However, the Hurricanes were unable to live up to their potential and expectations and finished the season sitting in 13th in the Eastern Conference with a sub-par record of 19-25-4. The offense hummed around the league average for goals, but the defense had a tough time helping Cam Ward out in net and ended up with the second most goals against in the league behind Florida. Carolina’s goal differential ended the season at a monstrous -32.

Carolina has issues right now, and it starts at the blue line. The Carolina Hurricanes defense hits only 14.6 million dollars on their cap, the second lowest in the Eastern Conference. Cam Ward’s cap hit of 6.3 million is larger than any defenseman on the team. So now I bring up the same issue that was on the daily poll a few days ago. Should teams pay for an elite goalie? Or should teams pay for an elite defender? Who would you rather have, Cam Ward or Zdeno Chara?

Carolina ended their season in disappointment  but as it does every year, the off-season brings hope for change. If the Hurricanes could target and sign a solid defenseman it may change their fortune more than any offensive force like they were able to reel in last season.

Carolina has a good amount of free agents to take care of this season including defensemen Joe Corvo, Brett Bellemore, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Bobby Sanguinetti, among other young prospects. The Hurricanes need to solidify their defense and begin to look to the future in younger players.

Carefully choosing who to re-sign is key to the franchises success, and they need to clean up the third and fourth lines in the offensive end. Carolina has enough skill up front on the first two lines, but the depth isn’t their, and neither is the defense. It’s a work in progress, but it goes without saying that Cam Ward must be better for the Canes in the future. He’s the man they look to, and he’s the man they’re paying the big bucks.

1. Ilya Bryzgalov

March 9, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) takes a sip of water during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Though he may not be the most talented of goalies he is certainly the most entertaining and his helmet is no exception to that. He switched helmets through the season to his current Star Wars themed helmet, which seems very appropriate for a guy they call Mr. Universe. It has Yoda on one side and Darth Vader on the other which is definitely awesome enough to make the list. Interesting fact about Brygalov’s helmet: They had to repaint Yoda’s light saber because it was originally red but Yoda’s light saber is actually green.

2. James Reimer

Feb 7, 2013; Winnipeg, MB, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) sets for a shot during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Two words make this helmet great: Optimus Reim. Reimer has fully embraced the nickname given to him by Toronto Maple Leafs fans putting Optimus Prime’s face on the chin strap and his blue prints all over it, makes for a for a very interesting design that you don’t really notice unless you look closely.

3. Mike Smith

Feb 26, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith (41) during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Phoenix Coyotes won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Wile E. Coyote, super genius. My favourite Looney Tunes character makes Smith’s one of my favourite helmets in the league. Wile E. is wearing a Phoenix Coyotes jersey with the name A. Smith across the back, which honours the goalie’s new son. Wile E. even has roadrunner feathers stuck in his teeth which is a great final touch to an awesome helmet.

4. Jonas Hiller

March 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) reacts after allowing a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Hiller’s mask just looks awesome. The black and gold is just so cool looking with the black and white silhouettes on either side just make it that much classier. On the back is a picture of Poseidon in Hiller’s number one, which the goalie says represents his zodiac sign of Aquarius. Also on the back is a dove because one of the meanings of Jonas is dove.

5. Cam Ward

February 23, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the PNC center. The Lightning defeated the Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Ward is famous for having Blackbeard the Pirate featured on his helmet he also always has his nickname Wardo on the chin strap. The back features a lot of personal references including a cross with his grandfather’s initials, the Stanley Cup, and a lucky four leaf clover.

Mar 2, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

6.Jonathan Quick

Quick is the knight of the Los Angeles Kings for sure and his helmet reflects that. The simplistic design makes this helmet unique and really cool-looking. I’m also a fan of Quick written across the chin strap in very rock and roll lettering.

7. Henrik  Lundqvist

Mar 14, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Lundqvist’s mask acted as a tribute to his homeland this year. With Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman on one side and director Ingmar Bergman on the other. On the front is a crown with Lundqvist’s number 30 in it, no doubt a reference to his nickname King Henrik. With Lady Liberty and the New York Rangers initials across the chin strap representing Lundqvist’s love for the city he plays in.

Jan 23, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff (34) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

8. Miikka Kiprusoff

Kiprusoff’s helmet is totally awesome. It has skulls on a black background and on the sides it has the goalie’s nickname Kipper along with his number 34. It’s just a really cool looking helmet, I don’t know what else to say about it.

9. Joey MacDonald

Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Joey MacDonald (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

I didn’t want to have two goalies from the same team on the list but the Calgary Flames’ goalies really knocked  it out of the park. MacDonald’s helmet has orange flames on the front and his nickname Mac across the chin strap. The most interesting part of his helmet though is that Mac (the character from the movie Cars, he’s a Mac truck) is on the sides.

10. Jose Theodore

March 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Jose Theodore (60) before the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Panthers 6-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Theodore definitely took inspiration from being in Florida. It prominently features what has been deemed a Tiki Gargoyle as well as a lot of palm trees. The Gargoyle is guarding a sand castle. It is a great summery helmet that makes all of us stuck in the cold and snow feel like having fun in the sun and he deserves some props for that.

SIDE NOTE: When searching for pictures of Lundqvist’s helmet I came across this ad for SportsCenter, please enjoy!

Ward suffered the injury during Sunday’s victory over the Florida Panthers when Jack Skille and Justin Faulk collided with the netminder as seen in the picture.  Luckily, Ward will not require surgery to repair the MCL.

The Saskatoon, SK native is a major reason why the Hurricanes are in first place in the Southeast division and will now be forced to cope without his services. On the season Ward is 9-6-1 with a 2.84 GAA and a .908 save percentage.

The Canes will rely on backup Dan Ellis to carry the majority of the workload and it’s believed that Justin Peters will be recalled from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL in the wake of Ward’s absence.

Should Ellis and Peters struggle, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Hurricanes trade for a veteran netminder to help them limp into the playoffs.  Ward likely won’t be ready until mid to late April which would roughly be the same time the playoffs start.

The 32-year old Ellis has never played in more than 44 games during a NHL season and has served primarily as a backup over the past three seasons.