When former Red Wings assistant coach Bill Peters took the head coaching job in Carolina this summer, he knew he would have a lot on his plate with the new opportunity.
Another course was just added.
Second line center Jordan Staal suffered a broken leg on a hit from Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges on Tuesday night in Buffalo, wiping out a solidified 2nd line and testing the depth of the center position relatively early. Regarding the devastating injury, Peters said:
“I’m concerned for sure. He’s a big piece of what we’re going to do moving forward,” (CBC)
Since the trade at the 2012 NHL Draft that brought the now 26-year-old from Pittsburgh to play with his brother Eric, Jordan Staal has been underwhelming for his new team. In the lockout-shortened 2013 season, he put up 10 goals and 31 points, but in 2013-14 in all 82 regular season games, he only managed five more goals and nine more points. The Hurricanes were leaning on Staal to bounce back to his 20+ goal, 50-point form that he had in Pittsburgh with a relatively young team. Depending on how long he will be out, the Hurricanes will have to look internally or elsewhere.
Internally, the ‘Canes have a pretty solid young center by the name of Jeff Skinner. Initially predicted to be a top-line winger next to Eric Staal, the 22-year old Ontario native could find himself centering the 2nd line along with Jiri Tlusty and Patrick Dwyer.
A converted center, Skinner has blossomed into a potent scoring winger, knotting 33 goals and 54 points in that role. Could the ‘Canes be willing to transfer him back to his original position that he played at Kitchener and risk possibly having his production decline? That is up to Peters and GM Ron Francis, as the Hurricanes do not have that much prospect depth at the wing. An answer to this question will need to come soon with the season already on the horizon.
The next man Francis has internally on the center depth chart would be 19-year old Elias Lindholm, who was given a chance right out of the draft in 2013-14 being the #5 pick. After six games with the Carolina Checkers, the Swedish center racked up 21 points in 58 games, which is solid for his age but it begs the question if he could handle a top six role.
It will be interesting to see how his situation plays out in the preseason. One thing is certain though, this injury will be a devastating blow to a Hurricanes offense already looking for more goals, as well as a strong test of the team’s depth.
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