Metropolitan Division 2014-15 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes
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Best case scenarios for Eastern Conference teams
COACH
: Bill Peters
2013-2014 RECORD: 36-35-11, 83 points (seventh in Metropolitan, missed playoffs)
VITAL SIGNS: 9.5 goals per game (22nd), 2.8 goals-against per game (19th); 14.6 power play pct. (28th); 81.7 penalty kill pct. (17th); shootout record: 2-4 (25th)
NOTABLE ARRIVALS: C Brad Malone, C Jay McClement, D Tim Gleason
NOTABLE DEPARTURES: G Justin Peters, C Manny Malhotra
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
Forwards
Jiri Tlusty — Eric Staal — Alexander Semin
Jeff Skinner — Jordan Staal (injured) — Elias Lindholm
Nathan Gerbe — Riley Nash — Patrick Dwyer
Chris Terry — Jay McClement — Brad Malone
Defense
Andrej Sekera — Justin Faulk
Ron Hainsey — Ryan Murphy
Tim Gleason — John-Michael Liles
Goalies
Cam Ward
Anton Khudobin
Jordan Staal's injury a blessing in disguise for aimless Hurricanes
corps, but if the forwards fail to produce and Cam Ward does not rediscover his old Conn Smythe form, Carolina could be in for another long, dark winter.
• Who will replace Jordan Staal?
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jeff Skinner
With 33 goals in 71 games last season, Skinner returned to the form that won him the Calder Trophy for 2010-11. His eye for goals will be essential to keeping the Hurricanes in games when their other big-name forwards, Eric Staal and Semin, draw the attention of the opposing team’s top defensive players.
PREDICTION: 76 points (eighth in Metropolitan)
• Hurricanes cut 10 players from camp roster
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