The last time the Carolina Hurricanes won a division title was in 2005–06 when the crew led by Captain Rod Brind’Amore won the South East Division. Fast forward to 2021: The Hurricanes, now led by Head Coach Rod Brind’Amore, are the champs of the Central Division.
Although it has been 15 years since Caine has snatched a top spot, it is all too familiar with Trip-Tracy, who joined the team’s broadcast crew at the beginning of the 1998–99 season. Now a part of Bally Sports’ telecast, Tracy has seen it all – including the 2005–06 team that won the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup.
Carolina ends its regular season Monday with a matchup against its first-round rival, the Predators. With the season finale and the team hoping that there would be a long postseason run, Sporting News chatted with Tracy on Hurricane and the NHL.
(Editor’s note: Conversations have been edited for length and clarity.)
sports news: Is it surprising, then, that the storm is having such a good year?
TRIPP TRACY: No, I would not say that this is a surprise. I would say that part of it makes it more impressive in these unique times, not that other teams haven’t dealt with significant injuries and the COVID list, but there was a significant COVID stop in January for the Hurricanes, some heavily trusted players. Which he did to lose and get a strong start. And then a significant injury to the players that you bow to all positions – whether it be [Petr] Mrazek, who has missed most of the season in goal; Whether it is Teuvo Teravainen and Vincent Trocheck. Recently, individuals like Brady Skeji, Jakob Slavin were part of that COVID list, it took them a while to come back.
So for Carolina to chase a presidential trophy with the adversity that makes it, surprise is not the word for me that I would use, but it certainly makes it more impressive to me.
SN: Do you look at this team and say, “Well, this is definitely a team that can go deep into the playoffs”?
TT: No doubt
But I also look at it from a perspective. It is a great privilege for me and I think it is an advantage that I am here from and98, and I have a lot of weaknesses, but one of the things that I have, I remember like an elephant. . . . . The decade 2000–2010 was a feast or famine for the Carolina Hurricanes. really. Either you didn’t make the playoff or, when you did, you made a long run. Three times, in 2002, 2006, 2009, [they] Make it to the finals of the conference. Twice you make it to the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2006, and you win in 2006.
Usually when you talk deep. . . The initial playoff is adversity; Usually happens in the first or second round and if you get through it, you become more of a galvanized, determined team with a deeper level of confidence. So this team, for the reasons I just mentioned, had a ton of adversity within this regular season.
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It is hard to compare, and I do not like to compare the 2006 Stanley Cup team, as he was an experienced crew. . . He lived without winning for a long time. This is still a very young team with a lot of kicking on Cain. But they are as resilient as that 2006 team and when I just see them on paper, it’s hard for me to say that and compare to a championship team that’s central to my heart, but, the storm is just as deep and star- There are studded front. There is probably a deep blue line and. . . Argue that you are deeper than the goal [than 2006], And you have a coach who was the captain of that team.
So I hope you get an answer to your question that, yes, I believe they can win. However there always seems to be an inevitable adversity along the way.
SN: What does it say to have a roster with these young children? Is it a weakness, but a strength at the same time, as there is no long memory of the previous bad playoff run?
TT: This is a big question and the answer is that the youngsters went to the conference finals two years ago and were already bowed out as inter-players. In particular, one is [Sebastian] Ah o.
Ahoy, I will disproportionately guarantee you, that as a Sentman, the Boston Brins have been eliminated in two playoffs, where the overall impact of Bruce’s centers – [Patrice] Bergeron, [David] Krejci, Charlie Koele, Sean Kurali – In two successive elimination, I guarantee you, Sebastian has been burned. When I say it burns, I say it burns in it. It instills inspiration in him, that he may still be a young player, but he is an experienced guy when he comes to the playoffs and I know for a fact that he is motivated, the way you hope. We do.
more: Check out Triple Tracy’s podcast
(Editor’s Note: This interview took place on Saturday before the Predators lost 3–1. As previously mentioned, both teams will play again on Monday at 8 pm ET.)
SN: It looks like it will be Nashville-Carolina in the first round. How do they stack up against the Predators and is there any team that can stop this Carolina team?
