Carolina Hurricanes Storm Watch After Hours: What's Ahead for the Franchise?

The Carolina Hurricanes are swimming in mud, just not literally.

For a team that appeared to be in transition a few months ago, having missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons, many pieces have already been put in place by GM Jim Rutherford.

Rutherford has already stated that the team needs to remain on a tight budget, so going out and getting several high-priced free agents this offseason is out of the question.  So who exactly do the Hurricanes need to sign during the free-agency free-for-all?  Here are some ideas:

Players Recently Signed

Chad LaRose: Not sure why LaRose was signed to the exact same terms as far as salary goes from his 2009 two-year deal: $1.5 million in 2011-12 and $1.9 million in 2012-13.  LaRose did score 28 points in 56 games in 2009-10 but was outright ineffective on the penalty kill and in his own zone this past season with a minus-21 rating, and the team penalty kill ranked 20th out of 30 NHL teams. He scored 31 points in 82 games with the Hurricanes last year.

Joni Pitkanen: Signed to a three-year $13.5 million on June 28th.  This signing is real puzzling for me: 35 points in 72 games with only five goals to his credit for a player who eats up anywhere from 23 to 27 minutes of ice time each game.  Joni is certainly not of the shoot-first variety, and it burns the Hurricanes on the power play on a nightly basis. 

Carolina was ranked 24th out of 30 NHL teams last year on the power play, with most of their power plays in the RBC Center accompanied with "SHOOT!!!" and other frustrating chants and groans coming from the home crowd.  Pitkanen was also paired with a more defensively-minded Tim Gleason and usually left his blue line partner (and Hurricanes star goalie Cam Ward) out to dry several times each game last season.  Jim Rutherford said that he believed that Joni could be 50-point producer in the NHL most seasons, believed being the operative word.

Jussi Jokinen: Signed to a three-year deal on June 30 worth $3 million per season. Most likely the best signing so far before free agency starts for the Hurricanes and the players expected to test the open market July 1. His point production total did drop from 2009-10, but for a man who was acquired as primarily a shoot-out specialist in the 2008-09 season, he still has more upside to his game that is worth keeping.

Jay Harrison: For a defenseman who just completed his first complete NHL season with 10 points and a plus-five rating in 72 games, along with his low price, Harrison was probably the best bargain that the Hurricanes will get for a defenseman.

Players on the Rise

Brandon Sutter: After a 40-point 2009-10 season, the latest player to come out of the famed Sutter hockey family dynasty has found his calling as more of a defensive and special teams center. Carolina GM said shortly after the season ended that he was looking for a long-term deal with the young forward.

Zach Boychuk: Probably the next forward from the organization's pool of prospects to make the jump to the NHL next season. Boychuk has had limited NHL experience in the past, but it looks as if the former 14th overall pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft could finally get his chance in the NHL next year.

Possible Scenarios

With the forwards for next year most likely coming from within the Hurricanes organization and only a seventh defenseman possibly needed from the back-end with six already under contract for next season, the Hurricanes will almost certainly look for a backup goalie who can play 10 to 15 games when needed to take some of the workload off franchise goaltender Cam Ward. 

Of the goaltenders available, it appears that Alex Auld could be the best fit. He faced a fair number of shots along with Montreal sensation Carey Price and was reliable for the Canadiens as a backup.  For a team that will still give up many scoring chances on a nightly basis, Auld seems to fit the Hurricanes' bill.

As for a defenseman, Ian White played well in his first stint with Carolina before being traded to San Jose, and a return to Carolina could be a good fit if the Hurricanes decide to pursue him.