What I'm Expecting Out of the Hurricanes This Season

        This off-season, we saw teams make acquisitions that shook the entire landscape of the National Hockey League. Teams like the Minnesota Wild (signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter) and the New York Rangers (traded for Rick Nash) come to mind when thinking about teams that made big splashes this summer, but a team that cannot be overlooked when talking about big moves this summer is the Carolina Hurricanes. At the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in late June, the Carolina Hurricanes traded promising forward Brandon Sutter, a prospect, and a 2012 first round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for center Jordan Staal. I like this move a lot for the Hurricanes, as I believe bringing in Jordan will help his own overall game, but it will also help his brother Eric, the captain of the Hurricanes, to rebound off of a disappointing season last year. Shortly after the trade, the Hurricanes locked up Jordan Staal to a ten year, $60,000,000, setting up the 1-2 punch at center of the Staal brothers for years to come.
        Late in June, it was announced that the Hurricanes signed former Washington Capitals winger Alexander Semin to a one year contract worth $7,000,000. While I believe Semin is being overpaid, I like this deal for both parties. It gives both sides the opportunity to experiment with each other, to see if Semin meshes well with the group the Hurricanes have. Semin, known player with the skills to be a superstar in the NHL, has the reputation of being an enigma. The amount of effort that he gives is often questioned, which is why he was not signed until roughly three weeks after the free agency season began. If Semin fits in well on Carolina, they can sign him to long term. And if not, they will not be stuck with him for a long time. I'm expecting Semin to have a great season, posting around 70 points, with the Hurricanes signing him to a long term extension next off-season. 
        Along with these acquisitions, the Hurricanes also brought back offensive defenseman Joe Corvo for his third stint in Carolina. Also, the Hurricanes signed teenage sensation Jeff Skinner to a six year contract extension. And let's not forget about superstar goaltender Cam Ward, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006, when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. With Ward in goal, Carolina has the opportunity to be a perennial playoff team. As a team, I am expecting a strong season from the Hurricanes, ending up with them making the playoffs in one of the bottom four seeds. That would be a step up for them, as they came in 12th in the Eastern Conference last season. Not only will the Hurricanes be in contention to make the playoffs this season, but they will be contenders for years to come.