With 17 games remaining in the 2016-17 season and the Carolina Hurricanes mostly unable to move up in the standings, the balance of energy continues to shift toward building a playoff-capable team for 2017-18. I have written multiple March/April-focused articles in this vein.

My original checklist for March/April work is HERE.

Yesterday, the Hurricanes called up another promising AHL player in Lucas Wallmark who will likely make his NHL debut on Monday night.

And today’s Daily Cup of Joe considers options to build a young, scoring-capable fourth line for 2017-18 to boost scoring.

The same look to the future is the theme for today’s Coffee Shop post.

 

Hurricanes polls

Please be sure to click ‘vote’ after each poll response.

 

If you were to build a new fourth line for 2017-18 only using current AHL/NHL fringe and/or depth players who would center it?

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If you were to build a new fourth line for 2017-18 only using current AHL/NHL fringe and/or depth players who would be the 2 wings? (Select 2.)

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Which young player that we have seen so far has the greatest potential to become a difference-maker playing in the top 9 at the NHL level?

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Hurricanes discussion questions

1) Play scout/evaluator for the numerous AHL call ups during the 2016-17? What roles do you think they can/will play in 2017-18? Are any of these players capable of finding a higher gear and being a true difference-maker or are the Hurricanes finally just starting to add serviceable depth at the AHL level?

 

2) What are your thoughts on the questionable hits on Valentin Zykov by Roman Polak and also Cam Ward by Nazim Kadri in the Maple Leafs game? Please start by stating to what degree you think these were dirty hits versus just part of the game. (I think that is important.) Do you think the Hurricanes should have responded more aggressively? Or were these just part of a physical and fast game?

 

Go Canes!

 

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