Skip to content

Hurricanes looking to be 'a more dangerous team offensively' this season, coach says

James Guillory / Reuters

Bill Peters is emphasizing goal-scoring in his second season behind the Carolina Hurricanes' bench.

With a year of NHL coaching experience under his belt, Peters feels more conformable heading into training camp, and hopes an air of familiarity between him and his players will help the team get off to a better start this time around.

"I think it’s going to be a lot easier going into year two, just the comfort level they have with me and also myself with them," Peters told Chip Alexander of The News & Observer. "Now, as a coaching staff, we know what they’re capable of and should be able to put them in positions to succeed. ... With the players, I think the comfort level will be higher and that’s the most important thing.

"We’re going to tweak a few things from what we did last year, with an emphasis on being a more dangerous team offensively," Peters added

Peters watched as key forward Jordan Staal suffered a broken leg early in his tenure, an injury that sent ripples through a lineup that failed to win in his first eight games behind the bench.

Things began to level off as the season went on, and the Hurricanes managed to finish with a record of 30-41-11, but they only scored 188 goals, good for 27th in the league.

Captain Eric Staal, who led the team with 23 goals and 54 points, seems hopeful about a second tour of duty under Peters.

"It was difficult early, but once we had everyone going and in the lineup we believed in what we were doing and what Bill (Peters) was preaching and showed some good results," he said.

Key to an improved attack will be the resurgence of Jeff Skinner, and the continued emergence of Elias Lindholm. Still, the Hurricanes will be in tough to improve on their record from last season, especially within the confines of the competitive Metropolitan Division.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox