This article will be the final post of a seven-part series looking at how the New York Islanders stack up against each Metropolitan Division team next season (done in no particular order). Today’s look: how the Islanders measure against the Carolina Hurricanes.
FORWARDS
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen make up a power duo up front for the Hurricanes, each putting up 75+ points last season. Nino Niederreiter also had 30 points in 36 games after arriving from Minnesota, while Andrei Svechnikov is coming off a great rookie season and will likely boost his production in an increased role this year. Carolina also added Erik Haula and Ryan Dzingel and each could be expected to produce between 45+ points. Questions do remain as to whether Justin Williams will return while Jordan Staal missed parts of last season with a concussion but when healthy, he’ll be good for about 45 points. Martin Necas could also make the jump, which would make for a pretty solid top-nine group. Aho and Teravainen may be the only two forwards whose stats jump off the page but the Hurricanes have a group that can all produce and contribute and overall are a step ahead of the Islanders up front.
EDGE- CAROLINA
DEFENSE
Even after moving Calvin de Haan, the Hurricanes have one of the best defense corps in the NHL. Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce are both very defensively reliable and can also contribute offensively while Justin Faulk and Dougie Hamilton are two major pieces to round out their top-four. Despite Nick Leddy improving defensively and the rise of Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews, as well as the defensively stability of Adam Pelech, the Islanders can’t quite match up to Carolina’s defense. Carolina’s blue line remains extremely well-rounded and is one that can both drive offense and provide support for their goalies.
EDGE- CAROLINA
GOALIES
Petr Mrazek had a turn around season for the Hurricanes and will be back as the team’s starter this season while Curtis McElhinney moved on and was replaced by James Reimer. Between Mrazek and Semyon Varlamov, it’s a bit hard to project where the starters are going to land in terms of stats. Though Varlamov has been inconsistent, he’s generally been better than Mrazek over the last three seasons (a .911 save percentage versus a .905).
While many will disagree, I believe Reimer could be a similar backup in Carolina to what Greiss is in New York, being someone who can provide experience and take on a high number of games. That being said, though I think Reimer could make for a sturdy backup, it’s very optimistic to think he will hit the .925 save percentage marker that Greiss has been able to provide in two of his four seasons with the Islanders.
Both teams have a starting goalie who has been a bit all over the place in the last three seasons and a veteran backup who could play a high number of games. In a closer look though, Varlamov likely has an edge on Mrazek, while Greiss does give the Islanders an advantage in terms of goaltending depth.
EDGE- NEW YORK
Like the Islanders, the Hurricanes surprised many last year with a playoff run and will be looking to build on their group’s success. Their skaters are stronger both offensively and defensively and though the Islanders may have the better goaltending duo, it’s not by a big enough margin to say that New York is likely to finish ahead of the Hurricanes again this year.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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