Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019
21. Carolina Hurricanes
If I were placing bets on the 2019 Stanley Cup, this is the point where I would be able to make enough a reach to place a reasonable value bet, because all teams beyond this point at the very least have the capacity to compete for a playoff spot.
Every year the Carolina Hurricanes are the popular dark horse team to make into the postseason, but there is a case to make for them this season after some key additions and player growth that could have them finding a way into the postseason in the crowded Metropolitan Division.
Last season the Carolina Hurricanes finished 21st in the league with 83 points, and they’ve been floating around that same point total for a few seasons now, but this could be a year for some massive improvements.
Why they could win
The Hurricanes got exactly what they needed by winning the second overall pick in the draft lottery this past June. With the pick they drafted an elite, NHL-ready scoring winger in Andrei Svechnikov. Sticking Svechnikov on the right wing gives the Hurricanes what very well could be one of the best wing depths in the NHL today, and will get even better as the years go on, as long as they don’t trade Jeff Skinner like they’ve been rumored to.
The defense for Carolina honestly looks like it could transform into one of the best defense cores in the league if all goes right. To bolster it, Carolina made the biggest blockbuster trade of this offseason when they landed Dougie Hamilton and Michael Ferland in return for Noah Hanafin and Elias Lindholm who were having tough contract negotiations. To compliment Hamilton, the Hurricanes also signed Calvin de Haan.
The real problem last year with the Hurricanes was their goaltending, even though Scott Darling was supposed to be the solution to that problem. Darling was the opposite and posted an uncharacteristic .888 save percentage. With Darling on the verge of a bounceback season and the signing of Petr Mrazek to be his backup, or maybe the starter, goaltending could be at least be what they need to succeed.
Why they won’t win
Carolina last made the playoffs in 2009, and every single year the same thing gets said about the Hurricanes. Every year is always the year they make a big step and get into the postseason after an offseason of improvements, but it’s never enough, and there are still holes this year that need to be addressed.
Banking on Darling and Mrazek to have bounce back seasons is a dangerous plan. Darling was a back-up his whole career, and his numbers instantly dropped the second he was given starting responsibilities in Carolina. Petr Mrazek also just isn’t that good, and is a backup caliber goalie. Best case scenario is that get league average goaltending, which won’t push a team over the top.
The center depth in Carolina also leaves a lot to be desired. Jordan Staal as a first line center is not good enough, and he is proceeded by fringe second/third line center Victor Rask, and rookie Martin Necas. There’s been talks of taking Sebastian Aho off the wing and putting him at center, a sign that they are desperate enough to potentially sabotage their top forward just for more center depth.
Conclusion
This is the year the Hurricanes take a big step into being playoff competitors, but the two biggest pieces that determine a playoff team are center depth and goaltending. Carolina is lacking in both of them. Next season we’ll be hearing the same stories on how Carolina is ready to break through to the playoffs, because it’s not happening this year unless several Metropolitan teams take a step back.