Carolina Hurricanes: Predictions for the New Year
2019 consisted of some highs and some lows for the Carolina Hurricanes. The year was also a major turning point for the organization as well. Looking ahead to 2020, what could the new year hold for them?
2019 began with the Carolina Hurricanes in second to last place in the NHL, and that familiar sense of disappointment fell over the fan base as it had for the past decade. But then something changed. The team started winning, and with that came a renewed sense of excitement from the fans.
This continued to grow and grow as last season went on. More fans started coming to games at PNC Arena as the season continued. The storm surge became a viral phenomenon, despite the backlash from traditionalist boomers. All this coupled with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals made the first half of the year one to remember. But the Hurricanes weren’t done yet.
The offseason saw a failed offer sheet handed to Sebastian Aho by the Montreal Canadiens, as well as the acquisitions of Ryan Dzingel, Erik Haula, Jake Gardiner, James Reimer, and big daddy Joel Edmundson (Fox Sports came up with that nickname not me). Sadly, it also saw the departures of Justin Faulk, Curtis McElhinney, and Justin Williams.
Then the season began with the Hurricanes on top of the NHL, and despite a few bumps in the road, the Carolina Hurricanes are poised to begin the New Year, and decade, as one of the Top 10 teams in the NHL.
But enough talk about the past. Lets look ahead to what the New Year could potentially have in store for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Dougie Shines at the All Star Game
The NHL All Star Game is right around the corner, and Dougie Hamilton will represent the Carolina Hurricanes at the event. Dougie has had a stellar season so far; at the time of writing, he has recorded 36 points over 39 games. He is continuing to make his case for being the recipient of the Norris trophy for the 2019-2020 season.
I see Dougie going out there and giving it everything he’s got in a few more weeks. Not that he doesn’t already of course. The entire NHL will be watching. I see him continuing to want to prove all his detractors wrong in his first All Star Game appearance. Those that gave him crap in Boston and Calgary especially.
However, Dougie may not be the only Hurricane going to St. Louis. Teuvo Teravinen is currently up for the ‘last man in’ spot, and could very well see himself lacing up his skates should the fans come out and vote for him on New Years Day.
If the playoffs were to start today, the Carolina Hurricanes would be in. But will they find themselves continuing to skate in the spring, or will they we lacing up their golf shoes instead?
Another Stanley Cup Playoff Run
As of right now, the Hurricanes sit in the second wild card spot behind the Philadelphia Flyers. The Metropolitan division is extremely tight this season, and every game counts. Before their loss to Toronto, the Hurricanes were in third in the division, and look what happened.
However, they are continuing to close the gap on the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins, and could see themselves in second place in the Metro before we know it.
I see Rod and the team really buckling down and not making as many careless mistakes. Rod has already shown he is willing to make changes in his lineups as he did with the game against the Washington Capitals and tonight’s’ game against the Canadiens.
Barring no more injuries, I see the team becoming more tight-knit than ever. These guys are hungry to win, and filled to the brim with young talent that got so close to the promised land last year, as well as guys that have hoisted the Cup before. The road won’t be easy, but don’t count them out. Could we see them raise another championship banner in the PNC Arena? We’ll have to wait and see.
Offseason Moves
Several contracts are coming to an end after this season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Warren Foegele,Lucas Wallmark, and Haydn Fleury will all be restricted free agents; Erik Haula, Joel Edmundson, and Trevor van Reimsdyk are all unrestricted free agents.
The Hurricanes will be free of Patrick Marleau and Justin Faulk’s contracts after this season as well, so they will have a bit more wiggle room with their cap space. But, as nice as it would be to see all of these guys return, realistically, it probably won’t happen.
We could probably even see some trades before the season ends should it be apparent that a player won’t return. Might as well get something for them rather than end up empty handed. The most talked about players being moved at the deadline at the moment are TVR or Fleury, but we will have to wait and see how that develops.
Once the re-signing period begins, I see it being a case of ‘what have you done for me lately?’ Whoever made the most noise towards the end of the season and in the playoffs will probably get re-signed first. You can’t count out the Hurricanes signing someone entirely new either.
Now about that outdoor game…
More News on a Potential Outdoor Game for the Hurricanes
The NHL has scouted out Carter Finley Stadium multiple times now. With the rise in the number of outdoor games being held, we could likely see more information come out in 2020 about the Hurricanes potentially hosting one of these games.
Tom Dundon has already gotten the green-light to do some major renovations to the PNC Arena. These, while much-needed, could very well be in an effort to entice the NHL to have an outdoor game in Raleigh. The PNC Arena is literally a stones throw from Carter Finley Stadium, after all.
The state of North Carolina also recently passed a new law allowing the sale of beer at college stadiums, so it was pretty much a guarantee that the Carolina Hurricanes organization was going to make a move to host one of these high-profile games. The team is on the rise, so it would be foolish of the NHL not to have them in the mix.
2020 is poised to see the Carolina Hurricanes continue their success of 2019, but only time will tell what will happen. For all we know, none of these predictions could happen. Or all of them could. We just don’t know. All we can hope for is that the NHL will take warning because the Carolina Hurricanes are here to stay.
Next. Dougie Hamilton named to All Star game. dark
Question for CC readers: What do you think 2020 has in store for the Hurricanes?