FINALLY, we are on the verge of real hockey again. The guys have been skating for awhile, the prospects just finished up a strong showing in a preseason tourney and the official team physicals are today. And for the a Carolina Hurricanes team that has a bunch of vacancy signs at the NHL level on the depth chart and a bunch of promising youngsters in the mix, we Canes fans get more than your usual ho-hum preseason slow roll into October.

This September we get:
--First (or least early) looks at the promising future of the franchise.
--We get preseason games that matter for who makes the team and doesn't and the battles for spots and ice times.

The fun officially begins tomorrow the the Caniac Carnival (forecast is beautiful, so make a day of it) and the team's first practice.

Here is what I watch for early in camp:

1) The attitude and swagger in camp from the kids. Top prospects have all been trained in the Bull-Durhamish interview "I just want to do what's best to help the team," "I'm just happy to be here and have this chance", type of responses. But the guys that rise more quickly are the guys who come in with a purpose and a clear goal of making the team. Eric Staal, who was labeled as needing a year to add weight and clearly headed back to juniors, his first year showed up with the intent of making the roster, scored a bunch of preseason goals and gave management no choice but to keep him.

Out of the gate, I am not counting goals in drills or even preseason games, but rather am watching how the kids carry themselves. Do they seem to have that sense of purpose and the "I belong here" attitude? Or do they look like an overwhelmed kid who needs to take it all in, process it and grow for the future.

2) Leadership approach-Eric Staal-1, guys like Gleason right behind. He has been captain for awhile now obviously, but this will be his first training camp as the official leader of the team. It is also minus the previous veteran leaders (Ray Whitney, Rod Brind'Amour) who were still wearing the Canes crest while Staal was getting his feet wet with the C.

3) Cam Ward's back. All indications are that he is starting training camp at 100%. The Canes chance to be young, fast, talented and a league surprise and not just a rebuilding project rests on its defense. For as young and inexperienced as the team will be this year, it is not the common defensive train wreck on defense that you sometimes get with rebuilding projects that feature unproven goalies and a very young defense with no experience. Ward is a veteran goalie at this point, and the defense, while maybe a little shallow and including some youth, does have some experienced and proven minute-eaters.

I say that the chance to surprise this year rests on the ability of Ward and the defense to be sound and solid, keep the teams in games most nights and give it a chance to collect points on a regular basis.

Start the countdown! Only 4 days until the first preseason tilt and a mere 20 days until real hockey in Finland!

Go Canes!

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Maple Leafs and Hurricanes: Comparison in rebuilding strategies

» Snarly Hurricanes vs. Flyers match up set for Saturday

» Canes treading water - Will they eventually drown or swim?

» Solid first half of week tees 'make up' time at home for the weekend

» Hurricanes at Red Wings -- Canes look claw even for road trip