Carolina Hurricanes: 2010’s All Decade Team
As 2019 comes to a close and the start of a new decade just around the corner, lets look back at the best Carolina Hurricanes players to put on the sweater in the 2010’s.
The 2010’s were not kind to Carolina Hurricanes fans to put it mildly. There were many ups and downs along the way. In ten years, the boys in red, white, and black only made the playoffs to start off the decade and to end it as well, we got a new owner in Tom Dundon, and we even hosted the NHL All Star Game in 2011.
However through all the trials and tribulations, many great players have passed through the hallowed halls of PNC Arena. Some stayed for many years in the 2010’s, some only stayed for a short time, and some who mainly played in the 2000’s finished their careers.
Now after much research and thought , we created the all decade team for the Carolina Hurricanes. 12 forwards, 6 defenseman, 2 goalies, and we’ll even thrown in one head coach though the answer is pretty obvious.
To clarify, to qualify for the list a player must have played for the Carolina Hurricanes anytime from 2010 to 2019 and have made an impact to either the team or the fans.
Forwards
Eric Staal
Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2009 to 2016, Eric Staal spent so many great years inside PNC Arena. With over 909 games played, 322 goals, and 453 assists in a Hurricanes sweater, a sweater that will hang from the arena rafters when he does eventually retire.
Jordan Staal
The current captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Staal arrived in Raleigh after the Pittsburg Penguins traded him on his wedding day for Brandon Suttor in 2012. Nearing almost 500 games with the Hurricanes this decade, Staal has been a force to be reckoned with both in the face off circle and in front of the net. Even at this age he shows no signs of slowing down.
Teuvo Teravainen
Coming over to the Canes in 2016 from a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks that also included Bryan Bickell, Teuvo Teravainen is now a key part of the young core that is vital to the team’s future. Guys like him have been a huge but almost quiet part of explosive offenses.
Andrei Svechnikov
From the moment he was drafted second overall in the 2018 draft, Andrei Svechnikov was recognized as a future star not only for the Carolina Hurricanes, but for the entire NHL. The two lacrosse goals that he has scored this year alone gives him a spot on this list. That shows just how good this kid has been and also how abysmal this decade has been at times.
Jeff Skinner
Jeff Skinner was a bright light for Hurricanes fans in a very dark time. Spending 8 years for the boys in red from 2011-2018 and even earning an A near the end of his time with the team. He unfortunately never made it to the playoffs with the team then was traded to the Buffalo Sabers, a move that many fans still are a bit sour over.
Sebastian Aho
The current face of the franchise, Sebastian Aho has been a force for this franchise since day 1 back in 2016. There is a reason that when Tom Dundon took over the team he stated that the only player he would not trade is Aho. Didn’t stop fools from trying to offer-sheet for him, which in turn has made his last contract very team friendly considering his performance so far.
Justin Williams
The heart and soul of the 2018-2019 playoff team was their captain Justin Williams. After spending most of the decade in either Los Angles or in DC, Williams choose to come back to Raleigh because he saw something special, and then he created something special with the Storm Surge.
Patrick Dwyer
Playing mostly in the dark times of the decade, Patrick Dwyer is probably one of the most under rated players to put on a Hurricanes sweater. Playing in over 400 games and seven years all with the Hurricanes, Dwyer was a constant presence on the ice and to the fans. He was an EIHL champion with his Belfast team last year before retiring from the sport.
Elias Lindholm
Elias Lindholm was another one of the better Carolina Hurricanes players that never saw a playoff game in Raleigh. Drafted 5th overall by the Hurricanes in 2013, Lindholm was a young gun player who’s trade to the Calgary Flames is another bitter moment for some fans.
Brandon Sutter
Playing in Carolina from 2008-2012, Brandon Sutter was a part of the leadership core of the 2009 playoff run and Brind’Amore’s retirement. With 107 points, his future looked bright with the Canes until his shocking trade to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal. The rest, as they say, is history.
Jiri Tlusty
Another great player from the front half of the decade, Jiri Tlusty spent 6 years with the Carolina Hurricanes where he was a near 20 goal scorer every season. He was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 2015. Possibly the best Czech player for the Hurricanes. Martin Necas might change all that.
Brock McGinn
Some may not agree with my inclusion of Brock McGinn in this list, but listen to this. Brock has played for the Carolina Hurricanes since 2015 and in almost 300 games, he was drafted by the Canes in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, and even was the team enforcer for a few years regardless of his size. He gets on this list for his heroics last year against the Washington Capitals.
Defencemen
Jaccob Slavin
Jaccob Slavin is so good that sportschannel8 made a song about how good he is. He is probably the best pure defender in the franchise. Not something anyone should take lightly.
Tim Gleason
Tim Gleason was a main stay on the Carolina Hurricanes’ blue line for 9 years (2006-2014,2015)and 514 games. While he missed the 2006 cup season, he still helped the team reach the Conference Finals in 2009. Probably one of the biggest names in the team’s history.
Dougie Hamilton
Coming over in the Linholm and Hanifin trade, Dougie Hamilton is quickly become a fan favorite, a feat that is hard for defenseman to achieve. He is fast, has a laser shot, and is on fire this season. Teach me how to Dougie is no longer a dance, its a ballet of skates and goals.
Justin Faulk
Another former captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, Justin Faulk came to Raleigh in 2012, became an all-star, and then got to finally go to the playoffs last season, a feat that few Canes players that stuck with team in the 2010’s got to do. He was traded last off season to the St.Louis Blues as he tries to reinvent himself.
Noah Hanifin
Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015 (5th overall), Noah Hanifin was part of a young core of Defensemen that eventually became a dominant force in the NHL. Unfortunately, he left that group in 2018 when he was traded to Calgary for the previously mentioned Dougie Hamilton. His ceiling is still almost limitless.
Brett Pesce
Another defenseman that the Hurricanes drafted (2013, 3rd round) , Brett Pesce has developed into a solid force on the blue line working well with Slavin, Hamilton and others. The Tarrytown, NY native is probably the second best pure defender in franchise history and is slowly making his case for first.
Goalies/Head Coach
Cam Ward
For 13 years, he was between the pipes for the Carolina Hurricanes. He will be on every all time list for the Hurricanes for decades to come, and eventually Cam Ward‘s number 30 will hang in the PNC Arena rafters.
Petr Mrazek
He asked Don Waddell for a chance to prove that he is a starting goalie. Well, so far Petr Mrazek has proven it. Going beyond many people expectations, Mrazek took us back to the playoffs and looks to be the goalie of the future. He takes competition and runs with it. He lifts his teammates up and has helped turn his backups into dynamic duos. Can he help the team get to the Cup Finals?
Head Coach
Rod Brind’Amour
Former Canes captain, assistant coach for most of the decade, now he’s the head coach, and in his first year he lead us back to the playoffs. Stanley Cup Champion player that will soon be a Stanley Cup Champion Coach. ‘Nuff Said.
Honorable Mentions
Joni Pikinen
A great defenseman who’s playing days came to an end when on an icing race he broke he ankle on a wall collision.
Bryan Bickell
His time playing for the Hurricanes was cut short due to MS but he remains with the organization coming to the alumni game and other events. He finished his career on an incredible shootout to finish the season strong with a win. #BickellStrong.
Eddie Lack
Come on who didn’t like Eddie Lack. Whether it was his goalie play or his lacko tacos, Eddie has been a fan favorite for years. Scary injuries and mistreatment by former coaches may have played a hand in ending his stay with the Hurricanes prematurely.
Question for the CC Readers: Who makes your all decade team?
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