LCS Hockey - Team Reports - Carolina Hurricanes

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head coach: Paul Maurice

roster: C - Ron Francis, Keith Primeau, Jeff O'Neill, Kent Manderville, Bates Battaglia. RW - Ray Sheppard, Sami Kapanen, Nelson Emerson, Kevin Dineen, Paul Ranheim. LW - Gary Roberts, Martin Gelinas, Robert Kron. D - Steve Chiasson, Glen Wesley, Adam Burt, Curtis Leschyshyn, Sean Hill, Dave Karpa, Nolan Pratt, Steve Halko. G - Trevor Kidd, Arturs Irbe, Mike Fountain.

transactions: Gonesville: Stu Grimson (Anaheim), Steve Leach (Ottawa), Steve Rice (Toronto), Kevin Haller (Anaheim). Charlie New Guys: Ron Francis, Dave Karpa, Arturs Irbe.

1997-98 results:

Record...........33-41-8, 74 PTS, 9th Eastern Conference 
Goals Scored.....200
Goals Against....219
Power Play.......13.2% (18th)
Penalty Killing..85.2% (12th)

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* The addition of Ron Francis is huge.

* Francis and Keith Primeau give the Hurricanes one of the best one-two center combinations in hockey.

* Gary Roberts, Sami Kapanen, Ray Sheppard, and Martin Gelinas are four quality wingers, making Carolina one of the few teams capable of boasting two solid scoring lines.

* Trevor Kidd is on the verge of superstardom.

* Dave Karpa will bring feistiness to the blue line.

* The team should be more comfortable in its surroundings this year.

GRIEF

* Still have pesky bus ride to all home games.

* Roberts' health is always a question mark.

* Defense lacks a scoring threat from the point.

* Karmanos is still a jack ass.

1998-99 OUTLOOK: Ron Francis will turn the Hurricanes into a playoff contender. His leadership and professional demeanor will have an enormous impact on his teammates, especially Keith Primeau. And aside from the lack of scoring on defense, Carolina doesn't have too many weaknesses.

Prediction: First in the Southeastern Division.