Carolina Hurricanes
Last season: 47-30-5, lost in Eastern Conference final.
COACH: Rod Brind’Amour (325-160-49 over seven seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 9 vs. New Jersey.
DEPARTURES: D Brent Burns, D Dmitry Orlov, D Scott Morrow.
GOALIES: Pyotr Kochetkov (27-16-3, 2.60 goals-against average, .898 save percentage), Frederik Andersen (13-8-1, 2.50, .899).
BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 19-2.
What to expect
After reaching the playoffs for the seventh time in as many seasons under Brind’Amour, there were not major changes to the roster. Mainstays like center Sebastian Aho, forwards Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov, and defenseman Jaccob Slavin are locked up long term. The Hurricanes will again be one of the favorites to contend for the Stanley Cup out of the Eastern Conference, though these days that would mean punching through the roadblock of the two-time reigning champion Florida Panthers, who have eliminated the Hurricanes in the East final two of the past three seasons.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Aho (team-best 74 points) and Jarvis (team-best 32 goals) are in their prime, while Svechnikov — a former No. 2 overall draft pick — is coming off a huge postseason with eight goals. Slavin headlines the defensemen, which include key returnees in Jalen Chatfield, Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbhere. Andersen has been the veteran capable of taking the lead in net for the playoffs.
Players to watch
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