina has lost some leverage. The contract situation makes Faulk the more attractive option. He too is just 26, has an extra year on his contract, and is owed $4.8 million per season. Teams looking for a top four defenseman have almost certainly inquired about the Hurricanes co-captain.

It’s possible Carolina holds on to both players. Sometimes, when there’s smoke, there’s fire. Other times, when there’s smoke, mom left the oven on too long and burned the cookies. Those cookies are no good, but you have whole other roll of cookie dough in the fridge.

Sweeping front office changes and a new bench boss represent a fresh start for Faulk and Skinner. Don’t burn the cookies this time, mom.