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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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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 16: Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders celebrates his shorthanded goal at 16:57 of the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 16: Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders celebrates his shorthanded goal at 16:57 of the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Why the Hurricanes aren’t Contenders Yet

The Canes are not contenders precisely for the reasons I mentioned previously. Their offense is lacking and they don’t have the goaltending depth. At the very least, we need to come to some sort of realization, that our offense just isn’t that great.

Jeff Skinner is very good and Lindholm, Aho and Teravainen have bright futures. Justin Williams is decent (and 36). This offense isn’t bringing us through 4 seven game series. Think about all of the teams the Hurricanes would have to get through.

The Canes would run into too many strong defenses and quality goaltenders.  Carolina is currently 22nd in the NHL in goals, 30th in powerplay percentage and 27th in shooting. How would this fare against teams like Columbus, Washington ,Tampa and Ottawa?

And, of course, I know what you’re thinking. The Hurricanes haven’t looked this good in years. Give it time, let their offense bloom. I completely agree with this. In fact, a whole section of the article is going to address it.

But right now, this offense isn’t capable of carrying the Canes to a cup. I don’t think it’s quite as awful as most make it out to be, but there is a whole lot of room for improvement.

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