Carolina Hurricanes Player Power Rankings: A Perfect Week In
Midway Players
15. player. 109. . . . Lucas Wallmark
The first goal of the season belongs to him. Remember that because I am more than certain it will be an obscure trivia question. Since then Lucas Wallmark has been held off the scoresheet. Is it him? Is it his line mates? The only reason he isn’t any lower on this list is the fact that he opened up the scoring for the team. Perhaps he will reappear soon enough.
. . . Martin Necas. 14. player. 109
There were many who believed that Martin Necas stole a starting roster spot from Julien Gauthier. This one time first round pick had failed to really impress anyone in the preseason, especially over the efforts of Gauthier. But one game in and one power play goal since has quieted his criticism. He also had an assist against the panthers.
Not a bad start for a player who many decided should be sent back down to the Checkers.
. . Jordan Martinook. 13. player. 109.
The new den father of the Carolina Hurricanes now that Justin Williams has decided to take a break from the league. Jordan Martinook has taken his new role as assistant captain very seriously. But he has been a leader in the locker room since the day he got here.
The last week may have only seen him net a single assist but his contributions off the ice have been felt on it. Him going into surgery and being out over a month will also be felt. It explains the addition of Julian Gauthier and will put a lot of pressure for other players to step up. He will be missing from future power rankings until he gets back, but he wont be missing from our hearts.
. Jake Gardiner. 12. player. 109. .
Toronto Maple Leafs fans have been very quick to fill my twitter feed with unkind words about Jake Gardiner. They claim that he is the sole reason for their lack of a championship for the last half century and that the sweetheart deal of $4 million a year is actually a bad contract for the Carolina Hurricanes.
To be honest, I just don’t see it. Considering he is only 29 years old and has been a staple of this defense I think the Maple Leafs may have problems not named Gardiner. His clutch goal towards the end of overtime against the Washington Capitals also kind of disproves any sort of “he chokes away games” argument.
109. . . . Sebastian Aho. 11. player
What is there to say about Sebastian Aho that I have not already said? The kid is our superstar forward. Yes he has only a single point off an empty net goal in the final two minutes of the last game. Yes he has failed to get any real offense going so far. So what? He is donned in Red and White and to be honest, that’s more than any other team can say, especially Montreal.
The point is, he is finally on the board. The monkey is off his back. His performance has not been bad. He has been active. Has had plenty of opportunities. Has taken great shots. Just had bad puck luck. It happens. His teammates pick him up. Luck runs out. Even bad luck.