head coach: Paul Maurice

roster: C - Keith Primeau, Jeff O'Neill, Kent Manderville, Steve Martins. LW - Gary Roberts, Geoff Sanderson, Paul Ranheim, Sami Kapanen, Stu Grimson, Jeff Daniels. RW - Steven Rice, Kevin Dineen, Robert Kron, Nelson Emerson, Stephen Leach, Chris Murray. D - Glen Wesley, Jeff Brown, Adam Burt, Steve Chiasson, Kevin Haller, Curtis Leschyshyn, Enrico Ciccone, Marek Malik. G - Trevor Kidd, Sean Burke, Mike Fountain, Pat Jablonski.
*-Unsigned free agent.

injuries: None.

transactions: XX/XX - Signed free-agent defenseman Adam Burt and left wing Jeff Daniels. 07/24 - Signed forward Bates Battaglia to a multi-year contract. 07/25 - Acquired defenseman Enrico Ciccone from the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Ryan Risidore and a 1998 fifth-round draft pick. 08/08 - Acquired the New York Rangers fourth-round draft pick in the 1998 Entry Draft in exchange for goaltender Jason Muzzatti. 08/10 - Signed goaltender Pat Jablonski to a multi-year contract. 08/14 - Signed Group VI free-agent goaltender Mike Fountain to a multi-year contract. 08/25 - Acquired left wing Gary Roberts and goaltender Trevor Kidd from the Calgary Flames in exchange for center Andrew Cassels and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. 08/28 - Re-signed forward Steve Martins; signed right wing Ethan Philpott; signed right wing Brent Fedyk to a free-agent tryout. 09/08 - Signed left wing Gary Roberts, who was acquired in a trade from Calgary on Aug. 25, to a multi-year contract. 09/10 - Signed goaltender Trevor Kidd to a multi-year contract.

standings:

1996-97 FINAL RESULTS
RECORD:     
 OVERALL      32-29-11
 HOME         23-15-3
 ROAD          9-24-8        
POINTS:             75 (19th)
GOALS SCORED:      226 (19th)   
GOALS AGAINST:     256 (19th)
POWER PLAY:      18.1%  (4th)
PENALTY KILLING: 84.6% (10th) 

game results:

PRE-SEASON RESULTS
9/13 NY Islanders      W 4-1

team news:

by Jim Iovino, Ace Reporter

SAVE THE HURRICANES?

Yes, reality has set in around the offices of LCS Hockey. Leggy supermodel Elle MacPherson is most definitely blocking out our calls. Sources on the inside say she still thinks Zippy's kinda cute, but feels we didn't do enough in our quest to keep the Whale in Hartford.

Now the Whale have relocated to Carolina, where they will battle Dick Trickle and Ricky Rudd for local airtime on the 11 o'clock news. Will the Whale ever get respect?

Probably not, but hey, a foolish little hockey magazine can dream, can't it?

The Whale have a new name, a new arena, new uniforms and less fans. They've got a new leader on the ice and in the clubhouse. And they've got two starting goaltenders. All we need is Dickie the Whale and we've got a party on our hands.

OFFENSE: Roberts Adds Goals, Leadership

Gary Roberts returns to the National Hockey League after a one-year retirement as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. Roberts, a former 50-goal scorer, came to the Hurricanes along with Trevor Kidd in a trade that sent Andrew Cassels and minor league goalie J.S. Guigere to the Calgary Flames.

If healthy, Roberts adds an instant goal-scoring threat to the Carolina attack. But, more importantly, Roberts adds a tremendous locker room attitude and a great sense of leadership to the team. However, all of this is relative to Roberts' neck. For Roberts to do his thing on the ice, he's going to have to create havoc in front of the net. And if he's going to stand in front of the net, he's going to have to expect to take a sever beating around the head and shoulders from the opposing defense. If Roberts is still skating by the midway point of the season, Roberts' comeback will be considered a success. Here's hoping Roberts, an LCS Hockey hero, comes back to the NHL in a big way this season.

Speaking of big, it looks like Roberts will be on the top line with the one, the only.Big Keith Primeau. Primeau could finally live up to his potential on a line with Roberts. With Primeau banging in the corners and along the boards, digging out the puck and throwing it in front to Roberts, he could easily surpass his 1996-97 totals of 26 goals and 51 points in 75 games. If his stats don't improve while on a line with a player of Roberts' caliber, the potential everyone has talked about will never show up.

