Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lineup and Salary Cap Situation

Jan 31, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the St. Louis Blues at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Part two of our preview of the Carolina Hurricanes looks at a projected lineup as well as their salary cap situation.

FORWARDS

Alexander Semin – Eric Staal – Jeff Skinner

Jiri Tlusty – Jordan Staal – Nathan Gerbe

Zach Boychuk – Elias Lindholm – Riley Nash

Patrick Dwyer – Jay McClement –  Brad Malone

The Hurricanes might have the most top-heavy roster in terms of salary, with only one other team (San Jose) having 4 forwards making more than $5.725M per season like Semin, Skinner and the Staal brothers are.  In fact, the foursome account for almost 29M of the $36M for that is destined for the forward ranks.  The problem is the lack of production from that group that might make them the most underacheiving foursome in the league. At least the Sharks top 4 carried them into the playoffs (even if they are a consistent let-down once they get there).

Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Radek Dvorak (18) and defenseman Andrej Sekera (4) congratulate defenseman Justin Faulk (center) after Faulk scored an unassisted goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSE

Justin Faulk – John-Michael Liles

Ron Hainsey – Andrej Sekera

Tim Gleason – Ryan Murphy

EXTRAS: Jay Harrison – Brett Bellemore

When your blue line consists of 3 Maple Leaf rejects you might be in trouble.  Liles, Gleason and Harrison are all former Leafs who couldn’t fit, although Gleason was more of his preference than the Leafs.   It is largely a non-descript group with Faulk being the anchor and Murphy probably destined for that power play specialist role that Marc-Andre Bergeron made a living as.  The 8 of them account for just under $18.5M in cap commitment.

Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Anton Khudobin (31) covers the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Carolina Hurricanes won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

GOALTENDERS

Anton Khudobin

Cam Ward

Ward was dreadful last season and injuries seem to be starting to catch up with him to the point that he will start the season as the backup to Khudobin, who was the better goalie last season after coming over from the Bruins.  Ward’s $6.3M cap hit is a tough one to plant on the bench if he can’t recover his form.