Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes: Stay or Go; UFA Edition

By Alex Ohari

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 25: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes has words for the official during the second period of a game against the Dallas Stars at PNC Arena on February 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 25: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes has words for the official during the second period of a game against the Dallas Stars at PNC Arena on February 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Justin Williams

We’ll get Justin Williams out of the way first, because it seems like the team’s decision on him will probably be the easiest. The decision will likely be in Justin’s hands – will he elect to attempt a repeat of what he did this season, or will he walk away into retirement?

First of all, Justin Williams will have to make that decision for himself (I don’t think there’s any chance he plays a full season again) and then the Carolina Hurricanes, should Williams decide he’d want to come back, will have the ultimate option as to whether they’d want to bring him back into the fold or not.

It may seem like a no-brainer due to Williams’ leadership and the fact that he’s still quite effective (8 goals in 20 games since his return to the team!) but the Hurricanes roster has experienced dramatic turnover since Don Waddell was appointed GM, and it’s safe to assume the roster could look much different next winter.

Because of that, it’s quite possible that Carolina could have factors that prevent a Williams return. Whether it be a full line-up that they don’t want to alter, or a potential role, the possibility that Carolina doesn’t want to uproot their roster with a mid-season addition again is certainly possible.

All things considered, though, I don’t think that would be a problem; I personally feel the team would welcome Williams with open arms again, should he decide he has enough to offer the team and make a return again at age 39.

Regardless, the choice will come down to both Williams and the Carolina Hurricanes, which makes his FA status almost a moot point.

Stay or Go: Await Decision

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