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Predictions

EAST

1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI

WEST

1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

5. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes were amongst the quietest clubs this offseason, after a stirring run to the conference final, where they lost to eventual Cup champion, Pittsburgh. GM Jim Rutherford has weathered some storms during his impressive tenure, from “ups” such as the 2002 Cup final, the 2006 Cup championship, to non-playoff years sprinkled between. Rutherford has kept some key parts through all or most of the club’s history this decade, and his loyalty and bricks-and-mortar approach has kept the Hurricanes legit for years. Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Ray Whitney, Rod Brind’Amour, Nic Wallin and Matt Cullen remain key parts of the club’s nucleus, a core group of guys who keep the club from falling too far.

Eric Staal, 24, is the player most closely identified with the team, and by now, perhaps the franchise, including its Hartford years (Save Gordie and the Howes). He’s been a post-season all-star, gone to three all-star games, won a Cup, scored 45, 30, 38 and 40 in the last four seasons. He shot the puck a career-high 372 times last season. Staal is as gifted as Crosby or Malkin, Datsyuk or Zetterberg. He has the ability to lift a club, which he did last spring, scoring ten times in 18 playoff games, responsible for a deep playoff run more than any other ‘Cane.

A funny thing happened to Jussi Jokinen. Good thing it happened in the playoffs. He came to town via Tampa, and proceeded to score just one goal in 25 games. Not funny. Then, the playoffs started and he scored seven goals. Funny how things work. With Rod Brind’Amour in decline, there’s no time like the present for Jokinen would like to climb the Hurricanes’ depth chart. Jussi Jokinen: He ain’t Jokin’. Sorry.

Most importantly for the Hurricanes offense, Whitney, (24 goals), Cullen (22), Sergei Samsonov (16) and Chad LaRose all return, as does Brind’Amour (16), whose -23 rating was an embarrassment for the former Selke winner, now 39 years old with two seasons left on his deal, including this one. Erik Cole, after scoring just two goals in 17 games, followed by zero in 18 playoff games, must get off the schneid.

Tom Kostopoulos will kill some penalties and most importantly, add some toughness and the ability to play an uptempo style, as Paul Maurice requires. Look for left wings Drayson Bowman (47 goals with Spokane, WHL) and Zach Boychuk (28 in 43 games with Lethbridge, WHL) to get a shot, and center Brandon Sutter will get another look.

Eighth in the NHL last year, the club’s defense features a key component that paid big dividends in the postseason: Defensemen who can score. Anton Babchuk netted 16, Joe Corvo, 14, and Joni Pitkanen potted seven. Wallin, Andrew Alberts and Tim Gleason return in shutdown roles, as does returnee Aaron Ward (Boston). The club will seek to integrate one or more of AHLers Tim Conboy, Jamie McBain, Brett Carson or Brian Rodney. A well-stacked defense should help power the Hurricanes into the second round of the postseason.

Cam Ward returns for his fifth NHL season sporting a resume that includes 120 wins, a Cup and a Conn Smythe trophy, plus 39 wins last season and 37 the season previous. At 25, he, like Staal, is quietly ascending to the elite at his position. From afar, observers might think that Raleigh, NC, isn’t on the hockey map, but the club’s fan base is rabid and involved. The Hurricanes are the East’s most interesting dark horse.

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