The Carolina Hurricanes enter their next season with the weight of recent success—and the immediate pressure of defending their Stanley Cup title. As the only team in the league to win the championship last year, they now must prove they can sustain dominance in a highly competitive division. The hurdles ahead include maintaining chemistry, adapting to new opponents, and avoiding the common pitfall of back-to-back title defenses. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can build on its historic run.

The Carolina Hurricanes now face a new challenge: playing as reigning Stanley Cup champion  WRAL