Carolina Hurricanes: The Vitality of Leadership in the Locker Room

The Carolina hurricanes are currently in the midst of a rough end of the month. The team is facing adversity that only experienced leadership can answer; and it is up to the locker room leaders to take the season back.

The Carolina Hurricanes started the 2019-2020 with a run that the franchise hadn’t seen in their 20-plus year history. They were hitting on all cylinders offensively and defensively, with only their penchant for penalties being the glaring weakness of their game.

The blue line was excelling, the line combinations where proving to utilize great chemistry, and goaltending had played as well as any fan could have hoped. It was the first big road trip out west, however, that seemed to take the season a different direction. Despite Saturdays win over the Chicago Blackhawks, the Canes have faltered.

2-4 over their last six games is a far cry from the 5-0 start. There was some hesitancy from fans, a very vocal few expressed a distrust of the team for their underperforming against teams like Columbus and Anaheim; teams that Carolina should have been able to get the better of.

These shortcomings have proven to be a valid concern for the fans, and the organization should share in that. Far from detrimental, these past few weeks should present some glaring areas of necessary improvement in the teams current game that could be addressed by the coaching staff, and possibly management.

This stretch shouldn’t merely fall on the staff, this falls on the players; specifically, the leadership group within the locker room. Many where carefully optimistic when Jordan Staal was announced as the team’s new captain. He did not necessarily excel in the same position just a few seasons ago, and many remained hesitant to his return to that coveted position.

These games really show why that lauded “C” is so important to a team. the ability for one voice to stand up and help the staff right the ship is so vital in a league where an entire season is defined by just a few points.

Think back to just a year ago, the Captaincy may have been the catalyst for the team to really make the most of a magical season.

Justin Williams, someone who should be regarded as one of the greatest players in Carolina Hurricanes history, was possibly the most important player on the roster. His ability to lift that locker room up, post all-star break, was the difference between the playoffs, and another year going home early.

There were other factors. The offense clicked, new players had developed awaited chemistry, and acquisitions really proved their value through their production. None of this, however, can take away from the incredible leadership demonstrated by number 14.

For this team to bounce back, and continue their recent NHL-wide dominance, the leadership group in Carolina needs to regain control of their own destiny. Jordan Martinook, possibly the heart and soul of that locker room, is still recovering from injury and the team has undoubtedly felt his lost.

Jaccob Slavin, the teams other alternate captain, and Jordan Staal have to live up the legacy and example that they witnessed a year ago. They must take their position as leaders and replicate, not only what Williams did, but what their own head coach did; taking a team that was good and pushing them to be great.

Brind’Amour has given them the formula, Waddell has given them the talent, and Dundon has given them the incentive; it is up to these players to foster greatness. For a team so young, it is only through genuine leadership that they can truly dig deep enough to harvest what many of us know is already there.

If these leaders can stand up and rally this group to do what past captains have, then the sky is truly the limit.

Question for CC readers: do you think Jordan Staal should take any responsibility for the recent team skid?