The drama of sports is often seen in the more popular platforms in the United States, like the NBA and NFL. Hockey usually takes a back seat when it comes to the excitement of gossip and trash talk amongst the league, but that doesn’t mean teams can’t have heart-pounding story lines to follow throughout the season.
The Carolina Hurricanes have already gone through a multitude of changes this offseason, setting up 2017 with anticipation and curiosity. With young players come the plights of young mistakes, something Carolina knows all too well. With a roster brimming with youngsters, it is hard to exactly pinpoint how good, or bad, the Hurricanes could be this season.
There will be many players and themes to follow throughout the season, so here are three that will be worth your time.
The growth (or growth stunt) of Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho was arguably the biggest success for the Hurricanes last season. He was quietly among the top of the 2016 rookie class and was the spark plug that shocked Carolina into playoff contention.
Aho finished the season in high-profile fashion, recording 24 goals and 25 assists in his rookie debut. Amongst all rookies, he ranked third in goals, ninth in assists, fifth in points (49), and fifth in power-play points (17). He finished in the top 10 in almost every major statistical category along with newbie sensation Auston Matthews.
These stats look promising and seem to prime this upcoming season for success. However, the following act is always tougher than the opening act. Aho has the pressure of being a star player now as management and the fans expect a lot out of him. Hopefully, he can handle the pressure and produce these kinds of numbers again. At just 20 years old, it is hard to foresee how well the second-year forward will play.
The development of Bill Peters’ system
Much like the Philadelphia 76’ers, the Hurricanes have elected to build their team through the draft, creating a roster of young players that all are part of the process.
Head coach Bill Peters has stuck to this system and started to finally reap the benefits with the success of players like Sebastian Aho and Elias Lindholm this past season. The Hurricanes had another busy draft this offseason, holding eight picks. Almost every player in the Canes respective starting rotation is returning this season, giving Peters and staff ample room to designate these picks to the minor league to develop them, rather than rushing them into a starting role in the NHL.
In addition, Peters displayed another trait of his by only drafting one American born player. The other spots were filled with three Canadians, three Finns, and one Czech. It is no secret Peters likes to go abroad when drafting and this international affair seems to be working. Some of the best players on the team last year were Canadian and Swedish.
Peters has his method down and the whole organization seems to be on board. With a wealth of talent and a better idea of what needs to be accomplished, the man from Alberta may prove his worth in his fourth season running the show.
New face in between the pipes
Cam Ward has been the household name in the Carolinas for as long many fans can remember, helping the club to their only Stanley Cup. However, with Ward on the back nine of his career, a younger and better option at goalie was needed and it came in the form of 28-year-old Scott Darling.
Darling has spent his NHL career backing up Corey Crawford in Chicago, getting minutes in the playoffs and earning a ring. In three seasons he posted a .923 save percentage and only allowed 2.37 goals per game. Many argue his talent exceeded that of Crawford, making the acquisition that much sweeter for Carolina.
Every fans’ hope is that he will fit right in and stop shots from the get go. but Darling may need some time to ease into the starting role and he may very well play poorly at the beginning of the season. The adjustment can be a lot tougher than people imagine and no one really knows what he can do just yet. Luckily, Ward has plenty of experience and advice to lend from the bench and his veteran prowess should help Darling with his progression.
The pressure to play well in a stadium full of fans is another element that adds stress to the starting role, something that the former Blackhawk surely knows all about. The fan base in Raleigh will likely be refreshing for Darling, as Hurricanes fans don’t expect near as much excellence as the tried and true hockey fans in Chicago. The change of scenery, mixed with some southern hospitality, should help him feel right at home in his new community.