Carolina Hurricanes: The Curious Case of Cam Ward’s Backups

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward
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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 30: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by teammate Noah Hanifin #5 after a victory over the Ottawa Senators following an NHL game on January 30, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 30: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by teammate Noah Hanifin #5 after a victory over the Ottawa Senators following an NHL game on January 30, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

In Summation

Cam Ward is unquestionably etched into the Carolina Hurricanes’ history books.  While some criticism rests on the Alberta native’s shoulders, he was also a victim of circumstance on several occasions.

Playing behind teams that were often inept defensively (especially compared to where the Hurricanes are now) played a part, as did a parade of often ill-suited backups.

As we move towards year 2 of a new era for the Carolina Hurricanes, this article serves as a reminder of how moves that seem good at the time can completely backfire.  Let us not forget our past as we move into a future brighter than we’ve grown accustomed to.

Okay, Caniacs, which backup had you forgotten about?  Which one had you pinned the most hope on?

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