The Canes are expected to be near the top of the Metropolitan Division this season.
Star-laden teams are used to being under pressure.
No team in the Metropolitan Division will be under more pressure, however, than the Carolina Hurricanes this season.
Since reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2019, the Canes have never advanced past the second round, losing to the New York Rangers in two of the last three years.
Coach Rod Brind'Amour is squarely on the hot seat this year, and the core of Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Andrei Svechnikov will be looking to break through the wall.
Losing Brett Pesce to New Jersey and Brady Skjei will hurt, but the additions of Sean Walker and bottom-six ace William Carrier should help to make up some of the difference.
In getting Carrier, the Canes also get some help in depth scoring, which is what they've been lacking in recent years.
Utah HC has some depth scoring on their side, like Alex Kerfoot, Mattias Maccelli, and Michael Carcone, along with new signing Kevin Stenlund, which could tip the scale slightly in favor of the new expansion club.
That said, Carolina still has plenty of experience on its side, and this could make for a very interesting matchup if it remains close down the stretch.
Expect the Canes to come out swinging; they have a chip on their shoulder this year and are out to let everyone hear about it.
For more on opponents from the Metro and how lineups could look, start here: