The surprise Cup finalists return intact, ready to prove last year was no fluke

By Daniel G. Habib

Erik Cole.  Lou Capozzola SI Fast Fact Ron Francis begins '02-03 having played in 1,569 games, 46 behind Larry Murphy for second place and 198 behind Gordie Howe. SI Insider Rankings Offense: 13 Forwards are big, fast and creative Defense: 12 Keeping Hedican key; more experienced Tanabe should excel Goaltending: 17 Irbe-Weekes solid, if unspectacular, tandem Special Teams: 11 Face-off specialists Francis, Brind'Amour big help here Management: 10 G.M. Rutherford deserves credit for being patient

Shortly after the Hurricanes' improbable postseason run had ended last spring, G.M. Jim Rutherford approached defenseman Bret Hedican, a midseason acquisition who had become one of the club's steadiest blueliners, and asked if the free-agent-to-be was interested in returning to Carolina. "I told Jim, 'If you keep this team together, I'm willing to stay; if not, I'll look for other options,'" says Hedican, who subsequently re-signed for $18 million over six years. "I was straight with him, and he was straight with me. Jim basically signed everybody in this dressing room."

In a bank-busting display of largesse, Rutherford locked up free agents Hedican and center Ron Francis (two years, $11 million) and bestowed substantial raises on wingers Jeff O'Neill (two years, $7 million) and Sami Kapanen (one year, $3 million), and defenseman Aaron Ward (four years, $7.5 million). By preserving the club's nucleus, Rutherford announced to the team's fans and the rest of the NHL that the Hurricanes, surprise Cup finalists, would not be one-hit wonders. "Our players were successful, and they had to be paid accordingly," Rutherford says, in justifying a payroll that increased from $33.5 million last season to $37.9 million. "This team deserved to stay together."

The 32-year-old Hedican is a nimble skater who fits perfectly into coach Paul Maurice's neutral-zone trap. Chided throughout his career for not becoming a stronger offensive player, Hedican was thrilled to learn, upon his arrival last January, that Maurice's blueliners are expected only to tend to their own end. "It was like a weight had been lifted," Hedican says. "I don't have to force things offensively, just play good, solid D."

The defense's role is made simpler by the balanced scoring from three lines, anchored by Francis, O'Neill and second-line center Rod Brind'Amour. The Hurricanes expect improved production from second-year winger Erik Cole, who scored 16 goals and led the team with 257 hits, and rookie Jaroslav Svoboda, who has the best hands on the club.

Having committed to about $45 million in new contracts this summer, Carolina is in position to make another Cup run. "They were good contracts for our team," says Maurice. "After you go to the finals, you've got no choice."

Issue date: October 14, 2002