Just Who Are These Carolina Hurricanes?

Fixing the Inconsistency

Pointing out problems is easy; correcting them takes real talent.  Unfortunately, I don’t have that talent but I do have a few ideas that are at least fun to consider.

I’ll save my favorite for last.

The first idea is an obvious one: ride the hot goalie.  Yeah, I know, neither goaltender has been lights out this year but they haven’t been awful for stretches.  Let one get on a positive streak and build on it.  If there’s a loss but the starter still played well come back with him in the next game.

I know the Hurricanes are built on a 1a-1b template, but no harm can come from this.  If a guy struggles rotate to his platoon mate.  Reimer seems to be a solid teammate and we all know how ambitious Mrazek is.  Let them build a little friendly competition and push each other.

The second idea gets a bit murkier, given the logistics involved.  What is this cryptic thought?  Make a trade.  I’m not going to get into who they could go after or who they could move, otherwise, this piece will be longer than my last novel.  What I will say is that a solid “hockey trade” could provide the shakeup that this team needs to escape stagnation.

I’m not a proponent of making a trade just to do so but, if the right fit can be found, it could have a huge impact on the remainder of the season.  As we inch closer to the trade deadline, I’m very curious to see how things play out.

Now comes my favorite, the idea that could pay instant dividends.

Then again, it may not.

Mix.  Up.  The.  Lines.

Here you have two competing mindsets: one says that if something isn’t working, you change it; the other says to let it work itself out.  Neither is inherently wrong (or right), but one thing that cannot be denied is that something has to change.

The Hurricanes don’t have the greatest forward depth in the league, but it’s still very, very good.  There is more than enough talent to assemble 4 lines that all carry a legitimate offensive threat.  The overall mechanics (speed, stifling forecheck) don’t change but the pieces move around.  Seriously, take 5 minutes and sketch out a few line combinations and tell me there aren’t exciting possibilities.

The Carolina Hurricanes need to find their game consistently or the hopes of consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 2002 (!!!) are going to go up in smoke.

What are your thoughts on the 2019-20 Carolina Hurricanes so far?  What change(s) do you want to see?  Drop a comment and let me know!