Remember 2006, when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup with Eric Staal, Rod Brind’Amour and Doug Weight down the middle, probably the most loaded group of centers in franchise history? Eleven years later, they may not have the offensive firepower of that group, but the cast that will hold down center ice for the 2017-18 edition of the Hurricanes may be the most gifted at both ends of the ice since that championship-winning group.
Gone are the days when the Canes would regularly send out the likes of Ryan Carter, Anthony Stewart and Tim Brent down the middle.