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Every article, I try to include a poll question for readers to vote on, then review the results from the week’s polls every weekend. I'm a day late, but here are last week’s poll results and my thoughts on how they turned out.
Are you happy with the job that Don Waddell has done as Hurricanes general manager?
(Votes: 65)
Yes: 95% No: 5%
Seeing the votes go 62-3 on this one is pretty wild but also not at all surprising. Since taking over as general manager, Waddell has put together two successful seasons for the Hurricanes, after the team went nine years straight without a playoff appearance. Waddell and his team have been very intentional with their moves and you can see that they’ve been following a clear direction for the organization. They’ve managed to set the Hurricanes up for both immediate and future success and have done it fairly quickly.
What is your projection for Pyotr Kochetkov’s future role with the Hurricanes?
(Votes: 56)
Fringe starter: 39% Starter: 21% Backup: 20% Doesn’t make/stick around in the NHL: 20%
It was interesting to see each option get a good chunk of votes. I think fringe starter is certainly a possibility for Kochetkov but it’s obviously far too early to say. Truthfully, on this one I don’t have much of a guess because it’s really so up in the air right now and it’ll take another year or two to be able to truly make an assessment on his long-term potential. He’ll be back in the KHL next season and we’ll go from there.
Who do you think the Hurricanes will lose in the 2021 Expansion Draft?
(Votes: 284)
Bean: 29% Skjei: 25% Fleury: 22% Trocheck: 13% Foegele: 8% Someone else: 3%
Between Bean, Skjei and Fleury, 76 per cent of voters believe Seattle will take one of Carolina’s left-handed defensemen. I agree with this, as in any scenario, at least two of the three are exposed. The only way I see all three defensemen escaping the draft is if Trocheck was left exposed and neither Bean or Fleury progressed well in their development next season. I see that as quite unlikely but there’s always a chance. I think if Hurricanes are able to protect four defenseman, it’ll come down to who of the three shows the most potential going forward. The good news is that regardless of who gets picked, the Hurricanes will retain the other two, keeping their strong defense corps intact.
OTHER HURRICANES ARTICLES FROM APRIL
Reviewing the season (so far): Martin Necas Reviewing the season (so far): Nino Niederreiter Reviewing the season (so far): Brett Pesce Reviewing this week’s polls (April 4): Hurricanes Edition Reviewing the season (so far): James Reimer Reviewing the season (so far): Jaccob Slavin Reviewing the season (so far): Jordan Staal Reviewing the season (so far): Andrei Svechnikov Reviewing the season (so far): Teuvo Teravainen Reviewing the season (so far): Justin Williams Reviewing this week's polls (April 12): Hurricanes Edition Reviewing the season (so far): Trevor van Riemsdyk Reviewing the season (so far): All players acquired/traded this season Hurricanes must improve in two areas to contend for a Cup Five non-UFAs who may not be back with the Hurricanes next season Reviewing this week's polls (April 19): Hurricanes Edition Asset management has been a key part of Waddell's success Managing expectations for prospect Pyotr Kochetkov Hurricanes are likely to lose a quality player in the 2021 Expansion Draft