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The Carolina Hurricanes shocked the NHL with a 38-win season and a playoff showdown with the New Jersey Devils. Now the challenge for GM Jim Rutherford and coach Paul Maurice is repeating last year's magic. So far the lone major roster addition has been left winger Chris Dingman, who comes to Carolina from the Colorado Avalanche. Will Carolina continue to add bodies or fall victim to the small market curse?
Here are your thoughts on what the 'Canes need for next season:
While 'Canes wait, big names slip on by
The 'Canes showed some undersized grit against the Devils, but thus far, only the addition of Dingman demonstrates a commitment to getting bigger and tougher. While GM Jim Rutherford's style is to draft well and sign free agents late in the game, we Hurricanes' fans have to sit and watch John LeClair, Pierre Turgeon, and Doug Weight either re-sign or quickly move to new clubs. I would have loved to see LeClair or Weight in red and black.
Scott
Raleigh, N.C.
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Let the Rangers, Stars, Flyers and Avs spend money on and provide long-term contracts to aging players who continue to diminish. I prefer the youth movement. ” |
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— Morte, Wake Forest, N.C. |
Young depth helps 'Canes
The Canes really could have used a scoring free agent, but with the development of Jeff O'Neill, "Big Jo" Vasicek, and Shane Willis, I think that we will be in pretty good shape. Some new young players like Eric Cole and Craig Adams should make a nice splash as well for the 'Canes. Rob DiMaio and David Karpa are no big loss, and Kevin Hatcher will do us more good on another team. Arturs Irbe could use a suitable backup, and I think that Jean-Marc Pelletier will fill that role nicely. I think that the Canes are looking pretty good for the 2001-02 season.
Scott
Wilmington, N.C.
Youth movement serves Carolina well
Finally it seems that this franchise has adopted a philosophy ("building around a core of young talent") and is sticking to it. I am happy that the 'Canes have opted out of this year's UFA debacle. This franchise just needs time, intelligent draft choices and continued frugal fiscal decisions to come out a perpetual winner in the not-too-distant future. Let the Rangers, Stars, Flyers and Avs spend money on and provide long-term contracts to aging players who continue to diminish. I prefer the youth movement.
Morte
Wake Forest, N.C.
Top-heavy offense will hurt Carolina
The Carolina Hurricanes will have a hard time matching or surpassing their point total in the 2001-2002 season. Carolina's lack of offense is the main problem. Jeff O'Neill led the team in scoring with 41 goals and 26 assists. After O'Neill, the goal scoring really drops off -- Martin Gelinas' 23 were second on the team. The 'Canes don't have the money to go out and buy offense off the free agent market (Brett Hull would be a nice addition), so they are going to have to go with young talent, mainly Shane Willis. Carolina is very thin on defense as well. They have two pretty good offensive defensemen in Sandis Ozolinsh and David Tanabe, but lack a big, tough, physical defenseman (Adam Foote, Derian Hatcher, etc.) who can punish the other team's best players. In goal, Carolina has a solid No. 1 goalie in Arturs Irbe. But Irbe usually wears down towards the end of the season because the 'Canes don't have anyone who can play between 20 and 25 games and still give them a chance to win.
Jay
Mentor, Ohio
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They got lucky last year. Without Arturs Irbe, they would have been toast. ” |
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— Jay, Bellingham, Wash. |
Playoff return up to able Irbe
The Carolina Hurricanes have two of the most underappreciated players, goalie Arturs Irbe and right winger Jeff O'Neill, who really came into their own last year. David Tanabe has been a solid young defensemen and is offensively gifted. The head case Sandis Ozolinsh is a gamble Carolina may payoff with, but it all comes down to goaltending, and Irbe is more than capable of carrying a team back to the playoffs.
Brice
Roswell, Ga.
Canes' should nab a big name
All the talk in the league revolves around superstars like Jaromir Jagr and Eric Lindros being traded. The destinations mentioned are always the same -- the Rangers, Kings, Stars, etc. I cannot see why the Canes are not interested in either of them, especially Jagr. 1) He would attract fans, which they lack. 2) He would give the organization credibility, which it also lacks. 3) He would make Carolina a better team, especially playing with old line mate Ron Francis an offensive defenseman like Ozolinsh. I am sure Carolina would have the picks and prospects that the Penguins would be looking for in return.
Jeff
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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It all comes down to goaltending, and Irbe is more than capable of carrying a team back to the playoffs. ” |
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— Brice, Roswell, Ga. |
'Canes luck will run out
I can not see the 'Canes making the playoffs again. They got lucky last year. Without Arturs Irbe, they would have been toast. Next year will be even more difficult for the bottom teams in the Eastern Conference. Boston should have Byron Dafoe all year, Tampa has Nikolai Khabibulin and now Florida has the Bure brothers. Unless the 'Canes make some moves, such as trading Sandis Ozolinsh and Ron Francis, I don't see them in the playoffs.
Jay
Bellingham, Wash.
Several missing pieces left for Carolina
Depth in scoring has to improve for Carolina. Jeff O'Neill and Rod Brind'Amour can't do it alone. Also, hemmorhaging money like this team does will not help. A second goaltender is certainly needed (did someone say Chris Osgood?) and one more veteran offensive defenseman. Then some solidifying steps will have been made. The core of this team is generally good, as is the heart factor. Nonetheless, going up against the larger-market teams will continue to be a problem for a while.
Thomas
New Orleans
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