Carolina Hurricanes Player Power Rankings: Quarter Mark Thoughts

The Carolina Hurricanes are now 20 games and a fourth of the way through the 2019-2020 NHL Season. How do the players rank among themselves?

The Carolina Hurricanes once stood atop of the power rankings charts for virtually every publication. After taking a couple of rough weeks they have tapered off a little with tough losses on the road and a four game losing streak to teams they shouldn’t be losing to at all. Injuries took their toll on this team as well.

But now they have come back strong going into Chicago on a three game winning streak that shows no signs of slowing down. This is a team that knows how to win tight games and how to keep momentum on their side. It has reflected in some of the latest power rankings from across sports media.

CBS Sports still has the Hurricanes in the top 10 at number six and Yahoo Sports has then even higher at number five! Clearly this is a team that refuses to go away. While not perfect there are several players that are starting to show just how elite they are and how far they can help carry this team. Here is what these two had to say about the Carolina Hurricanes:

More from Cardiac Cane

• 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
• Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
• Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
• The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
• Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes

So how have the player ranking shifted since I last ranked them? You’ll be surprised if I told you that there was little movement at the top and a lot at the bottom of the ranks, but to be honest, this team has finally started playing to it’s proper skill level and the goals are starting to come in droves. This was an extremely difficult list to create. But it is worth the read.

There will be surprises along the way as you read through this list. This is a cumulative look at these players through the first quarter of the season. Who is underachieving, who is playing at full potential, and who is overachieving when it comes to their contributions on the ice. For the sake of fairness I am going to limit which players can appear on this list to those who have played at least 10 games.

That means that three players who have dressed for the Carolina Hurricanes; Jordan Martinook, Eetu Luostarinen, and Julien Gauthier, will be exempt from these power rankings. Will one or more of them appear in future player power rankings? Only time will tell.

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Carolina Hurricanes center Brian Gibbons (29) with the puck during the 3rd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New Jersey Devils on November 2nd, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Basement of the Team

Brian Gibbons’ stint with the team is most likely over. He played 11 games and was placed through waivers once Jordan Martinook made his fanfare return. During that time he did absolutely nothing but grind out whatever ice time he did have. While he played pretty decent defense, he did nothing to generate offense.

No goals, no assists in eleven games is simply not good enough to stay with the team. Not to say that he is terrible, but the team is better off without him on the roster.

Performance: 0-0-0 Underachiever

Trevor van Riemsdyk has come back from injury to supplement an already rich defensive core. The problem is that he didn’t do much once he got here other than perhaps take time away from the rookie Haydn Fleury. The only reason he is on this list today is because he drew back in against Minnesota on Saturday to mark his 10th game of the season leaving Fleury out in the wild.

Honestly it might be a good thing that he will be a UFA this offseason, perhaps there could be a solid return for him in the market even if it is just to make some cap space for Justin Williams.

Performance: 0-2-2 Underachiever

Jake Gardiner has gone a long ways from the first five weeks of the season that saw him start strong. Of the six players on this page he is one that I think will rebound the best and find himself ranked much higher on this team. This team needs to show some patience with him and let him develop his game. That said, he is absolutely trending in the wrong direction.

Good news is if he simply resets himself he can return to glory.

Performance: 1-5-6 Underachiever

Brock Mcginn is the Halley’s Comet of this team. He only shows up every 75 years, or in his case minutes of ice time, but when he does he burns bright and puts on a show. Unfortunately that isn’t very helpful to a team that is trying to compete in the hypercompetitive Metro Division. Stop teasing us with your brilliance and give us consistency!

He either needs to step up his game immensely or he might find himself on the chopping block if Carolina manages to secure another top nine forward.

Performance: 2-3-5 Underachiever

Cleanup in aisle 17! No seriously, bring a mop. Lucas Wallmark has been a mess recently after bringing some serious talent to the beginning of the season. Not unlike his partner in crime Brock McGinn, he shows flashes of excellence then disappears into the abyss and I actually completely forget that he is on the roster.

The good news for him is that with Erik Haula out of the lineup, Wallmark will get the chance to play with some bigger names and perhaps show everyone that he plays up to the talent around him.

Performance: 2-3-5 Underachieving

Oh baby flower, you are finally starting to bloom. Got your first NHL goal and soon enough you couldn’t stop scoring. Seriously though, Fleury has finally gotten some of that confidence he had in the AHL that helped him take the Charlotte Checkers all the way to an Calder Cup Championship. He is starting to show everyone why he was a first round pick.

The fact that he continues to be scratched in favor of TVR is a small crime. Perhaps he is better in small spurts, or perhaps Rod Brind’amour knows something none of us do. Whatever it is, all I know is that the more Fleury we have the better.

