The Hurricanes started this year with question marks on offense and defense.  How would take over left wing for Whitney?  What kind of defense would the Hurricanes have?  How would Skinner fare as an 18 year old wunderkind? How would Ward's back hold up?  How would the penalty kill and power play work?  Could the Hurricanes make the playoffs? Is Maurice a coach who can take the Hurricanes to greatness?

Some of the questions were answered, but not always to my liking.  Skinner exceeded almost everybody's expectations.  The defense was inconsistent.  Perhaps the biggest disappointment for me was the season-long slump by Gleason.  I tend not to blame him, other than for some very costly mental erros and a few positional miscues because I'm convinced he was hurt all year. 

   The Hurricanes upgraded at a number a of positions.  Allen and Joslin add much needed physical dimensions.  Bowman brings skill and grittiness.  Samson adds a grinding intensity.  Bodies adds size and fight. 

   The story on Maurice is yet to be determined.  He helped keep a young team focused.  In some ways, it's arguable that's but for a handful of costly blunders, the Hurricanes would be In the playoffs. 

   I see this season as yet another year in which a dismal power play ruined any chance of the Huricanes being a play of team.  I also view the season as a long opportunity to develop Boychuk, Dale, and Bowman more fully as NHL top six or even top nine players. 

    The Hurricanes of 2010-2011 were close to being good enough to be a playoff team.  They however faltered around February 1st.  The Hurricanes are not a better team than their record.  To improvem the Hurricanes need to jettison some of their average players for better players.  The Hurricanes suffer from a talent deficit, not an effort or character deficit. 

    It is also possible that Maurice is not the coach the Hurricanes need to make the next step.  I hope Maurice is given all of 2011-2012.  If he leads the Hurricanes into the playoffs, extend his contract two more years.  If not, move Maurice into the front office and hire Jeff Daniels to be head coach.

    The Hurricanes need to bring up Boychuk and Dalpe next season.  Bowman probably needs to replace Tlusty.  It is time to turn the page on Stillman and LaRose.  Their salary a Funds can be better used to resign Pitkanen.  Harrison needs to be the #7 dman at most.  The Hurricanes need one more upper tier defense man and a big-bodied power forward. 

    Assuming the status quo other than Boychuk and Dale making the team out of training camp, the lines would be:

Boychuk/Staal/Cole

Dale/Skinner/Ruutu

Bowman/Sutter/Jokinen

Tlusty/Dwyer/Samson & Bodie

OR

Dalpe/Staal/Cole

Boychuk/Skinner/Ruutu

Bowman/Sutter/Jokinen

Tlusty/Dwyer/Samson & Bodie

OR to create a scoring line from the young players:

Bowman/Staal/Cole

Boychuk/Skinner/Dalpe

Jokinen/Sutter/Ruutu

Tlusty/Dwyer/Samson & Bodie

Gleason/Corvo

Pitkanen/McBain

Joslin/Allen

Harrison as 7th dman

Now assuming that the Hurricanes select Armia or Saad and that whoever the Hurricanes pick is ready, the lines might be:

Adding Saad or Armia

Boychuk/Staal/Cole

Dalpe/Skinner/Ruutu

Armia or Saad/Sutter/Jokinen

Bowman or Tlusty/Dwyer/Samson or Bodie or Bowman or Tlusty

OR

Dalpe/Staal/Cole

Boychuk/Skinner/Ruutu

Armia or Saad/Sutter/Jokinen

Bowman or Tlusty/Dwyer/Samson or Bodie or Bowman or Tlusty

For purposes of considering stepping into the shoes of both Jim Rutherford and Paul Maurice in considering the alternatives at forward here is a list of potential forwards for 2011-2012 with the Hurricanes, 

Staal

Cole

Skinner

Sutter

Ruutu

Jokinen

LaRose

Dwyer

Bowman

Samson

Bodie

Boychuk

Dalpe

Tlusty

From these,  healthy scratch two players from the list and make your lines.