Carolina Hurricanes Opening Night Roster Predictions

Oct 10, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie

(31) celebrates with Hurricanes goalie

(30) after the Hurricanes game against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. The Hurricanes won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Goalies

Starter: Cam Ward

Backup: Anton Khudobin

AHL Starter: Drew MacIntyre

Explanation

I use the words “starter” and “backup” pretty loosely here. Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin will both get a lot of playing time next season if they both play well.

Cam Ward is entering the most crucial year in his NHL career. Anton Khudobin is poised to steal the starting spot this year, and if Cam Ward does not play well early in the year, he will.

I expect to see a new Cam Ward. He is finally healthy, and he will be motivated to make a big impact this season. It is all a mental thing for Ward. If he can get his mind right, he can be a great goalie once again.

The same can be said about Anton Khudobin. He will look to take the starting job and run away with it. The Carolina Hurricanes need a tough goalie competition this season. It will make both goalies strive to be better than the other.

Drew MacIntyre should be a very good AHL starter and third string goalie for the Hurricanes. He should fill Justin Peters‘ role pretty well.