2016-17 record: 36-31-15 (87 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA
The good news for the Carolina Hurricanes is that they're building a very good team stocked with defensive prospects. The bad news is almost everything else, as they still didn't have enough offense to overcome their deficiencies in goal and that was reflected in the fact that they finished dead last in attendance. It should be noted that General Manager Ron Francis and coach Bill Peters are making the most of the hand they are dealt, and while it's resulted in a pipeline that is rich in talent, there hasn't been a top player that can put the team on their shoulders, though that too, is being resolved slowly.
Offensively, they could use some help scoring, as only Jeff Skinner and Sebastian Aho broke the 20-goal barrier, with Skinner almost hitting 40 goals. Down the middle is where things get dicey, as Jordan Staal is better suited to centering the second line while Victor Rask didn't take the step the Hurricanes hoped he would take. Getting increased production from Teuvo Teravainen would help, but it appears that Elias Lindholm may have hit his ceiling. From the time Francis took over as General Manager, one of his missions was to improve a blue line that had been short on homegrown talent. Consider that done, as Justin Faulk, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, and Noah Hanifin are all regular contributors, and all still have room to grow. Adding Trevor van Riemsdyk in a trade secures part of the third pairing, but there will be competition to be his partner, as no less than three players are in the running. Goaltending was a major issue, and with no imminent help in the pipeline, that was why they went out and got Scott Darling from Chicago. This will be his first time as full-time starter for an NHL team, so it remains to be seen how well he can handle that pressure. Cam Ward remains, though as a backup.
Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division
Carolina badly needs to make the playoffs if they hope to see some semblance of a spike in attendance numbers. At worst, the Hurricanes have improved in most areas, while at best, they may just become the playoff team that they've wanted to be since the rebuild. It's been painful for them, but the light at the end of the tunnel may be fast approaching.
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