• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe at Career Crossroads

By Andrew Luistro August 14th, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

.

Some early skating at RCiI: Gleason. Westgarth, Blanchard and Cam Ward.

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) August 13, 2013

With more than a month to go before the opening of the Carolina Hurricanes’ training camp, players have already begun flocking to RCI in preparation of the new season.  Over the next few weeks, that list will grow as everyone tries to get an early start on the year.

There will be plenty of scrutiny on the Hurricanes in general after a disappointing 2013 which saw injuries derail a once-promising season.  But perhaps no one will be feeling the pressure to succeed more than Zac Dalpe.

Dalpe is entering his fourth professional season yet has made no more than a handful of appearances in Raleigh since being selected in the second round in 2008’s NHL Entry Draft.  Despite being a prominent scorer for the Charlotte Checkers in each of the last three years, he hasn’t shown an ability to stick in the NHL thus far.

And the road just keeps getting tougher.

The once offensively-challenged Hurricanes have become suddenly potent.  Alex Semin and Jordan Staal were acquired last year, knocking Dalpe down the depth chart.  He ended up making the team out of camp, playing on a line with Staal and Jeff Skinner, but lasted just six games before being sent back to Charlotte.

Zac Dalpe

(Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

A new season brings new competition, this time in the form of 5th overall pick Elias Lindholm, who appears that he’ll be given every chance to make the team.  Lindholm already has a wealth of professional experience playing in the SEL for the last two seasons.

Other additions like Nathan Gerbe and Aaron Palushaj further the log-jam.  Even Drayson Bowman and Jeremy Welsh–both on one-way deals–could make more fiscal sense than Dalpe, everything else being equal.  Dalpe’s two-way deal was probably necessary to land the contract in the first place, but it could be the tie-breaker that sends him to the wrong end of the state.

Time is running short for Dalpe.  He will be 24 in November, and while that’s not ancient, it is getting into concerning territory.  Should he fail to make the team out of camp, he’ll be forced through waivers and it’s unlikely he’ll make it through unscathed.

While a good idea in theory, a fresh start in a new location isn’t always the cure.  2008’s first round pick, Zach Boychuk, was waived three separate times last year and remains unsigned.

Still, general manager Jim Rutherford has faith in Dalpe, electing to hold onto him at the 2013 Trade Deadline despite being asked about his availability.  Dalpe may yet end up being moved before October, but Rutherford wasn’t willing to deal him just for the sake of it in a lost season.  That has to count for something.

To his credit, Dalpe has kept his spirits up through the up-and-down beginning to his career.  He has not complained or deflected criticism through excuses.  “I’m not taking anything for granted,” the forward said. “I want to be here all 82 (games). I guess the season is 190 days, so I’ve got a 190 days of work ahead of me.”

Given the competition, 2013-2014 may be Dalpe’s toughest road to the NHL.  But if he makes it–and lasts the season–he’ll have earned it, rewarding the Rutherford’s patience.  For a team on the cusp of something great, Dalpe’s impact could be paramount.

  • Tags
  • Zac Dalpe
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 11:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Caufield, Dobes, Power & More

Jan 22nd 11:15 AM
Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Road Schedule Ravaged By COVID-19

Jan 22nd 10:55 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Riley vs. Riley, Family Members Faceoff Behind the Bench

Jan 22nd 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators: 3 Early Observations From the Young Season

Jan 22nd 10:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Backstrom Is Most Underrated Player in the NHL

Jan 22nd 10:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Kings Turn Tables On Avalanche For 4-2 Win

Jan 22nd 10:15 AM
Dallas Stars

3 Focuses for the Dallas Stars on Opening Night

Jan 22nd 10:05 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders Top Devils as Mat Barzal Continues to Grow

Jan 22nd 9:55 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Will Never Replace Joe Thornton in the Locker Room

Jan 22nd 9:45 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

4 Takeaways From Blackhawks’ Series With the Panthers

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information