This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on this collectibles blog and my personal one, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a little over a week, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key exits: Frederik Andersen (G), Mike Reilly (D), Noah Philp (C)
Key Arrivals: None.
Top prospects: Bradly Nadeau (LW, 21), Felix Unger-Sorum (RW, 20), Charles-Alexis Legault (D, 22),Semyon Frolov (G, 19), Justin Poirier (RW, 19), Charlie Cerrato (C, 21), Justin Robidas (C, 23), Nikita Artamonov (LW, 20)
The only departures were an oft-injured, 37-year-old goalie, a depth defenseman, and a fourth-line centre - and with no notable arrivals, their replacements will come via the team's system, which will inject some youthful energy to a group that played until the end of June. Alexander Nikishin is at a contractual impasse and may be used as trade bait for a player in a similar situation from the Detroit Red Wings, a top-end goalie from the Winnipeg Jets, as part of a package for a defenseman from the Minnesota Wild, or any other roster player who used to warrant $7.5M in salary and whose value rose above $12M this summer.
What makes their odds look good:
They won the Stanley Cup in just 19 games (only three playoff losses) mere months ago, and the only lineup changes so far have been limited to letting depth guys go and replacing them with younger options. These guys have been playing this system for years and it's paid off well in every regular season so far.
Question marks:
Will the goaltending hold up with Brandon Bussi as the #1 guy and Pyotr Kochetkov being asked to triple his workload from last season? Does it even matter, though?
Outlook:
They won't necessarily coast to a first-place finish because, like Charlie Sheen, they only have one speed ("Go!"). But they are a machine that will only be stopped by time and the effects of years of compound physical play, like last year's Florida Panthers.
Prediction:
1st in the Metropolitan Division.
Head coach and former captain Rod Brind'Amour is no stranger to the Carolina Hurricanes' success, as he has them playing just like he used to himself, with speed, skill, strength, intelligence, stamina and led by willpower.
As a player, Rod The Bod amassed 452 goals, 732 assists and 1184 points in 1484 regular-season NHL games that included the entire Dead Puck Era, as well as 51 goals and 60 assists for 111 points in 159 playoff games, culminating with a Stanley Cup in 2006 (and another Final in 2002) and two Selke trophies as the league's best defensive forward. He has better credentials than many current Hall of Famers. He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1994 World Championships.
As a coach, he won the Cup last summer, but is also one of the rare winners of the Jack Adams Trophy (best head coach, 2020-21) to not get fired the very next season. Maybe that's his way into the Hall.
Here he is wearing the Canes' red (home) uniform on card #AF-RD from Upper Deck's 2008-09 SP Game-Used Edition set and Authentic Fabrics and Dual Jerseys sub-sets:
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