Performance: 2-2-4 At Potential

Midway Players

A strong defender with a wicked shot from the blue paint that can find the back of  the net.  Several years ago you would be thinking that I was speaking of Justin Faulk. Who would have guessed that it would be the man who came back as part of a trade package that involved a prospect in the return as well. Joel Edmundson has been an excellent surprise. 

But will he continue to surprise us?

Performance: 2-3-5 At Potential

Having Reimer on this list is breaking the one rule I set for it since he has only had eight starts for the Carolina Hurricanes. But he is a goaltender and they need not follow the rules. Just like he won’t be spending time in the penalty box, he won’t be sitting this list out. Although many Caniacs want him to be sitting out of most games.

Truth is, he is better than his record and is not playing to his full potential. His best games are still ahead of him.

Performance: 3-4-0, 3.07 GAA, 0.903 sv% Underachieving

I really wanted Pesce to be higher on this list, I really did. But he has pretty much disappeared after a stellar first 10 games of the season. Someone get his brother back into the arena to give him another brotherly lesson, Bradlee style. But seriously let’s do something for him, he has been non-existent on the ice.

But perhaps thats a good thing for a shutdown defender. But this team needs more offense, it always will, so he will fall below his defensive peers.

Performance: 2-5-7 Underachieving

While some guys are disappearing into the abyss Nino Niederreiter is one of the few that have finally started to appear from within it. Although he only has a pair of goals under his belt he is starting to benefit from a new linemates and a faster pace of play.  He is still overall underachieving but trending in the right direction.

Once again this is the part where we remind everyone that the trade was ONE FOR ONE.

Performance: 2-6-8 Underachieving

Early Season Statement Makers

Jordan Staal seems to not be on speaking terms with his barber. Which is a shame because his play continues to deteriorate as his hair grows like a reverse Samson. The Carolina Hurricanes captain has had some strong play on and off, but it is overshadowed by the fact that he just isn’t getting or creating the chances the he usually does.

The good news is that there have been others that have picked up his slack. The veteran is allowed to have on and off days.

Performance: 3-4-7 At Potential

Don’t look now but Warren Foegele is starting to become a legit top nine threat.

I said don’t look.

Fine, look but don’t touch because I am not sure where this is heading with the young winger. He has found a home on the top lines with Sebastian Aho or Jordan Staal.

Either way he seems flexible enough to make it work regardless of who he is with.

Performance: 3-5-8 At Potential

Jaccob Slavin, offensive threat. Wait. Did I type that correctly? Hold on a minute.

*Aggressively checks notes and does the math*

Well the math checks out. Jaccob Slavin is not only a master shutdown defenseman but also fifth on the team on shots taken. Second amongst defenders only to Dougie Hamilton.

Never thought I would be seeing this, but here we are.

Performance: 2-9-11 Overachieving

Earlier today the Carolina Hurricanes built a memorial and poured one out for Joel Edmundson’s stick he broke out in practice. They should have doubled down and poured one out for all the contributions on the ice that will be missed because of Haula’s absence. Erik Huala is unfortunately out indefinitely as he tries to figure out his knee issues. 

Performance: 8-3-11 A buttload of excellence

Before we talk about his performance, can we talk about the energy Ryan Dzingel brings to well, everything? I have never seen the man frown. He is the new Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes and the team should do everything to keep and protect this man. If you disagree with me you best be prepared to take a walk with me outside.

Difference between him and Skinner? He can also play defense. Okay, I’m done, but look at that goofy smile.

Performance: 4-10-14 At Potential

The Best of the Best

Remember when Sebastian Aho couldn’t buy a single NHL point let alone a goal? well now he is tied with two other players for most goals on the team. Funny enough they are the two other players on this page. I do not see him slowing down and by the time I get around to doing this power rankings again I fully expect him to be sitting higher than just third.

The Finnish phenom is starting to sputter into full gear. Honestly if it wasn’t for a goal that his best friend Teuvo stole from him, he would be sitting as most goals on the team.

Performance: 9-6-15 Underachieving

Is there anything this kid isn’t capable of? After scoring in the most gorgeous way to tie the game against Calgary he came back and won it too on the powerplay. He then proceeded to give a class to his teammates after practice. Every metric from last season has shot up for this kid. There just might not be a ceiling for him. 

Where we go from here is all on Andrei who is only a goal shy of being halfway to his total count from last season, Only a quarter of the way through. He can easily hit 40 or 50 goals this year.

Performance: 9-13-22 At Potential

It was a struggle to figure out who to put as my number one. I settled on Dougie Hamilton for one single reason, he is a defenseman. For a Defender to be tied in most goals and only a single assist away from doing the same there make him your best player. Add on most SOG and it’s a true argument. A positive 11 rating doesn’t hurt either.

And while he may not wear a letter he absolutely is a huge part of the Carolina Hurricanes locker room and the culture of winning that is being built there. Can’t wait to see where he will help lead this team to.

Performance: 9-13-22 Overachieving