Now that the dust has somewhat settled, and the Florida Panthers swept through the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, there are some big questions for the Canes organization, moving forward into the off season and what will happen next. The organization itself is top notch (on and off the ice) and has been making the playoffs since the 2018/19 season, and often gone deep. But they simply haven’t been able to return to the Stanley Cup Final, since their championship in 2006 against the Edmonton Oilers. The big stat is that they have now been swept 3 times in the Eastern Conference final by three different teams (Boston Bruins in 2018/2019, Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008/2009 and now in the Florida series).
More specifically, in the Florida series, two of those losses came in overtime (one that was the 6th longest in the history of the game). The other loss came last night, with 4.3 seconds remaining in the 3rd period, when Matthew Tkachuk was left open in the inner slot and nabbed his third OT winner (putting himself in the conversation for the Conn Smythe). Those are all close games, but you still need more scoring from your top guys and you need to be able to put the puck in the net. Missing Max Pacioretty was a big loss for the Canes, and so was not having Teuvo Teravainen in the previous two series (making it a big order for him, and only having 1 goal in the series), although he played very well in the series (defensively responsible).
Now that is not to say their team needs to blow it up and change it drastically as they have some elite talent: Sebastian Aho, Brett Burns, Jaccob Slavin, and Jordan Martinook (amongst others). But they needed more. Throughout the series, the Hurricanes created more expected goals, and high-danger scoring chances than the Panthers. Unfortunately for Carolina, it wasn’t enough, because Sergei Bobrovsky played like a brick wall (with a .969, .974, 1.00 and .923SV%). That’s just unreal, and it’s why Bob is seen as the first Conn Smythe winner.
Therefore, both Tom Dundon (owner) and the organization have some big decisions to make this off-season. They have a lot of UFA’s; their captain Jordan Staal, Paul Stastny, Jesse Puljujärvi, Shayne Gostisbehere and of course their goalie tandem of Freddy Anderson (who is now 33) and Antti Raanta. Both goalies played really well but as we know from history with the Canes, they often look for reclamation projects and change their goaltending often, as Dunden doesn’t overpay many players (goalies included). They have a budget and they stick with that and it pays off for them. So will they go for someone like Tristan Jarry (out of Pittsburgh, who needs a new contract), Cam Talbot, out of Ottawa, or even Johnathan Bernier. Or will they make a big splash and try to go for someone like Connor Hellebuyck, who is on his final year of his contract and looking at winning a Cup given his age, and the uncertainty in Winnipeg. Time will tell.
The other concern for the Canes is what they will focus on drafting in the NHL draft (defense, goaltending, centers), given the news that their contract with their AHL affiliate the Chicago Wolves is ending, and they are becoming the first independent AHL team since 1994-95. (something the NHL isn’t a fan of). Although this is a bigger story that we will be closely tracking here at Two Guys & Hockey Talk, I wonder what that will do for the Canes organization and where they can send their prospects to. They do have their 1st and 2nd round picks this year, but you also need a place for those young players to develop, especially if you want to bring them up midway through the season due to player injury.
Again, lots to figure out for the Carolina Hurricanes organization, but I trust Tom Dundon and the management team to address many of these concerns. With that being said, I can see the Canes team back in contention again next season under the leadership and coaching of Rob Brind’amour, competing for division leaders, against New Jersey and Rangers (although you can’t discount teams like Islanders and Pittsburgh if they make drastic changes in the off-season).
Either way it will be exciting to watch, as we believe it should be a whirlwind of a season.
Pawel ‘The Cat’
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