7-8. Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils
- 2014-15 Finish: Canes 8th, Devs 7th
The tale of these two cities would be written “it was the worst of times, it was the worst of times.”
The Carolina Hurricanes will show a little improvement, but only enough to be better than the Devils. Both teams have a lot of question marks, with not a lot of answers.
The Hurricanes have the Staal brothers (Eric and Jordan). You know, the ones with the rings. They also possess the oft-concussed Jeff Skinner, and about 15 goaltenders on their current roster. Other than that nobody else jumps off the page. Maybe Justin Faulk emerges as that true number one defenseman he is predicted to be. As players battle to make the roster, their team scrimmages may actually be better than their regular season games. Expect Eddy Lack to with the job over mainstay Cam Ward.
As far as the New Jersey Devils are concerned, well their glory days are long over. It is starting to look like the early 1980s all over again. They have a roster full of aging veterans and young defenseman. It is a recipe for disaster. Their best player maybe Adam Henrique, but even he is coming off of a poor season. Stefan Matteau should have a legitimate chance to make the team out of camp this year too. As the son of Ranger hero, Stephane Matteau, it probably brings mixed feelings to both Rangers and Devils fans.
Things are bad in Devils-land. Bryce Salvador took a look at the roster and determined retirement was a better fate. Lou Lamoriello saw no future and took his genius to Toronto. The biggest excitement that may come from either team this season is the discussion of possible relocation.
It does not really matter where either team will finish, mainly because nobody will be watching them. That is, except when the Rangers come to town of course.
