SlapShots
Well-known member
Can't get over where we are from where we started. I keep reflecting on where we started and where we are this morning!
No one on this board predicted the Hurricanes would be a playoff team this season. No one! (I stand corrected-- see comments below!)
https://www.forumice.com/showthread.php?65825-Lightweight-Predictions-for-2018-19-Season
Yet here we are. We have just defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions in the third longest game 7 in NHL history. In less than 48 hours, the Carolina Hurricanes will be taking on their division rival, New York Islanders.
I just can't keep reflecting on the anxieties and frustrations entering the season. Ron Francis had been relieved of his duties. Bill Peters exercised his option to leave his coaching job. Steve Smith ask to let out of his contract to go to Buffalo. The coach and GM search were looking like epic failures. Legitimate GM candidates were steering clear of the organization and Dundon's ideas. Radio talking heads, near and far, were treating the GM search as fodder. Don Waddel was named GM much to the angst and chagrin of many. The coaching hire was a fan favorite, but the inexperienced Rod Brind'Amour was not what many wanted. We even watched as HoF radio voice Chuck Kaiton left his gig with the team. It looked like a sinking ship and things were going to be worse than better.
Then, more things started happening. Justin Williams was named as Captain-- a guy in the mold of his coach with a track record to prove it. We also traded away pieces-- Lindholm, Hanafin, and Skinner. We brought in Martinook, Ferland and Hamilton. Then the Canes dipped their toe in free agency and picked up Calvin deHaan. What a stealth pick up! The Hurricanes also had a great piece of luck when the balls bounced our way-- getting the 2nd overall pick in the NHL entry level draft. Welcome Andrei Svechnikov!
Goaltending was the big question mark. I certainly wasn't thrilled entering the season with Mrazek and Darling. We also entered the season with an underwhelming center corps in Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Martin Necas and Victor Rask as our centers. Not the depth that anyone wants down the middle. We also were starting rookies-- Necas, Wallmark, Foegele, and Svechnikov. Talented, but not threatening in the landscape of the NHL. we still were weak and in need of a #1 center and a scoring winger. We then had a rotating center position when Rask sliced open his hand, relying on Bishop and Roy until the coaches settled on McKegg.
Waddell then made another move that proved to be highway robbery-- Niederreitter for Rask! A guy with hands and size and speed for the frequently missing and invisible, Victor Rask.
The other big mid-season (correction-- we picked up McIlhenney in early October) move was the acquisition of McIlhenny on waivers. Goaltending was finally solidified and the Darling experiment was finally put to rest. Thank you, Toronto!
The team also did everything to engage the fans. What started off as a skul clap ended up being The Surge. We were exciting. It was fun. We were a Bunch of Jerks.
I truly thought we'd be out in Round 1. We are a character team. We have a coach guys are willing to go through wall for. We have talent. We are in the playoffs. There's something special here.
No one on this board predicted the Hurricanes would be a playoff team this season. No one! (I stand corrected-- see comments below!)
https://www.forumice.com/showthread.php?65825-Lightweight-Predictions-for-2018-19-Season
Yet here we are. We have just defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions in the third longest game 7 in NHL history. In less than 48 hours, the Carolina Hurricanes will be taking on their division rival, New York Islanders.
I just can't keep reflecting on the anxieties and frustrations entering the season. Ron Francis had been relieved of his duties. Bill Peters exercised his option to leave his coaching job. Steve Smith ask to let out of his contract to go to Buffalo. The coach and GM search were looking like epic failures. Legitimate GM candidates were steering clear of the organization and Dundon's ideas. Radio talking heads, near and far, were treating the GM search as fodder. Don Waddel was named GM much to the angst and chagrin of many. The coaching hire was a fan favorite, but the inexperienced Rod Brind'Amour was not what many wanted. We even watched as HoF radio voice Chuck Kaiton left his gig with the team. It looked like a sinking ship and things were going to be worse than better.
Then, more things started happening. Justin Williams was named as Captain-- a guy in the mold of his coach with a track record to prove it. We also traded away pieces-- Lindholm, Hanafin, and Skinner. We brought in Martinook, Ferland and Hamilton. Then the Canes dipped their toe in free agency and picked up Calvin deHaan. What a stealth pick up! The Hurricanes also had a great piece of luck when the balls bounced our way-- getting the 2nd overall pick in the NHL entry level draft. Welcome Andrei Svechnikov!
Goaltending was the big question mark. I certainly wasn't thrilled entering the season with Mrazek and Darling. We also entered the season with an underwhelming center corps in Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Martin Necas and Victor Rask as our centers. Not the depth that anyone wants down the middle. We also were starting rookies-- Necas, Wallmark, Foegele, and Svechnikov. Talented, but not threatening in the landscape of the NHL. we still were weak and in need of a #1 center and a scoring winger. We then had a rotating center position when Rask sliced open his hand, relying on Bishop and Roy until the coaches settled on McKegg.
Waddell then made another move that proved to be highway robbery-- Niederreitter for Rask! A guy with hands and size and speed for the frequently missing and invisible, Victor Rask.
The other big mid-season (correction-- we picked up McIlhenney in early October) move was the acquisition of McIlhenny on waivers. Goaltending was finally solidified and the Darling experiment was finally put to rest. Thank you, Toronto!
The team also did everything to engage the fans. What started off as a skul clap ended up being The Surge. We were exciting. It was fun. We were a Bunch of Jerks.
I truly thought we'd be out in Round 1. We are a character team. We have a coach guys are willing to go through wall for. We have talent. We are in the playoffs. There's something special here.
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