First, the United States and the Carolina Hurricanes. Let's preface this with the fact that the Hurricanes didn't completely crap all over themselves this off-season, with trading underachieving Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin for much needed toughness in Micheal Ferland, a proven scorer from the blue line in Dougie Hamilton, and a solid prospect in Adam Fox, plus hiring Rod Brind'Amour as head coach. So, how do they fall into the category of laughingstock? Prior to those moves, owner Tom Dundon has been on record as wanting to have the lower bowl filled to the point of not selling upper level tickets, which still hasn't helped their attendance problem. Also, remember when Dundon was on record as saying everyone except Sebastian Aho was on the trading block? Yesterday, he showed that he wasn't kidding, as Jeff Skinner was traded to Buffalo for Cliff Pu, and three draft picks. None of those draft picks were in the first round, and getting a second, third, and sixth round pick in 2019 and 2020 total isn't exactly the haul that the Hurricanes hoped for. It isn't helping that the only player to come the other way is a guy who isn't likely to help in the immediate future.
Now, on to Canada and their version of the clownshow. That's right, everyone's favorite soap opera, the Ottawa Senators. You already know about the Mike Hoffman/Erik Karlson saga, or more specifically, their significant others, and you already know about avaricious owner Eugene Melnyk and the many ways in which he trashes the city of Ottawa. Well, he's at it again, as they may no longer have two star players gone by the end of the season; they may have three players gone by the end of next season. Erik Karlsson and Matt Duchene can leave after the season, but now, Mark Stone, who could have left right now, just signed a new deal. The catch? It's only one year, which means he too, can leave after next season. I haven't even talked about the on-ice product, and if Craig Anderson doesn't find his 2016-17 form, the Senators are screwed. They may win the draft lottery...for Colorado, who if you remember, has the Senators' first round pick in 2019 thanks to the deal for Duchene. Oh, and they don't have anyone in the pipeline in goal if Anderson doesn't rediscover form.
Who says the NHL off-season isn't full of comedy? The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators are proof that you can actually laugh at others' misery...or if you're a fan of either one, a source of income for the therapist.
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