Hurricanes Notebook: Williams Named to Canes Hall Of Fame, Kraken Visit

With a three-game losing streak still unbroken and forward Brett Pesce missing the next 2-4 weeks, there has not been much good news on the ice for Carolina.

However, on Wednesday, the team announced their intentions to add one more name to the rafters in PNC Arena, as Justin Williams was named the next member of the Hurricanes Hall of Fame.

Williams spent a total of eight seasons in Raleigh over two stints, winning a Stanley Cup and earning the nickname of Mr. Game 7. His empty-net goal in 2006 against Edmonton sealed the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

Over the course of his career, Williams appeared in nine game 7’s, helping his team accrue an 8-1 record. His seven goals during that span are tied for first and his 15 points put him atop the rankings for game seven stats.

During his time in Carolina, Williams saw action in 496 games, tallying 140 goals and 202 assists.

Williams’ name will go into the rafters in a ceremony on Jan. 15, as the Hurricanes welcome Los Angeles to Raleigh, the team Williams spent seven seasons with. He will join Rod Brind’Amour, Cam Ward, Glen Wesley, and Ron Francis in the team’s hall of fame.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes return to the ice on Thursday night, taking part in just their second home game of the season, welcoming the Seattle Kraken to PNC Arena.

While Brett Pesce is expected to be out 2-4 weeks with a lower-body injury, there is a chance that multiple Hurricanes return to the lineup.

Goaltender Freddie Andersen is expected to be in the lineup either tonight or tomorrow against San Jose, as Pyotr Kochetkov was sent back to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

It also appears that forward Andrei Svechnikov’s return is coming soon, as Rod Brind’Amour even hinted at a potential return against Seattle or San Jose. Svechnikov has graduated from his yellow non-contact sweater that he donned all training camp and has been a normal participant in practice.

Without a morning skate prior to tonight’s contest, there is uncertainty regarding any potential lineup changes or whether Carolina will roll with six or seven defenseman.

Seattle enters Tuesday night’s matchup with a 2-4-1 record, but on a winning note, as they defeated Detroit in overtime on Tuesday.

It is unclear who will take over in net for the Kraken, as Philipp Grubauer has turned in an 0-4 record in four starts, amassing a .896 save percentage while allowing 3.04 goals per games. Joey Daccord, who was in net for the Hurricanes’ loss in Seattle last week, has recorded both wins in net and sits with a perfect 2-0 record.

Defenseman Vince Dunn leads Seattle with seven points on the season, as the 26-year old has recorded a team-high six assists and secured a point in four of the last five contests.

Center Jaden Schwartz enters the contest as the team leader with four goals after netting two scores against Detroit.

This bodes well, as Carolina still sits at the bottom of the league for goals allowed at 33. No other team in the NHL has given up more than 27.

However, just six teams have scored fewer goals than the Kraken (16), which could potentially provide the Hurricanes with the perfect opportunity to correct their defensive mistakes.

Puck drop is set for 7:00pm at PNC Arena.

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