Youth Movement Begins in Carolina
If you read my deadline day preview over on Rock Me Like a Hurricanes, pretty much every movable player left except for hot commodity Ray Whitney. I also thought Andrew Alberts would stay for next season, but I digress.
Moving all these veterans means the youth will get an extended look to round out the season. With Ward gone, Alexandre Picard will suit up regularly in the top six and likely see some powerplay time as well. With Alberts and Corvo gone, Brett Carson also will see some more ice time and powerplay opportunities. If either player fails, the Hurricanes will have plenty of time to retool during the offseason making GM Jim Rutherford look like a very smart man.
Trading Walker and Yelle means good things for top prospect Zach Boychuk. Before the injured Walker, Chad LaRose and Erik Cole returned to the lineup Boychuk saw plenty of ice time and rewarded coach Paul Maurice with three points in as many games. The former 14th overall selection by the Hurricanes should continue his success with golden boy Brandon Sutter in the near future, so keep an eye out for him.
At this point rostering Hurricanes may not appear to be the sexy move, but the team holds a six game winning steak and won nine of their past 11.