The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

[mitch497]

Hurricanes Announce Front Office Overhaul

Carolina Hurricanes owner and CEO Peter Karmanos, Jr., announced that General Manager Ron Francis has been relieved of his duties just one week prior to the start of the 2014–2015 NHL season. To replace him, Karmanos, Jr., tabbed a surprise candidate to head the team's hockey operations with 26 year-old Minneapolis, Minnesota native Mitch Williams, who was previously serving as a Special Assistant to the GM for his hometown Minnesota Wild.

Williams, who grew up a Wild fan, graduated from the University of Minnesota and took a job as a journalist in Bemidji, Minnesota, covering high school and college hockey in northern Minnesota. After a team scout met Williams and was impressed with his scouting knowledge, the Wild approached Williams and offered him a job as a scout. After three years as a scout, Williams spent two in the front office before taking the Hurricanes job.

The Hurricanes are expected to finish in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference, though Karmanos, Jr., reiterated that Carolina intends to compete for a playoff spot this season.

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Reserved Post 1

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Reserved Post 2

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Reserved Post 3

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Carolina Hurricanes 2014–2015 Season Preview

The good news is that the Carolina Hurricanes return most of their roster from the 2013–14 season and that there will be plenty of familiar faces at PNC Arena this season.

The bad news is that the Hurricanes finished 13th in the Eastern Conference last season, marking their fifth straight playoff miss, and first under the NHL's new divisional alignment.

However, with an overhauled front office and another year of seasoning under their belts, there is reason to believe that the Canes can be more competitive in 2014–15 than they were the previous season.

However, regardless of competitiveness, trade rumors will continue to fly around Raleigh. Most analysts agree that it would benefit the Hurricanes to trade some of their older, expensive talent, and go into a rebuild. Specifically, both of the Staal brothers (Eric and Jordan), along with Alexander Semin and Cam Ward, could all be trade targets for competing teams with money to pay for their large contracts.

For now, though, the Hurricanes will continue on with those veterans on the roster. Ward should get the starting assignment in net, with last year's backup, Anton Khubodin, returning in the same role. On defense, Justin Faulk – already in his 4th NHL season at age 22 – will anchor the blueline along with veteran Ron Hainsey and young gun Ryan Murphy, who will look to build off a successful freshman campaign.

On offense, expect the Staal brothers to control the middle, with Semin and Jeff Skinner, who is quickly developing into an elite left winger. Nathan Gerbe and Elias Lindholm will feature on the second line, with the latter looking to capitalize on his full potential after a somewhat disappointing rookie season. Other younger players such as Brad Malone, Patrick Dwyer, and Riley Nash should provide depth, while waiver claim Andrej Nestrasil and 2011 second rounder Victor Rask will look to impress as rookies.

As for the farm... well, it's not a good start for a team with their minds on a potential rebuild. Perhaps trading away some of the aforementioned veterans will help replenish the system, but for now, outside of those already on the NHL roster, there isn't much else behind last year's first round pick Haydn Fleury, a skilled defenseman who is still just 18 and will likely spend the entire season in the WHL. Alex Nedeljkovic, last year's second round pick, is the system's best goalie prospect, but is also 18, also a long ways away, and will also spend the whole season in the CHL (with Plymouth of the OHL). In terms of forwards, the system lacks anyone who projects as a Top 6 forward, which is a large concern.

Overall, while Mitch Williams, the team's new General Manager, and team owner Peter Karmanos, Jr., insist that Carolina intends to contend, this team looks better suited to take on a full scale rebuild. If, and how long, that rebuild will take, is still to be determined.

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Hi guys, thanks for reading my new dynasty. This is my first dynasty on Operation Sports but I have done others elsewhere in the past. This will be on the new Eastside Hockey Manager version which I am enjoying (I don't have NHL 15 and honestly prefer the sim games). Hope you guys enjoy. Please comment if you'd like, I appreciate the support (even if you're a silent follower).

[johnstone1987]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Pretty gutsy move firing the Front office a week before the opening puck drop lol. But I am impressed with your resume's background especially coming from the Wild. Should be interesting to see if you can get Carolina back to it's "Golden Days" as you said they've missed playoffs plenty of times. Something to consider though since you're in the Eastern Conference, get ready for some good gameplans for Boston, Detroit, Rangers and Pens.


Best of luck to your season! Better get going lol you only got a week to improve on any sudden changes for the Canes before the puck drops.

[OilCountry93]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Pumped for this dynasty, love the idea of Eastside Hockey Manager, this is definitely one time I wish I didn't have a Mac.

[seb170455]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

God Lücken with Youri Hurricanes

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Pretty gutsy move firing the Front office a week before the opening puck drop lol. But I am impressed with your resume's background especially coming from the Wild. Should be interesting to see if you can get Carolina back to it's "Golden Days" as you said they've missed playoffs plenty of times. Something to consider though since you're in the Eastern Conference, get ready for some good gameplans for Boston, Detroit, Rangers and Pens.


Best of luck to your season! Better get going lol you only got a week to improve on any sudden changes for the Canes before the puck drops.

Thanks for the comment! Yes, I'm not going to make any changes yet. Trade deadline should be fun.

Pumped for this dynasty, love the idea of Eastside Hockey Manager, this is definitely one time I wish I didn't have a Mac.

Yeah, it's a great improvement from the 07 version. Maybe (if, ever) when the new Franchise Hockey Manager version comes out you could try that... unless it's a disaster like v1. Thanks for checking in.

God Lücken with Youri Hurricanes

Appreciate the comment! I will have to check out your dynasty.

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Hurricanes Showcase Potential in Preseason

While preseason is a time for adjustments to be made and teams to practice with different lines and formations, it can still be a good indicator of success for the forthcoming season. If this year's preseason is any indication, the Carolina Hurricanes could be in to surprise this season.

9/20/14 – Lightning at Hurricanes
1–4


Blunden
Janus: 35/39 saves


Skinner, E. Staal, Gerbe, Rask
Ward: 19/20 saves

9/21/14 – Hurricanes at Predators
3–1


Skinner (2), Semin
Ward: 16/17 saves


Neal
Saros: 38/41 saves

9/23/14 – Blues at Hurricanes
3–1


Oshie (2), Jokinen
Elliott: 24/25 saves


J. Staal
Ward: 28/31 saves

9/26/14 – Coyotes at Hurricanes
1–5


Bødker
Smith: 38/43 saves


E. Staal (3), Skinner, Lindholm
Ward: 28/29 saves

9/30/14 – Hurricanes at Ducks
4–3
Hurricanes win shootout 2–1


Skinner, Lindholm, Jordan
Ward: 28/31 saves
SHOOTOUT: E. Staal (X), Gerbe (O), Skinner (O)


Getzlaf, Beleskey, Perry
Andersen: 24/27 saves
SHOOTOUT: Fowler (X), Perry (O), Sekac (X)

Preseason Record: 4–1–0

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

There's the preseason update. From here on out, I will update every two weeks. One game every two weeks will have a detailed report, the rest will be reported like the above. After every month I will do a short roundup. Articles will pop in from time to time. As this game is a sim I can usually get through a season in two-three days, sometimes quicker if I'm not working.

[johnstone1987]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Judging by your Pre Season results you should have a great Season!

[mitch497]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

Judging by your Pre Season results you should have a great Season!

Hopefully. Good to see the young guns will be able to step in in case of injury.

Update coming...

[seb170455]

Re: The Rolling Thunder. (Carolina Hurricanes: EHM EA)

God Lücken with Youri Hurricanes

Auto adjust! Dutch language do not know the English words. So: Good luck with your Hurricanes!