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Carolina Hurricanes: The Path to Contention

By Thomas G

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

For the Carolina Hurricanes to get back on the road to contending in the Eastern Conference, these are the steps they need to take.

Entering the Trail

I’ve been putting this article off for a little while, but have come to the conclusion that it is inevitable. The Hurricanes have some of the best defense in the NHL, which would complement the overall team core of any current contender.

I’m not going to lie to you folks, I don’t think the Hurricanes are legitimate cup contenders at this point. I do not think this is due to an underlying factor of a lack of experience or anything like that, whatsoever.

In fact, I think playoff experience is incredibly overrated. Obviously, young players need time to develop into better players. However, there seems to be a looming idea that playoff experience is a deciding factor, regardless of team quality.

Anyone that suggests teams like the Oilers (who are off to a horrendous start) or the Leafs are not cup contenders, due to a lack of playoff experience are simply incorrect. There are no statistics showing that playoff hockey is any different from regular season hockey, game wise. It might feel a lot more exciting, but that’s because an entire year of hockey is being compressed into a thrilling 7-game series.

No, the Hurricanes are not contenders because they are simply not good enough at this point. Their offense, while underrated, is also underwhelming. The goaltending depth, is also yet to be where it needs to.

This rather large bit of writing is going to look deep into the soul of the Hurricanes. Hopefully Ron Francis will see this article and do everything I say. I cannot be wrong. I am always right. Nothing in this article, has even a microscopic chance of being at all wrong. Don’t you dare even question it. If you even question questioning it, you are holding the Canes back. You monster.

So, dear reader, with my mandatory paragraph of sarcasm out of the way, let’s get cracking… or storming… or hurricaning- I don’t know. Let’s get to it.

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