djboos22
Aho (insert pun)
Definitely a great case has been made for Brind'Amour. He had most if not all the key goals during the cup run on top of everything previously mentioned. He could have easily won the Conn Smythe.
I never realized Erik Cole was from the Triangle.
Gonna win some bar bets with that one!
Depends on what you mean by "most important".
Ron Francis signing here was a very important event in the Canes short history and has been here in some capacity ever since.
Rod Brind'Amour led this team to it's greatest achievement and was a great player during that time, and is also still here.
Cam Ward won the Conn Smythe for the team's greatest achievement.
Eric was the face of the franchise for many years as the team established itself.
But this year has got me thinking, who is the most important Carolina Hurricane? Whalers not included, just the body of work during their time as a Hurricane..
Eric Staal
- Franchise first round draft pick
- All time leader in games played (909) - Brindy (694)
- All time leader in goals (322) - Brindy (174)
- All time leader in assists (453) - Brindy (299)
- Points leader in 2006 playoffs (28) - Brindy (18)
- Four time all star (for Carolina)
- Team Captain (2010-2016) - Brindy (2005-10)
Cam Ward
- Franchise first round draft pick
- All time leader in goalie games played (655) - Irbe (309)
- All time leader in wins (312) (27th in league history) - Irbe (130)
- Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
- Received votes for Vezina Trophy twice
The impressions of Staal and Ward are tainted by the team's overall poor performance since 2009 (I understand many will put a large share of the blame on them). I also understand the votes for Brind'Amour...great team captain...two time Selke winner.
I'd vote Staal 1, Ward 2, Brindy 3.
All good points, but I think you are conflating best player with most important player. I'd say Staal is easily the best player we've ever had, but if the question was which was the most important player, then I think Brindy due to his contributions, not only in playing, but in legitimizing and leading the team to respectability.
All good points, but I think you are conflating best player with most important player. I'd say Staal is easily the best player we've ever had, but if the question was which was the most important player, then I think Brindy due to his contributions, not only in playing, but in legitimizing and leading the team to respectability.
If Eric Staal isn't on that Cup team, we don't get to the finals. If Eric Staal isn't on the 2008-09 team, we not only don't get into the playoffs, we lose in round 1.