http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=585515 Needing one win to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, the Carolina Hurricanes were unable to get it done on home ice in their regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While that was certainly a disappointment for owner Peter Karmanos Jr., he enters the 2011-12 campaign feeling confident the club can take it one step further following a busy off-season of maneuvering and managerial tinkering. "I really don't think we're that far away from being a Stanley Cup winner again," Karmanos told Chip Alexander of The News & Observer. "It's not like we don't have any star players or a good supporting cast. We have a great goalie. We have good forwards. We've strengthened our defense." Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford was certainly hard at work this summer, revamping his roster with the hope of snapping a two-year playoff hiatus. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, Carolina has missed the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. "That loss to Tampa Bay at the end of the season was not one of my brightest moments," Karmanos said. "But we played a lot of meaningful games at the end of the season, and at least we got to the last game with a chance. If we had gotten in the playoffs, I really think we'd have fared as well as Tampa." Rutherford wasted little time in taking care of some general housekeeping in early June, naming Rod Brind'Amour development coach and assistant to coach Paul Maurice. Additionally, Hockey Hall of Fame member Ron Francis was moved back in the front office as Director of Hockey Operations, while former NHL defenseman and coach Dave Lewis was added as an assistant coach and Tom Rowe as a professional scout.
