Carolina Hurricanes 2014-15 Season Preview

Apr 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) receives congratulations from defenseman John-Michael Liles (26) and center Andrei Loktionov (8) after the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Carolina won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

CAROLINA HURRICANES

2013-14 RECAP

The Hurricanes struggled through a tough 2013-14 season, that saw a big transition in between the pipes to go along with the transition from the old South Least division to the much more competitive Metropolitan division. They finished 10 points out of the final wild card spot, and in 7th place in the division.

Apr 3, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tim Gleason (8) passes the puck against the Boston Bruins at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Boston 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

CHANGES

IN – Jay McClement, Tim Gleason

OUT-  Andrei Loktionov, Drayson Bowman, Radek Dvorak, Mike Komisarek, Joni Pitkanen

With McClement as the club’s big off-season acquisition, there might not be much reason for optimism.  However, with the veterans they allowed to walk away that were pretty much just taking up space, it will give a chance for the Canes prospects to get much needed ice time and a chance to mature.  You have to wonder about the team taking so many Maple Leafs castoffs though.

Mar 31, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goalie

(30) is unable to stop a shot against the Ottawa Senators in a shootout at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

3 BIG QUESTIONS

 1.  Is Cam Ward finished? – The main reason the Canes have a Stanley Cup banner has recently fallen out of favor in Carolina and as a result he was being shopped around the league, but apparently there were no takers.  With Anton Khudobin ready to assume a starter role, Ward will be an expensive ($6.3M) backup.  Ward did suffer through injuries once again, but simply wasn’t very good when he did play.

2.  Will The Hurricanes ever get value for the money? – The Canes have one of the more expensive non-playoff teams.  Top end salaries to the 4 S’s – Eric Staal, Jordan Stall, Alexander Semin and Jeff Skinner – take a huge of Cap space and aren’t performing to expectations needed for the club to be a playoff contender

3.  Are the changes at the top enough? – The Canes cleaned house in the front office and behind the bench.  Ron Francis is a rookie GM and Bill Peters is a rookie NHL head coach.  Is that the right situation to bring a new guard to such an underachieving club?