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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 thoughts on how to shake things up

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 27: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his assist on a goal by teammate Jeff Skinner #53 during an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues on October 27, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 27: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his assist on a goal by teammate Jeff Skinner #53 during an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues on October 27, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 04: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes gets ready prior to a faceoff against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 4, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 04: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes gets ready prior to a faceoff against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 4, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. Move Jeff Skinner up to the first line

For some reason, Peters has kept Jeff Skinner on the third line for the entire season. He’s played alongside Derek Ryan and Justin Williams for most of the year. However, with Williams getting moved up to the second line recently, Josh Jooris is now playing on the third line.

Skinner is too talented to get put on the third line for a team like the Canes. You need to manage your best talent to the best of the ability of the management and coaching staff right now. Carolina needs to either win or lose with the best players on the roster getting the largest roles.

Jordan Staal, Elias Lindholm, and Sebastian Aho are the three players manning the top line for Peters right now. Aho is a very potent offensive skill, but he’s gotten off to a very slow start to the season. Putting Aho and Skinner on the same line could spark something.

Peters should have the trust in his leading goal scorer to get more ice time and prove his worth in the biggest spotlight possible. Skinner has the skill to compete with the top goal-scorers in the league, but he’s not getting the chance to show that.

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