Team Preview: Carolina Hurricanes

2010-2011: 91 points, 9th in Eastern Conference
Key additions: D Tomas Kaberle, G Brian Boucher, C Tim Brent, W Anthony Stewart, LW Alexei Ponikarovsky
Key departures: F Erik Cole, D Joe Corvo

Why they'll contend: The Hurricanes slightly upgraded their roster in the off-season, adding defenseman Tomas Kaberle to replace Joe Corvo who had asked for a trade over the summer. Goaltender Cam Ward is one of the game's elite and the Hurricanes have a dynamic mix of young forwards in Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner, and Brandon Sutter. The Canes made slight tweaks to their bottom two lines, adding Anthony Stewart from Winnipeg who was coming off a career-high 14 goal season and Tim Brent from Toronto who adds penalty killing depth. The addition of Kaberle could provide a huge boost to the back end. Despite sub-par play in Boston after the trade deadline, Kaberle is still a dynamic defenseman who could fit into Carolina's power play nicely. The Canes missed the playoffs by the equivalent of one win last season, losing in their final game. With a successful summer for the ever-shrewd GM Jim Rutherford, which included re-signing Jussi Jokinken and Joni Pitkanen and bringing in back-up goaltending help in Brian Boucher, minor adjustments may pay off big. If Alexei Ponikarovsky can contribute in Carolina the way he did in Toronto two years ago, the Canes will be in excellent shape to return to the playoffs.

Skinner will need to avoid a sophomore slump in 2012.

Why they'll falter: While the Canes made some nice acquisitions over the summer, most of them are anything from a sure bet. Ponikarovsky has struggled since leaving Toronto, as has Tomas Kaberle, and Anthony Stewart didn't even play in the NHL in 2009-2010 after being demoted in Florida. Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner will enjoy a more expanded role, but will he be a victim of a sophomore slump? Skinner was dynamic as a rookie but leaning to much on a 19-year-old kid is never Plan A, regardless of his skill and maturity levels. The Canes could use a stay-at-home defenseman and may struggle keeping pucks out of their own net and their penalty kill needs work, finishing in the bottom third in 2010-2011. Having Brian Boucher as a reliable back-up to Cam Ward will take the workload off of the netminder who lead the NHL in minutes last year with 4,318. But if Boucher falters the load will be back on Ward which may not be something the Canes can handle. Playing in a loaded Southeast Division, Carolina may not be deep enough for a playoff run in 2012.

2012 prediction: 10th in Eastern Conference
Leading scorer: Eric Staal, 32 & 65
Bold prediction: Coach Paul Maurice is fired before Christmas.

NEXT PREVIEW: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS