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This story is part of ESPN The Magazine's Oct. 12 Owners Issue. Subscribe today! Carolina Hurricanes Overall: 78
Title track: 30
Ownership: 93
Coaching: 70
Players: 113
Fan relations: 67
Affordability: 55
Stadium experience: 66
Bang for the buck: 68
Change from last year: -15 It appears the further the Carolina Hurricanes get from 2006, the year they won their first and only Stanley Cup, the more they fall in our rankings (they've dropped each of the past six years). This year, after a last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, Carolina fell 15 spots to 78th overall.
What's goodOnly that 2006 title -- and the eternal optimism that it won't be the only one -- keeps the Canes in the top third of all franchises in title track. (Of course, the honeymoon is close to, if not already, over as fans voted Carolina third from last in the NHL in "consistently winning more games than they lose.") In the meantime, the Canes try to keep their fans happy with ticket prices that are just below the league average, and reasonable prices for beers, hot dogs and parking (55th in affordability). The club also is trying to improve its stadium experience (66th) by hosting its 16th annual Caniac Carnival, a fan zone at PNC Arena with free admission and parking and discounted food and beverages.
What's badUnfortunately, the past only counts for so much, and fans are fed up with the Canes' current roster (113th in players, the third-worst mark in NHL). The 2012 offseason reunion between brothers Jordan and Eric Staal (who currently awaits a new deal) brought a certain charm to the Carolina roster, but that has clearly worn off. That said, since these votes were cast in July, Carolina made a big move in a trade with the 2015 Stanley Cup champions, swapping several players with the Blackhawks in acquiring veteran forward Kris Versteeg -- a key player in Chicago's two title runs in 2010 and 2015.
What's newCarolina's coaching jumped with the hiring of Bill Peters, who raised the Canes' ranking by a whopping 47 places in his first NHL head-coaching job. Of course, having retired Carolina legend Ron Francis as general manager doesn't hurt fans' opinion of personnel. Ownership didn't fare as well -- Peter Karmanos fell 20 places, in part because fans ranked the Canes worst in the NHL in "willingness to pay to attract quality players and coaches." The Versteeg trade should help that perspective, though whether the Canes can achieve what will help most remains to be seen. Next: Philadelphia Flyers | Full rankings
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