Old North Banter
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Predicting the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Standings

By Ryan Henkel

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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2. Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 16: The Carolina Hurricanes react after being defeated by the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 16: The Carolina Hurricanes react after being defeated by the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

On paper, the Hurricanes have one of the best-assembled groups in not only the Metropolitan but also the league. With a proven top-six supplemented by offensive add-ons Erik Haula, Ryan Dzingel and a top-10 prospect in Martin Necas, the Hurricanes should come out the gate with a high-flying offense to start the season.

Even better than their offense though is the Hurricanes stacked defensive core. From the absolute defensive dominance of Jaccob Slavin to the high-offensive engine of Dougie Hamilton and Jake Gardiner the Canes defensive groups looks like a clear-cut favorite to be the top in the league.

The only hold-ups for Carolina are will its new additions mesh with the established group, can they get the long-struggling power play clicking, and will goaltending finally stabilize for the Canes. Will Petr Mrazek be able to carry the number one load again and will whichever backup the Hurricanes select also be able to string together a winning record?

Notable Additions: Erik Haula, Ryan Dzingel, Jake Gardiner, Joel Edmundson

Notable Losses: Justin Williams, Justin Faulk, Curtis McElhinney

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