Stanley Cups: 1

2008-'09 record: 45-30-7, 97 points (2nd in Southeast, 6th in East)

2008-'09 playoffs: Defeated New Jersey Devils 4-3; defeated Boston Bruins 4-3; lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0

General manager: Jim Rutherford (492-462-160, 15th NHL year, 1st team)

Coach: Paul Maurice (377-376-142, 13th NHL year, 2nd team)

Captain: Rod Brind'Amour

Top returning scorer: LW Ray Whitney (24 goals, 53 assists, 77 points)

Top returning goalie: Cam Ward (39-23-5, 2.44, .916)

Key additions: D Jay Harrison; RW Steven Goertzen; RW Tom Kostopoulos; D Andrew Alberts; D Aaron Ward; C Stephane Yelle.

Key subtractions: C Dwight Helminen; RW Patrick Eaves; D Frantisek Kaberle; D Dennis Seidenberg; LW Ryan Bayda; D Anton Babchuk.

Top line: LW Ray Whitney, C Eric Staal, RW Erik Cole

Top defensive pairing: Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo

Goaltending: Ward posted franchise record nine-game win streak late in the season to boost Hurricanes into playoffs, then 2005-06 Conn Smythe Trophy winner backstopped them to upset wins over Devils and Bruins, outplaying Vezina winners Martin Brodeur and Tim Thomas. Very economical butterfly goalie who always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. Credited much of his success last season to introduction of former Vezina winner Tom Barrasso as full-time goalie coach.

Player to watch: C/RW Zach Boychuk. Nearly earned a spot with Hurricanes last season following strong camp, playing two games before returning to WHL to score 28 goals in 43 games with Lethbridge and help Canada to world junior title. Patient with puck and very explosive when scoring opportunity arises. Has battled injury woes much of his career, leading to worries about whether he can physically handle NHL.

Icing: Staal had 13 goals and 16 assists in Carolina's last 20 regular-season games. The Hurricanes went 22-3-2 when he scored a goal, and carried that over to the playoffs. They won seven of the eight games in which he had a goal. He has missed only one game due to injury, and has played in 336 consecutive games — the second-longest active run in the NHL.

Outlook: Ended two-year playoff drought with run to Eastern Conference finals. Responded to coaching change when Maurice replaced Peter Laviolette in December. Mobile, puck-moving back end is ideal for new NHL.

Prediction: 91 points (2nd in Southeast, 8th seed in East)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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