Hurricanes improved by additions of Williams, Darling

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is taking a look at where each team stands. Today, the Carolina Hurricanes:
The Carolina Hurricanes are trending upward and appear poised to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2008-09.

Prior to losing five of six to end last season (1-4-1), the Hurricanes made a run at the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference by earning at least one point in 13 straight games (9-0-4). They finished eight points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second wild card.
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Carolina has added championship pedigree to its young roster this offseason. Forwards Justin Williams and Marcus Kruger, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, and goalie Scott Darling have won the Cup a combined seven times. A maturing core includes forward Jeff Skinner, who scored an NHL career-high 37 goals last season, and Justin Faulk, whose 17 goals were tied for second in the League among defensemen with Shea Weber of the Montreal Canadiens and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators.
Defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who had NHL career highs in points (34), goals (five) and assists (29) last season,
agreed to terms on a seven-year contract extension Wednesday
.
Here is what the Hurricanes look like today:

Key arrivals

Justin Williams, F:The 35-year-old agreed to a two-year, $9 million contract ($4.5 million average annual value) on July 1. He won the Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014. Williams is known as Mr. Game 7; he has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in eight career Game 7s in the NHL playoffs. He had 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 80 games for the Washington Capitals last season. … Scott Darling, G: After going 18-5-5 with a 2.38 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and two shutouts in 32 games (27 starts) for the Chicago Blackhawks last season, the 28-year-old was acquired in a trade April 28 and agreed to a four-year, $16.6 million contract May 5. He was part of Chicago's 2015 Cup championship team. … Trevor van Riemsdyk, D:He was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 22, one day after he had been selected from the Blackhawks in the NHL Expansion Draft. Van Riemsdyk, 25, had 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 58 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Cup in 2015. … Marcus Kruger, C: The 27-year-old was with the Golden Knights for two days before he was traded to the Hurricanes on July 4. He won the Cup in 2013 and 2015 with the Blackhawks, and had 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 70 games last season. … Josh Jooris, F: The depth forward had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 54 games with the New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes last season.

Key departures

Bryan Bickell, F:The 31-year-old announced his retirement April 8 because of multiple sclerosis. He had one goal in 11 games last season and scored the only shootout goal of his NHL career in his final game, against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 9. … Eddie Lack, G: The 29-year-old was traded to the Calgary Flames on June 29 after going 8-7-3 with a 2.64 GAA and .902 save percentage in 20 games (18 starts). … Ryan Murphy, D:The No. 12 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft had 37 points (six goals, 31 assists) in 151 games with the Hurricanes before he was traded to the Flames on June 29. He split time between Carolina and Charlotte of the American Hockey League last season with the emergence of Slavin, Noah Hanifin and Brett Pesce.

On the cusp

Haydn Fleury, D:The No. 7 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft will have to crack a defense strengthened by van Riemsdyk's arrival. Fleury had 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) for Charlotte last season and tied a team record with a plus-16 rating. … Julien Gauthier, F: Gauthier, the No. 21 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, had 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists) for Val-d'Or and Saint John in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, and had seven points (five goals, two assists) in seven games to help Canada win a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. … Nicolas Roy, C: Roy, chosen in the fourth round (No. 96) in the 2015 NHL Draft, led Chicoutimi of the QMJHL in goals (36) and points (80) in 53 games, and tied for first with 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 17 playoff games. He played in two AHL games and had four points (three goals, assist) in the 2017 WJC.

What they still need

Someone to emerge as legitimate No. 1 goaltender. The Hurricanes allowed 2.80 goals per game last season (18th in the League), and despite allowing the fifth-fewest shots on goal (2,320), they were 26th with a .901 save percentage, according to ESPN.com. Without a true No. 1 center, they're hoping Williams provides punch to an offense that was 20th in the League (2.59 goals per game) and 21st on the power play (17.7 percent). Skinner and rookie Sebastian Aho (24) were the only Hurricanes to score more than 20 goals.

Pete Jensen's fantasy focus

This is the most talented roster the Hurricanes have had in a long time but the crucial component remains their goaltending. Cam Ward had 26 wins in 61 games with mediocre peripherals, so the Hurricanes acquired Darling, an efficient backup with the Blackhawks, to compete for the starting job. Only Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens (.929) has a better save percentage than Darling (.923) during the past three seasons (minimum 75 games), so Darling could follow in the footsteps of Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks and Cam Talbot of the Edmonton Oilers and become a breakout goaltender this season.

Projected lineup

Sebastian Aho -- Jordan Staal -- Elias Lindholm
Teuvo Teravainen -- Victor Rask -- Justin Williams
Jeff Skinner -- Derek Ryan -- Lee Stempniak
Brock McGinn -- Marcus Kruger -- Joakim Nordstrom
Jaccob Slavin -- Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin -- Justin Faulk
Klas Dahlbeck -- Trevor van Riemsdyk
Scott Darling
Cam Ward