The remaining member of the first line should be LCS Hockey's little buddy, Sami Kapanen. Kapanen's a cool guy. He's not the biggest player in the league, he's not the fastest, or the most skilled, but he shows up every night and gives it his all. Last season Kapanen was first on the team in plus/minus with a +6, proving that he's good at both ends of the ice. Kapanen's also got some offensive skills just waiting to bust out. If he sticks on the first line, this could definitely be the season we see Sami step into the spotlight.

The trading of Cassels paved the way for Jeff O'Neill to slide into the second-line center position. The Hurricanes have placed a lot of pressure on O'Neill, but they also have a lot of confidence that he can produce. The former No. 1 draft pick has to prove himself this year, not that he can play at the NHL level, but that he can play at a consistent level during an 82-game season.

The one remaining sniper on the Hurricane roster is Geoff Sanderson. Sanderson has one of the best shots in the league, and he uses it a lot. But just when you think Sanderson's gonna bust out and turn into one of the league's premier snipers, he does something to prove you wrong. Sanderson is streaky. He'll go a week or two without a goal and then bang, he'll light the lamp in three or four straight games. Having Roberts as a role model should do wonders for Sanderson this year.

Other than the forwards mentioned above, there's not much else scoring punch. Nelson Emerson is penciled in on the right side on the second line, but he has to improve dramatically on last season to keep the spot. Emerson struggled through the 96-97 season, scoring just nine goals in 66 games. He was also a -24.

Kevin Dineen, who was the heart and soul of the Whalers, is once again with the team to add his leadership abilities and the occasional goal. Steve Leach was acquired during the off-season for Alexander Godynyuk. He's a 12-year vet who should help stabilize both ends of the ice and add even more leadership.

Chris Murray turned some heads at the end of last season after coming over from the Canadiens. The Whalers are hoping for even more of his inspired play this year.

Of course, Stu Grimson will be there to take care of any punks who go after Roberts' neck or anyone else's body parts on the team.

DEFENSE: Brown is the Key

The Hurricane defense is a strong point this season. All of the top defenseman could probably find a job on any team in the league.

Jeff Brown is a big question mark due to missing virtually all of last season following back surgery. If healthy, he'll quarterback the power play from the point. And if that happens, the rest of the defense can concentrate on being their steady selves and not worry about providing a lot of offense.

Curtis Leschyshyn, Steve Chiasson and Glen Wesley are solid in both ends of the ice. You know what you'll get from them. You also know what you'll get from Adam Burt: at least three spin-o-rama attempts per season. Enrico Ciccone was acquired over the off-season to add muscle on the blue line. Last season he racked up 233 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Blackhawks. Kevin Haller has experience, but is very shaky at times in his own end. His mental lapses usually end up in a goal.

Jason McBain and Nolan Pratt have a shot at seeing some ice time, but unless a veteran is traded they won't be regulars anytime soon.

GOALTENDING: Crowded in the Crease

There's a problem in the Hurricane goal crease, but it's a good problem. The Hurricanes have too many starting goalies. Sean Burke is the incumbent, Trevor Kidd is the new challenger. Only one can start, so before long one's got to go. And that one will be Burke.

Burke is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Rumors have swirled since last season as the where Burke will end up. Most of the rumors had him heading to Philly, but those have seemed to die down as of late.

Kidd was supposed to be the next Mike Vernon in Calgary, but that obviously didn't happen. He never found the consistency needed to play on a regular basis, but a lot of that had to do with the bad defenses in front of him in Calgary. Kidd gets a fresh start in Carolina, but not until Burke is moved.

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Roberts is back in the league.yee-haw!!!

* Numerous defensemen with experience.

* Burke could bring one or two good players in trade.

TROUBLE

* No one wants to show up to watch them play.

* Hurricanes need scoring depth up front.

* Team name synonymous with natural disasters that kill people.

1997-98 OUTLOOK: In the weak Northeast Division, the Hurricanes have as good a shot as any to take first place. If Roberts holds up, things should be all good. If not.well, let's not think about that.

PREDICTION: First in the Northeast and in the playoffs.

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