Since the Canes took the day off yesterday, I decided to take the opportunity to do some research…
1. -the number of goals scored by Brandon Sutter last season.
17. -the number of goals scored by Brandon Sutter this season (so far)
7. -the number of points the Hurricanes managed in their first 18 games.
26. -the number of points the Hurricanes managed in their last 18 games.
14-26-6. -The Hurricanes record Prior to Staal being named Captain.
13-4-0 -The Hurricanes record since Staal was named Captain.
As you can see, the Hurricanes are a much better team than they were earlier this season, which is actually rather surprising. Most had high expectations for this team when the season began, but unfortunately it just didn’t materialise…Just how different have things become?
Here’s the line-up that the Hurricanes started the season with…
Ray Whitney-Eric Staal-Erik Cole
Tuomo Ruutu-Matt Cullen-Jussi Jokinen
Sergei Samsonov-Rod Brind’amour-Chad Larose
Tom Kostopolous-Stephane Yelle-Scott Walker
Joni Pitkanen-Aaron Ward
Tim Gleason-Joe Corvo
Niclas Wallin-Andrew Alberts
Cam Ward
Micheal Leighton
Looks fairly solid, right? Well that’s the team that sucked worse than a broken vaccum. To contrast, here’s the lineup for Wednesdays game vs. Washington…
Ray Whitney-Eric Staal-Jussi Jokinen
Chad Larose-Brandon Sutter-Tuomo Ruutu
Sergei Samsonov-Patrick Dwyer-Erik Cole
Zach Boychuk-Rod Brind’amour-Tom Kostopolous
Joni Pitkanen-Alexandre Picard
Tim Gleason-Brian Pothier
Jay Harrison-Brett Carson
Manny Legace
Justin Peters
Remember folks, the second team is the one winning games… bizarre.
Until next time Caniacs…
Chris Cote
CoteCanes@gmail.com
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Written by Chris Cote
Originally from Cadillac, Saskatchewan, I've been a Hurricanes/Whalers fan for as long as anyone can remember. I have completed two years of Journalism studies from the University of Regina and love to write...
Corey Krakower Mar 9 201010:06 am
are you encouraged by the progress or is there a part of you that would rather them finish in the bottom 3 to hopefully grab Hall or Seguin?
Chris Cote Mar 9 20106:50 pm
I’m currently working on another blog to explain all this, but personally, yes. I am encouraged by the progress.
Jim Rutherford went out this off-season and picked up a boatload of draft picks (we actually have 12 in the upcoming draft). I would expect JR to use those picks to climb in the draft standings and reach at least the number 3 spot in the draft.