Inside the 2017-18 Hurricanes: On the cusp of ending playoff drought

Jim Cerny

Inside the 2017-18 Hurricanes: On the cusp of ending playoff drought image

It's been eight years since the Hurricanes last reached the Stanley Cup playoffs, the longest drought of any team in the National Hockey League.

However, things are looking up in Raleigh, where the 'Canes have a Top Four on defense (Justin Faulk, Noah Hanifin, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce) which is as good as any in the league, this side of the Predators and Flames, and some exciting youngsters up front looking to take the next step -- led by Sebastian Aho, who scored 24 goals as a 19-year-old rookie last season.

MORE: Stanley Cup offs for all 31 teams

The 'Canes were wildly inconsistent a year ago, due in part to their reliance on so many kids in the lineup and plenty of subpar goaltending from Cam Ward and Eddie Lack, who combined to post the 27th-ranked save percentage in the NHL. Carolina managed to win seven of nine games in late March, though that couldn't offset a stretch in which the Hurricanes lost nine of ten the month prior. There were two other five-game losing streaks during the season, as well, not a recipe for success in the buzzsaw Metropolitan Division.

GM Ron Francis is not only sticking with the kids this year -- likely adding defenseman Haydn Fleury, a 2014 first rounder, to the mix -- but he is supporting them with some veteran savvy and championship pedigree to bolster that next step up towards playoff contention. Francis acquired four Cup winners this past off-season in forwards Justin Williams and Marcus Kruger, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and goaltender Scott Darling as the 'Canes seek to crash the post-season party for the first time since 2009.

MORE: Sale of Hurricanes inches closer to completion

Carolina Hurricanes schedule 2017-18

The Hurricanes kick off the 2017-18 season by hosting the Wild on Saturday, Oct. 7, and follow that up with a Metropolitan Division clash against the Blue Jackets at PNC Arena three days later. Then the 'Canes are off on a four-game road trip against Western Conference opponents -- the Jets, Oilers, Flames and Stars -- for their first real test of the new campaign.

Their longest road trip arrives in December, a six-game trek through Vancouver, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Las Vegas and Buffalo. After a one-game stopover to do laundry and host the Blue Jackets on Dec. 16, it's right back out on the road for visits to Toronto and Nashville, making it eight of nine away from home.

DEVILS PREVIEW: Youngsters help turn page on recent past

Payback comes in February when the Hurricanes have a season-high seven-game homestand from the 1st of the month through the 13th. With three of the next four games following that home stand also at PNC Arena, February shapes up as a real make or break month for Carolina if it harbors hopes of contending for a playoff spot. If still in contention, circle March 30th and 31st when on back-to-back nights the 'Canes first host the Capitals then travel to Madison Square Garden to face off with the Rangers, a pair of important division games.

Hurricanes' key offseason additions

Scott Darling (trade), Justin Williams (free agent), Trevor van Riemsdyk (trade), Marcus Kruger (trade), Josh Jooris (free agent)

Hurricanes' key offseason departures

Eddie Lack (trade), Ryan Murphy (trade), Matt Tennyson (free agent)

Hurricanes' projected opening day lineup

Forwards

Jeff Skinner-Victor Rask-Teuvo Teravainen
Sebastian Aho-Jordan Staal-Elias Lindholm
Lee Stempniak-Derek Ryan-Justin Williams
Brock McGinn-Marcus Kruger-Joakim Nordstrom

Defense

Noah Hanifin-Justin Faulk
Jaccob Slavin-Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Goalies

Scott Darling
Cam Ward

Hurricanes' best-case scenario ...

They've got an impressive, emerging defense corps, some intriguing young forwards, a slew of past Stanley Cup winners, and a new No. 1 goaltender, so why shouldn't the Hurricanes believe they can contend for a playoff spot in 2017-18?

Consistency will be paramount for the Hurricanes this year because there is so little margin for error within their division and conference. If Scott Darling can rise to the challenge and provide Carolina far better play between the pipes in his first go-round as a No. 1 goalie, that's a great start. More offensive production at the other end of the rink and an improved power play (the Hurricanes ranked 21st in the NHL a year ago) is also vital. And if the vets Ron Francis acquired this summer provide the expected leadership, while also producing on the ice -- keep in mind, Justin Williams will turn 36-years-old this season -- then Carolina should be in the playoff mix right til the end of the regular season.

This is going to be a fun team to watch, even if they fall short of reaching the post-season in 2017-18. This is a team that is on the rise and in position to take the next step either this year or next.

Jim Cerny