Going for it all can be glorius or a massive disaster. The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves on the verge of the latter. Carolina has been a strong competitor for the Stanley Cup the last few seasons but improved the club in the off-season and at the NHL trade deadline. The playoffs started well with a 5 game series victory against the New York Islanders. Things can change quickly this time of year.
The New York Rangers outlasted the Canes during the regular season and swept the Washington Capitals in the first round. Three games into the series with the Canes, the Rangers have a choke hold of the series with a 3-0 lead.
Facing a tall task to come back and win not only this series but the Stanley Cup, it is hard to not think about the players that could be playing their final game as a member of the Hurricanes organization. Some players have had longer tenures in Raleigh than others but this group of players have provided some special memories.
In the salary cap era of sports, it is difficult to go "all in" without leaving a financial mess the following seasons. The Canes 8 unrestricted free agents this summer with 3 extremely important restricted free agents that will most certainly earn a significant pay raise.
The likes of Brady Skjei, Stefan Noesen, and Teuvo Teravainen have become fan favorites in Raleigh but it could be very likely all three will not return next fall. Newcomer, Jake Guentzel could be ending a very short stint in Carolina if this does end.
Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis are the present and future of this organization and will command that type of money this summer. These two are the priority this off-season no matter what happens in the playoffs.
This was the path that had to be taken to make a legitimate run at the cup but facing elimination this early in the playoffs makes you nostalgic. Either way, caniacs will give the players all they have to keep this series alive, while thanking them for what has been accomplished thus far.