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In the 2010 – 2011 season the Hurricanes goaltending combo consisted of Cam Ward (obviously the number one guy) and Justin Peters playing the backup role. Under head coach Paul Maurice the Hurricanes started Cam Ward a career high – and a league high – 74 times, with 24 year old Peters getting the remaining 8 starts (and coming in to take over for Ward on four different occasions.) Now I doubt that it was planned before hand to have Cam Ward start 74 games, but the Hurricanes began playing much better in the final few months and (perhaps to save his own job if the team were to make the playoffs) Paul Maurice made the decision to ride Cam Ward to the end (which could explain why he’s suffered some back issues this season.) Despite Cam Ward’s stellar play, and the great play by the team in front of him, the Hurricanes didn’t manage to make the playoffs (eliminated on the last day of the regular season) and shortly after Hurricanes president and General Manager Jim Rutherford held his “state of the franchise” in which he addressed the media on his future plans. One of his plans was to bring in a veteran goaltender who could handle 20 games (spread throughout the season) to help reduce the workload placed on the shoulders on Cam Ward. Assistant coaches Tom Barrasso and Tom Rowe were charged with the task of making up a list of five goaltenders they felt could handle the job, in the end the Hurricanes ended up signing Brian Boucher.

At the time of his signing Brian Boucher was a 34 year old who had 314 regular season games under his belt with the bulk of his playing time coming with the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyer (he also spent very brief periods with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Calgary Flames.) If the Hurricanes made the playoffs (which at the start of the year didn’t seem impossible based on how the previous year ended) and Cam Ward faltered then the team could turn to Boucher who had 43 playoff games under his belt.

Even with a veteran backup goaltender, and talk in the off season about reducing Ward`s workload, the Hurricanes (still coached by Paul Maurice at the time) only gave Brian Boucher five starts from the time the season started until the beginning of December – which is only one more start then what Peters had in the same amount of time a year before. Boucher also replaced Ward twice, going 0 – 4 – 1 with a 3.27 goals – against – average and .888 save percentage. While those numbers are certainly not spectacular they are a bit skewed due to a terrible first three games. In the following four games (two starts and two replacements) Boucher managed to keep his goals against average below 3.27 and his save percentage was well above .888 (never dropping below .909.) Unfortunately the veteran goaltender wasn’t able to continue to build upon this success because in early December Boucher was sidelined with a lower – body injury that had kept him out of action, until today.

Today the Carolina Hurricanes have announced that Brian Boucher is fully cleared to return to the lineup, meaning Justin Peters has been returned to the Charlotte Checkers (the Hurricanes minor league affiliate) in the American Hockey League.

So back down goes 25 year old Justin Peters who has started seven games this season (four in the month of February) and has replaced Cam Ward in one game. He has a 2 – 3 – 2 record (2 – 1 – 2 in February) with one shutout, a 2.48 goal against average and .931 save percentage. Drafted in the second round of the 2004 NHL entry draft (38th overall) Justin Peters has started 22 career NHL games (coming in six to replace the starting goaltender six times.) He’s now 11 – 11 – 3 career with a 3.23 goal against average and .900 save percentage. He has been with the organization six years now, the majority of his time spent with the Albany River Rats/ Charlotte Checkers (with a bit of time spent with the Florida Everblades) and I think that he’s earned the right to be the backup goaltender next season.

Now I’m aware that the Hurricanes have Brian Boucher locked up for next season as well, but I believe there are a few reason why keeping him around is no longer beneficial to the team. I believe that the Hurricanes thought they would be a playoff contending team this season (only missed by one point last season) so going out and grabbing a veteran in the offseason (for nothing but cash) made more sense than trying to grab one at the trade deadline and possibly having to give up something (such as draft picks or prospects.) Obviously the Hurricanes will not be making the playoffs this season.

Another (potential) reason that Brian Boucher was brought in was because –in my opinion – the organization didn’t feel like Justin Peters could handle 20 games, which could be very important games, with a potential playoff year at stake. A fair criticism, with Justin Peters having only started 16 games between 2009 and 2011 and no NHL playoff experience, so it did make sense to bring in Boucher to give the organization a bit of insurance (at no cost but money.) However, in my opinion the last five games has shown that Peters can be counted upon and should be given the chance to play 15 to 20 games throughout the season (I highly doubt it would be too much for him to handle.) While Peters doesn’t have the same playoff experience as Brian Boucher, if the Hurricanes make the playoffs I doubt that whoever they have behind Cam Ward (no matter how much experience) will get to start.

Finally by sending Justin Peters to the American Hockey League it means he becomes the number one guy (or why else send him down.) The Charlotte Checkers already have two 23 year old goaltenders playing some fantastic hockey. Mike Murphy was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, and John Muse signed a contract with the Checkers over the summer. If the Hurricanes decide to keep Boucher and Justin Peters has to spend next year in the AHL then one of these guys (Muse or Murphy) will burn a year of development and I have to ask for what?

Justin Peters is a restricted free agent this year, while he may never be the starter for the Hurricanes he should at least get the chance to play the most NHL games he can. Brian Boucher was brought in for a purpose, but those reasons are no longer valid.

Your call: Should the Hurricanes move Brian Boucher in the off season and let Justin Peters take the #2 job?

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