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Metro Division Outlook: Where do the Carolina Hurricanes Stand?

By Joshua Ryan

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 15: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 15, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 15: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 15, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Key Additions

Gustav Nyquist

Key Departures

Sergei Bobrovsky

Artemi Panarin

Matt Duchene

Ryan Dzingel

Keith Kinkaid

No team was butchered quite like the Columbus Blue Jackets this offseason. Leading scorer with 87 points in 79 games, gone. Number one goaltender with two Vezina’s in his trophy case at only 30 years old, gone. Trade deadline acquisition that costs a first-round pick and prospects, gone. A forward who cost two second round picks and a player, gone.

The worst part about what has happened to Columbus is that they haven’t acquired talent to replace what they have lost. They put all their chips in on 2018, and they came up short. Replicating an 80-point, 30 goal player is improbable; replicating the amount of experience that a guy like Bobrovsky had, is impossible.

There are reasons to think that Columbus won’t be as bad as their offseason would lead you to believe. Gustav Nyquist is a very good hockey player and provides a lot of experience and skill. They still have good talent up the middle, with Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alexander Wennberg, Boone Jenner, and Brandon Dubinsky.

Their forward group overall is decent, with Cam Atkinson goal scoring prowess still on the roster, Nick Foligno’s leadership still a presence, and the grit provided by guys like Josh Anderson will still be a factor.

Their blueline also remains intact and should continue to be the biggest strength of this team. Zach Werenski, who will return despite his RFA status, and Seth Jones are still a top 5 pairing in the NHL, and the depth of guys like Ryan Murray and David Savard should help that group continue to stand out.

The biggest question mark is obviously goaltending. The Blue Jackets didn’t score on any free agents and will most likely go into the season with Joonas Korpisalo as their starter. Korpisalo isn’t bad in any sense of the word, but he isn’t proven either. Without a veteran backup, one has to wonder if the wheels could potentially fall off a quarter way into the season if Korpisalo can’t figure it out.

X- Factor’s

Goaltending

Unless there is a miracle season provided by one of Columbus’s two top goaltender prospects, this should be a storyline to watch; and their season could pay the price of not being more aggressive in free agency

Replacing the Breadman’s Production

If Pierre-Luc Dubois can take the next step] as a playmaker, and Foligno and Jenner can both surpass 25 goals, than this team could be able to stay afloat in a tight playoff race.

John Tortorella

Torts is still a good hockey coach. If he can maintain this locker room for the long haul, then they might be able to build off a good 2018. If Tortorella falters, the whole thing may go up in smoke.

Best Case

First Wildcard

Worst Case

Draft Lottery

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