2010-11 Record: 40-31-11, 91 points (3rd Southeast Division; 9th Eastern Conference; did not qualify for the playoffs)
Bruins record vs. Hurricanes: Boston leads the all-time series 95-65-16-2 and won three of the four meetings last year, including a 7-0 rout at the Garden on Jan. 17 that featured Zdeno Chara's first hat trick. The Bruins completed the home-and-home sweep the next day with a 3-2 win in Carolina, and also won a 3-2 decision in Carolina on Feb. 1. The Hurricanes' only win in the series was a 3-0 victory the day after Thanksgiving in Boston.
When to watch: Boston hosts the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Feb. 2, and will travel to Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 14.
Familiar faces: Bruins short-timer Tomas Kaberle struggled in Boston after arriving at the trade deadline, but that didn't dissuade the Hurricanes from giving him a three-year, $12.75-million deal in free agency. Carolina also signed Woonsocket, R.I., native Brian Boucher to back up Cam Ward in goal. In addition, Carolina has Boston College defenseman Brian Dumoulin (Biddeford, Maine) in the pipeline after drafting him in the second round in 2009.
Key additions: D Tomas Kaberle (free agent); G Brian Boucher (free agent); F Alexei Ponikarovsky (free agent); F Anthony Stewart (free agent); F Tim Brent (free agent); F Justin Soryal (free agent); F Chris Durno (free agent)
Key losses: F Erik Cole (signed with Montreal); D Joe Corvo (traded to Boston); F Cory Stillman (free agent); F Troy Bodie (free agent); D Bryan Rodney (signed with Anaheim)
Burning question: Will Kaberle be a better fit in Carolina than he was in Boston?
Kaberle struggled mightily upon his arrival to Boston in February, but his play did pick up as the postseason wore on, albeit with his minutes reduced. Kaberle might have performed better this season with a full training camp to complete the adjustment to Claude Julien's system, but the Bruins weren't willing to commit the kind of money and years it would have required to retain him. Kaberle instead moves south to Carolina on a three-year deal with a $4.25-million cap hit identical to his previous contract. While it's a risky move by the Hurricanes to bank on the 33-year-old defenseman to return to his Toronto form, there are a few reasons for optimism. Kaberle will be reunited with his former Toronto coach, Paul Maurice, whose system he has excelled in before. Kaberle might also benefit from getting away from the spotlight of playing in Toronto and Boston, and he'll have some decent help around him on the blue line with Joni Pitkanen and Tim Gleason. Will that be enough to make this change of scenery work out better than his last one?
2011-12 outlook: While Kaberle will be counted upon to help shore up the defense, the key to Carolina's fortunes comes from an offense led by captain Eric Staal (33-43-76 last year) and reigning rookie of the year winner Jeff Skinner (31-32-63), as well as Ward's play in goal. Staal and Skinner are supported by Tuomo Ruttu (19-38-57) and Jussi Jokinen (19-33-52), but the Hurricanes will miss Cole (26-26-52), who signed with Montreal this offseason. Ponikarovsky was added in free agency to help fill that void, but Carolina may still lack some size and grit up front. Ward (37-26-10, 2.56 GAA, .923 save percentage) will be counted upon to carry the 'Canes, with Boucher brought in to provide some support after Ward led the league with 74 starts last season.
Did you know? While the first generation of Sutters was dispersed throughout the NHL as the original six Sutter brothers spent time with 12 different NHL teams, the next generation has joined forces in Carolina. Brandon Sutter, son of current Calgary coach Brent Sutter, was the Hurricanes' first-round pick in 2007, while Brett Sutter joined the Carolina organization this past season when he was traded to the Hurricanes by his own father, then Calgary GM Darryl Sutter. The Hurricanes then added Brody Sutter, son of Duane Sutter, to the fold when they selected him in the seventh round of this year's draft.
With the bulk of the offseason moves complete and the start of another NHL season inching closer, NESN.com Bruins beat writer Douglas Flynn will be previewing one team from each conference every day through August 26.
Tuesday, August 15: Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues
Thursday, August 18: Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars