All-Time Carolina Hurricanes Roster: The Best of the Canes

After 12 years in North Carolina, after being transferred from Hartford, Connecticut, the Hurricanes have seen it all.

Superstars to draft pick surprises, trade jewels to trade busts, the Carolina Hurricanes have been filled with talented players and memorable moments.

They've won Stanley Cups, Eastern Conference finals, and many division titles. They've sparked fantastic comebacks, but given up big leads, too. They've scored last-second goals, but also fallen in the closing minute. They've had winning runs and losing streaks.

But that's happen to a lot of NHL teams. So what makes the 'Canes special?

The players, of course.

In this slideshow, I will show the best players in the last 12 years (1997-Today) who gave the most to the franchise; the scoring leaders, tough hitters, and goaltenders.

It's time to declare the All-Time Roster (12 forwards, six defense, two goaltender) for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Line One: Eric Staal, Jeff O'Neill, Ron Francis

ERIC STAAL
Career Statistics with Carolina: 167 goals (23 game winners), 198 assists
Years with Carolina: 2003-Today

Eric Staal is just 26, but he's already contributed more to the Hurricanes than any other player, and is on track to becoming one of the greatest NHL players of the 21st century.

JEFF O'NEILL
Career Statistics with Carolina: 176 goals (35 GW), 183 assists
Years with Carolina: 1997-2004

Jeff O'Neill was the soul of the Hurricanes for much of their first seven years in North Carolina. O'Neill's work ethic, scoring touch, and excellent skill gave him a place among the best of the RBC Center.

RON FRANCIS
Career Statistics with Carolina: 118 goals (17 GW), 236 assists
Years With Carolina: 1998-2004

Ron Francis' jersey is the only one retired for the Hurricanes, and he definitely deserves it. Currently an assistant coach for Carolina, Francis' play, on and off the ice, give him a great place in the Hurricanes organization.

Line Two: Rod Brind'Amour, Ray Whitney, Sami Kapanen

ROD BRIND'AMOUR
Career Statistics with Carolina: 167 goals (27 game winners), 295 assists
Years with Carolina: 1999-Today

Brind'Amour's career may be winding down, but he's set his place in stone among the greatest captains in the NHL.

RAY WHITNEY
Career Statistics with Carolina: 104 goals (14 GW), 187 assists
Years with Carolina: 2005-Today

Whitney only joined the Hurricanes in 2005, but already eclipsed 100 goals and is closing in on 200 assists.

SAMI KAPANEN
Career Statistics with Carolina: 127 goals (26 GW), 187 assists
Years with Carolina: 1997-2003

Sami Kapanen's contribution on both ends of the ice was one of the centerpieces during the early Hurricane years.

Line Three: Erik Cole, Justin Williams, Matt Cullen

ERIK COLE
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 134 goals (24 game winners), 166 assists
Years with Carolina: 2001-2008, 2009-Today

Erik Cole's contribution to the 'Canes reached 300 points this week, setting his place in Carolina history after returning to Carolina from Edmonton at the 2009 trade deadline.

JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 80 goals (12 GW), 120 assists
Years with Carolina: 2003-2009

Despite being traded last season for the return of Erik Cole, Williams produced points when the Canes needed them most, finishing with exactly 200 points with the franchise.

MATT CULLEN
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 65 goals (8 GW), 89 assists
Years with Carolina: 2005-Today

Cullen's addition to the roster in 2005 has continued to pay off for the 'Canes, as Cullen's support in all areas of play have been used to keep the Hurricanes alive in games.

Line Four: Martin Gelinas, Josef Vasicek, Corey Stillman

MARTIN GELINAS
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 75 goals (11 GW), 89 assists
Years with Carolina: 1997-2002

Gelinas contribution to the Hurricanes, including on the penalty kill, in their early years was a big part of their early success as a relocated franchise.

JOSEF VASICEK
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 57 goals (9 GW), 78 assists
Years with Carolina: 2000-2007

During the earlier half of his career, Vasicek was a key player for the Hurricanes, his draft team, combining grit with finesse to become a key top-line forward.

CORY STILLMAN
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 47 goals (9 GW), 102 assists
Years with Carolina: 2005-2008

Despite only playing a couple seasons with the Hurricanes, Stillman was extremely productive as a scorer and playmaker.

Defensive Pairing One: Glen Wesley & Sean Hill

GLEN WESLEY
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 35 goals, 120 assists
Years with Carolina: 1997-2008

Glen Wesley was the key to the Hurricane defense for nearly all of the team's existence in Raleigh, and his hard playing style earned him a tough reputation among opponents.

SEAN HILL
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 38 goals, 119 assists
Years with Carolina: 1997-2004

Sean Hill's time with the Hurricanes was shorter than Wesley's, but Hill's remarkable combination of defensive skill, as well as an offense playmaker, put him atop the list of Hurricane's defensemen.

Defensive Pairing Two: Brett Hedican & Joe Corvo

BRETT HEDICAN
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 19 goals, 82 assists
Years with Carolina: 2001-2008

The grit of Brett Hedican gave him a fearsome top-pairing name for much of his time in North Carolina.

JOE CORVO
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 24 goals, 46 assists
Years with Carolina: 2008-today

Not yet a member of the Hurricanes for even two full years, Corvo's already established himself as a solid defensemen, as well as a power-play threat.

Defensive Pairing Three: Frantisek Kaberle & David Tanabe

FRANTISEK KABERLE
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 9 goals, 73 assists
Years with Carolina: 2005-2009

With his prime-time coming in the 2006 Hurricanes Stanley Cup run, Kaberle's puck-moving skills, as well as quick defensive maneuvering, sneak him into a spot on this slideshow.

DAVID TANABE
Career Statistics (w/ CAR): 21 goals, 61 assists
Years with Carolina: 1999-2003, 2006-2008

Although his career came to a disappointing end, Tanabes two tenures with Carolina both proved very productive for the Hurricanes organization.

Goaltender: Cam Ward

Career Statistics: .903 save percentage, 2.82 GAA, 12 shutouts
Record: 122-86-21
Years with Carolina: 2006-Today

There's no doubt in the minds of any Hurricanes follower that Cam Ward is by far the best goalie every to play for Carolina. Taking the Canes over in the playoffs, leading them to a Stanley Cup. and leading himself to a Vezina trophy in 2006, Cam Ward has been the leader of the team for several years, and will continue to be for many seasons to come.

Backup: Arturs Irbe (1997-2003)