The rip current that annually sucks the optimism out of the Carolina Hurricanes' sheltered bay came early this year.
As the hours until Friday's regular-season-opening game wind down, the 'Canes have been left near-shipwrecked and, in contrast with the freshness of the new season, already seeking to patch a plethora of holes.
Eighteen percent of the Hurricanes' total salary cap hit and 23 percent of last year's goal production already sits on the injured list.
Jordan Staal was injured in the team's second preseason game and will miss three to four months with a broken leg, and Jeff Skinner was injured in the team's seventh and final preseason and is out indefinitely with a concussion, his third in less than three years.
The long-term absences of two different top-six forwards deal a terribly timed punch to a Carolina offense still seeking to redefine its identity.
Skinner ranked 11th in the NHL with 33 goals last season, while Staal ranked fifth on the 'Canes in points and was employed as the team's most trusted defensive forward. Now, rookies like Victor Rask, Chris Terry and Patr ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Mark Jones
Turbulent Preseason Leaves Carolina Hurricanes Desperate for Success, Solutions
October 7th, 2014 by Mark Jones Leave a reply »
Advertisement