The Hurricanes are back in the playoffs!

Carolina Hurricanes

2012-13 Record: 27-44-11 (65 pts)

2014-14 Record: 43-27-11 (97 pts) 1 game left

The Carolina Hurricanes finished 2012-13 season dead last, the Hurricanes were looking to make a lot of changes. GM Cameron Grewal started off by hiring coach John Tortorella.  In the entry draft, Carolina kept the 2^nd overall pick to select Seth Jones, in the 3^rd round picked Frank Corrado, and in the last rounds took Josh Archibald, Dylan Demelo, Matej Stransky, and Mike Reilly. In the off-season, the Hurricanes made deals for Corey Crawford, Danny Heatley, Dmitry Kulikov, and Patrick Wiercioch. In free agency the hurricanes were the most active team. The current roster players that were signed from free agency include Derek Morris, John Erskine, Ryan Garbutt, Jason Chimera, Blake Comeau.

As the season progressed, GM Grewal made the decision to sell Brandon Dubinsky for prospects and a pick because the team was not in playoff position. However Saku Koivu was picked up on waivers and the club went on to win 13 games in 14 games . GM Grewal made deals for Marcel Goc, Tyler Ennis, David Booth, Wade Redden, Alex Kilron, Tyson Strachan, Roman Polak, and Dan Cleary. With Koivu's great chemistry with Semin, It was a shock to see Koivu dealt to the Leafs. Th Hurricanes made a trade after that for R.J. Umberger since he will have nice rating next year and not a free agent this year.

In a conclusion, the Hurricanes are making the playoffs for the first time in 5 years and hoping to get their first playoff win in franchise history. The Hurrricanes have not sold the farm or future to make the playoffs. Alex Semin, Corey Crawford, Christian Ehrhoff had career years for the Hurricanes. The crowds in Raleigh, North Carolina are excited to see their team back in the playoffs. Alex Semin, 99 points so far this season, promises to finally give the fans something to cheer about come playoff time.

Biggest acquisition: Dmitry Kulikov

Best Trade: To Carolina- Corey Crawford, Toni Rajala, to New York Islanders Brian Elliott, T.J. Brennan, Petr Straka

Worst Trade: To Carolina- David Steckel, Matt Lashoff, 5^th rounder, to Buffalo- Robyn Regehr

Most Underrated Trade: To Carolina- Alexander Burmistrov, to Bruins Hurricanes 3^rd round pick