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Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Carolina Hurricanes

By William Grigsby

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We are looking at all of the Arizona Coyotes foes and are heading to the South to see how the ‘Canes did against us and what this season looks like:

Today we look at: Carolina Hurricanes

2014-15 record: 30-41-11, 8th in the Metropolitan. Didn’t make the playoffs

How the Arizona Coyotes did against the Carolina Hurricanes:  2 games, 0-1-1

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes:  Sun 12/6 at Carolina, Sat 12/12 Home

More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Dylan Strome Making An Impression

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Notable additions: G Eddie Lack,  D James Wisniewski, D Noah Hanifin (if he makes roster)

Notable subtractions: RW Alexander Semin, D Brett Bellemore, RW Patrick Dwyer,  G Anton Khudobin

Coached by: Bill Peters (2nd season)

Who’s in Net:

The ‘Canes upgraded their goaltending when they traded picks to the Vancouver Canucks on draft day for Eddie Lack. They may be getting impatient with Cam Ward, or want a quality backup for him. The two will have a healthy competition for the starting job, which always makes a goalie perform better. Both are further motivated by the fact that they are in the final year of their contracts.

Quick thoughts about the Hurricanes:

  • Their power play did improve last season, but they were right down there with us in five-on-five goals, averaging just 2.23 goals a game. If you don’t improve that soon, you’ll be mired in the depths of the standings without much chance to improve.
  • Your owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is making waves about selling the team, but keeping his authority rule. Huh? Tell me how that works. There’s also rumors that this team may re-locate to Seattle to even up the conferences during expansion. What a great idea!
  • They’re not making any headway on signing their top players like Eric Staal. If he walks or gets traded, not sure if Seattle will even want you then.

Why the ‘Canes will win the Stanley Cup:

Even if Eddie Lack wins the Vezina (unlikely) they would have to really perform on all cylinders to even consider hoisting the Cup for some years to come.

Why the ‘Canes won’t win the Stanley Cup:

The goaltending may not be good enough for them to get anywhere. With Lack they may be marginally better, but not Cup worthy.

Three Things We Like About You:

  1. We like that you have trouble scoring, just like us, and that you have rumors of your franchise moving in the middle of night. Seattle does want a team. It won’t be so bad, you’ll like it except for all the rain, and coffee drinkers.
  2. That we’re not the only franchise with cheap ownership who won’t go out and spend money to attract better players.
  3. You were wise to take Noah Hanifin, since it looks like he will be on your regular roster. Strome more than likely will not. Plus we needed DEFENSE, not offense.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

  1. We’re totally jealous that you have a Cup and we don’t…yet. Also that you stole Ray Whitney away from us to be a scout, when we could have used his skill and humor in our organization.
  2. That you don’t value your franchise players by paying them to stay. Someday you might regret it, like maybe this season if you don’t sign them soon.
  3. That you were almost as bad as us, and we still couldn’t beat you last season. Maybe if you come to the Western Conference we will play you more often.

Prediction:

We can definitely understand your frustrations. When things start falling apart at the edges, it becomes a challenge to concentrate on winning again. We know that getting all the pieces back together again is not easy. Look at it this way… at least you had 15 more points than we did last season. Hang in there, things could get better.

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Looking Forward - Noah Hanifin

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