Franchise Down: Carolina Hurricanes

[VodkaFish]

Can the Hurricanes be successful in Carolina if changes are made to the franchise?

[plp1676]

They can put it together again, how about contraction starts with Betman.

[Redtown]

This is baskeball country. It will take generations for them to fill that arena on a nightly basis and grow a passionate fan base.

[dumby]

Make every home game Nascar night, have a different driver for each game, paint the Zamboni with his scheme, sponsor logos, and let him cut the ice.

[Sputnik]

IMO they are not in bad shape, but I think they'd need to give out some more excitement to their fans (read toughness). The core is young and decent, eventually they will rebound.

[Ciccarelli]

The problem with the Hurricanes is that they have always been a troubled franchise since they exist. They are somehow the franchise nobody ever talks and has talked about. Their players never got and never get the attention other players on other teams get. It was like that in Hartford with Francis, Sanderson, Primeau and others and it is like that also now with Eric Staal, Ruutu and others. Staal would be a superstar in Boston, in Toronto or in Detroit. I remember lot of talk going on about Ruutu in Chicago, and altough he is playing a lot better now in Carolina nobody is mentioning him at all.

I think it is just their history and image that they'll always remain in the shadow of other franchises, no matter if they move back to Hartford to Quebec or anywhere else.

[DUSTER76]

Only thing keeping the Canes alive are the thousands of folks that relocate from the north every year.

[bkelly41]

Originally Posted by dumby

Make every home game Nascar night, have a different driver for each game, paint the Zamboni with his scheme, sponsor logos, and let him cut the ice.

thats the truth. how about mullet night. winner gets two free tickets to the local mudd bogging contest.

[Humpzilla]

The fan base has experienced a Stanley Cup victory. But by that logic, shouldn't the Anaheim Ducks still have the interest & passion in their market?

The fact remains -- you put an overly expensive, not very exciting product in an area which has only really been brought up on humble, and rough & tumble minor league hockey....who knows who'll show up, and if they will consistently.

Not to mention -- North Carolina is Nascar and college basketball country. Hell, maybe they should try giving away free cartons of cigarettes at games, if they haven't already tried that

[Humpzilla]

But dont worry Canes fans,

At least you'll always have these people to fill your stadium

YouTube - Me So Horny - Carolina...

[McDonald19]

This one could go either way.

I think they are in a better situation than Atlanta and Florida.

[thepolishkid88]

Really think you guys are underrating the Canes fanbase. They usually put up solid numbers at their games and even away you will still see some Canes fans. This goes right along with Nashville, they as well have an underrated fanbase.

[spugh99]

You guys are way off base about Hockey here in the Carolinas! There are a lot of fans here that fill the RBC Center every night. This state is very proud to have a NHL team here and I think it is just sour grapes. I think some markets are just upset that we have a "Cup" here that doesn't have Winston or Sprint in front of it! Piss off you whiners! Lord Stanley has a fan base here in the NC.

[Merlin401]

Originally Posted by spugh99

You guys are way off base about Hockey here in the Carolinas! There are a lot of fans here that fill the RBC Center every night. This state is very proud to have a NHL team here and I think it is just sour grapes. I think some markets are just upset that we have a "Cup" here that doesn't have Winston or Sprint in front of it! Piss off you whiners! Lord Stanley has a fan base here in the NC.

They do have a fan base, no doubt, but I'm sure you will agree that "fill" is not at all the word you meant to use!

[The Boogie Man]

Yeah I didn't realize hockey was struggling here in Carolina. They have a self imposed cap and do the best they can with the money they have. My only complaint would be the lack of toughness and protection around the young up and coming talent. The franchise has a cup behind them and a good solid fanbase. This is a down year for the Canes but a year of transition with their young talent. Jeff Skinner is looking like he will be a good player for years to come. I wouldn't be that concerned about hockey here in Raleigh right now.