This summer, CardiacCane will be counting down the greatest Carolina Hurricanes players of all-time, ranking them from number 50 to number 1.
Starting June 1st, we will be unveiling our list of the best Canes players ever, ordering them from 1 to 50. The players ranked 50 through 26 will be unveiled in June, then the top 25 in July and August.
Our list was complied from the personal lists of all of our contributors. Each player ranking was averaged between all the lists to make one truly definitive Carolina Hurricanes all-time player list.
#40 – Doug Weight
To play so few games in a Hurricanes sweater and still be on this list, you had to have done some great things. In only 46 career games for Carolina, Doug Weight left his mark in a big way. His career rivals that of any American ever, and is topped off with a Stanley Cup victory in 2006.
Eyes On Isles
In his incredible 20 year NHL career, Weight was a lethal offensive weapon. More of a passer than a finisher, his 1033 career points and his 755 assists rank 7th and 5th respectively all-time for American players. His offensive abilities were well known before he took the ice dawning warning flags.
To bolster an already talented roster, Jim Rutherford made a two huge acquisitions at the deadline, one of which being Weight. It took the veteran a little while to get going, but eventually he settled in as a middle 6 forward come playoff time.
In those playoffs, Weight is probably best remembered for two things. First, his beautiful black eye he sported for the Eastern Conference Finals. Second, his heroics to tie that Game 7 of that series in the 3rd period, sparking the Canes to victory.
When it was all said and done and Weight lifted his first and only Cup, he was 6th on the team in playoff points with 16. That’s even more impressive considering he fought through a painful shoulder injury for most of the Finals.
Next: Carolina Hurricanes All-Time List: #41 Kevin Weekes
Recalling the Cup run, every Caniac remembers the big names, like Staal, Brind’Amour, Ward, Wesley. But, sometimes there isn’t enough appreciation for how good and deep that team was. Williams, Ladd, Whitney, Cullen, Recchi, and of course Weight were all fantastic players in 2006. Each contributing just as much as those stars. While brief, Weight’s efforts in Canes red earn him a spot on this list.