TT: If I learned anything from my years of playing, by calling the playoff games, and the first time I did it in 1998, anyone could beat anyone. So, and you have to be careful what you want, because I can remember a situation that always continues for me in 2009 and in the second round: the Boston Bruins were the top seed in the East and they beat Carolina Did not exist. In all the matches of the season series, he smacked them. And the storm ended in a very entertaining series [and] They beat Boston on the road in overtime in Game 7.
So Carolina won all six games against Nashville. They are all playing close. They are close games that have been scheduled, which have outnumbered Carolina’s side more than a few due to special teams playing. Carolina has been able to match Nashville’s cause and when I say that, Jus Saros is a vagina candidate type of year. Carolina’s goal has been taken not only by the big steps on the majority of nights this year with the Carolina goalkeeper punting the man on the other end.
Do I like Carolina’s team? I love his team, but I’ve been at the other end of it for Carolina in the final two playoffs, where you know you have to really scratch and claw to get to the final time.
But once you get to the playoffs, both you and I know, it’s different from other games in PostSense. In truth, and honestly, anything can happen, because it is such a fine line. And he would extend any game of hurricanes, including the Nashville Predators.
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SN: What is your contribution to the season of Connor McDavid? As a former goalkeeper, can you think that he will face you?
TT: The things he can do, and in the fastest game of any major game – and another notch or two faster – are simply phenomenal. I really can’t imagine dealing with that type of speed. But to be able to do things, whether it’s a pass or whether it fires a fire, or whether it makes a spectacular, effortless move at that kind of autoban-like pace, is amazing. and I think [his chase for 100], Unprecedented for the game of hockey. . . . I hope he and Leon Dreisital and the Edmonton Oilers can find a way to get something to go to the playoffs because when all the eyes and the added attention in the postseason – the best postseason in the game – is that stage. And you hope, along with potential new hockey fans, that there will be a playoff run from Connor McDavid, which will be a part of an advertisement for the National Hockey League.
SN: Austen Matthews, as well, has an unprecedented season. What does this mean for the game not only does he have the year he is but as an American?
TT: First, the American piece is sufficient. . . When you talk about that, and you see an increase of American-born players, just again a World Junior Championship is won. And for a player who grew up playing hockey in Arizona, with all that pressure in Toronto to go to the center of the hockey universe. . . And that is the type of season that he has, again, remarkable, tremendous for the NHL, but especially, as well as for USA hockey and the growth of the NHL in our country.
What a sniper. He is sharpness and heaviness in his release at the same time – and deception. So, just to see an exciting player. . . And like Connor McDavid, [will] Matthew and [Mitch] Marner and Toronto Maple Leafs Take Next Step? . . . Great hockey player [McDavid and Matthews] – They will both be finalists of the Heart Trophy. Conor McDavid, I’m sure, will win.
You don’t know what’s going to happen, but for the growth of the league, either a Marneer or a McDavid in the same division, a long-running playoff would be a tremendous thing for the NHL. Hey, what about Toronto and Edmonton’s matchups in that division? It would be just the full Oscar — I’m sure, the winning material.
SN: Who will win the Stanley Cup? Do you have a prediction for playoffs? Is this carolina?
TT: I think this is Carolina. I do I think it is because of Carolina how flexible they have proved to be in the regular season. His star power, I think, is a little kissing. You asked me about Matthews, McDavid; I have recently been asked why Sebastian Ego is no more a household name in the NHL in regards to being a true superstar. Well, how do you make it? A long playoff run.
I think the storm has current star power. They have far more depth in every situation than they ever were. They have faced significant adversities this season that when, inevitably, they face adversity in the playoffs, it will serve them well. They are going to need some luck in regards to health that they did not have this year. . . . And they have Coach of the Year, it’s so easy, leading the way.
So for all those reasons, which are great teams, if you’re asking me to make a pick: Vegas, great, Colorado, great. Some real strength in teams [North] the division. Formerly some very, very good top-to-bottom teams. Stanley Cup champions here [the Lightning] If you are Carolina then you have to pass. . . But I’d say Carolina Hurricanes would be my pick at all.
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