The Carolina Hurricanes have prevailed. Against all odds, their will to win was to much for the Washington Capitals. The series has proven that Carolina can stand with the best of them, and this Hurricanes resurgence is just the beginning.
The Washington Capitals were worthy opponents. After facing elimination, PNC provided a unsurmountable arena that helped propel the Hurricanes to even the series. Carolina Responded by putting forth an unforgettable game that took every player to their physical and mental limit.
With a series victory in the rear-view mirror, and the benefit of the growth that comes from an all out brawl of this magnitude, there seems to be unlimited potential on the horizon. Potential that could shift the balance of power in the NHL; a shift that has already begun this season.
In Part 1 of our series we discussed the young and talented core group that formulates this exciting team. In Part 2 we discussed the necessity for management to surround that young talent with veteran players who can aid in development and be counted on late in contests. In Part 3 we’ll discuss the game’s most important position; the Goaltender.
The @NHLCanes take down the defending champs with a double-overtime goal on the road. pic.twitter.com/qxWYcsxQsf
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) April 25, 2019
A position that has been often difficult to fill for this team, the history of the Carolina Hurricanes is riddled with an inability to truly find the long-term answer between the pipes. Many players have been tasked with the challenge, but few have been able to put forth franchise altering play.
Petr Mrazek looks like the answer for now, and has been vital in these playoffs, but with an inconsistent past, one has to question whether the dazzling Mrazek of current Carolina fame will return to the player that is on his third team in 6 seasons. Will the platoon of Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney be enough to keep up with the rest of the talent already on the roster?
I don’t believe the long-term answer is merely Mrazek, although I do think his place on this team has been firmly cemented; I do believe, however, that the answer may already in the organization. That answer could be goalie prospect Alex Nedeljkovic.
And with that, we present Can the Hurricanes Build a Dynasty Ep. 3; Nothin’ But Ned