Owning an NHL record most would despise, Ron Hainsey tasted postseason hockey for the first time in 2017 and reached the top of the mountain in his first try.
For the small price of a mid-round draft pick, the Hurricanes looked like geniuses when one of their deadline acquisitions came out of the gates on fire.
While the captain is almost certain to break a few ties and records this year, the team's superstar needs to do something he's never done in his career.
After trading Cole away before the season, the Hurricanes re-acquired him months later, but they lost a major piece while finishing their three-team deal.
The Carolina Hurricanes used a rare negotiation tactic to secure a blockbuster trade, avoiding a roster hit while sending a clear signal about their ambitions.
In what might go down as the best player-for-player swap in team history, the Hurricanes made out beautifully when they entered an agreement with Minnesota.