# 2007–08 Carolina Hurricanes season

The 2007–08 Carolina Hurricanes season began October 3, 2007. It was the franchise's 36th season, 29th season in the National Hockey League (NHL) and 10th as the Hurricanes.
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
* The 2007 NHL Entry Draft took place in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22–23.
* The free agency period began on July 1.

## Regular season

The Hurricanes had the most power-play opportunities of all 30 NHL teams, with 420.

### Divisional standings

Southeast Division :
| | | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | y – Washington Capitals | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 242 | 231 | 94 |
| 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 252 | 249 | 92 |
| 3 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 38 | 35 | 9 | 216 | 226 | 85 |
| 4 | Atlanta Thrashers | 82 | 34 | 40 | 8 | 216 | 272 | 76 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 31 | 42 | 9 | 223 | 267 | 71 |

### Conference standings

Eastern Conference :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | z – Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 47 | 25 | 10 | 262 | 222 | 104 |
| 2 | y – Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 27 | 8 | 247 | 216 | 102 |
| 3 | y – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 242 | 231 | 94 |
| 4 | New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 46 | 29 | 7 | 206 | 197 | 99 |
| 5 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 213 | 199 | 97 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 248 | 233 | 95 |
| 7 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 261 | 247 | 94 |
| 8 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 212 | 222 | 94 |
| 8.5 ||||||||||
| 9 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 252 | 249 | 92 |
| 10 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 39 | 31 | 12 | 255 | 242 | 90 |
| 11 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 38 | 35 | 9 | 216 | 226 | 85 |
| 12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 231 | 260 | 83 |
| 13 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 35 | 38 | 9 | 194 | 243 | 79 |
| 14 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 34 | 40 | 8 | 216 | 272 | 76 |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 31 | 42 | 9 | 223 | 267 | 71 |
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

## Schedule and results
### October

Record: 7–3–3; Home: 3–1–1; Road: 4–2–2
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 1 | October 3 | Montreal | 3 – 2 | Carolina | OT | Ward | 18,680 | 0–0–1 | 1 |
| 2 | October 5 | Pittsburgh | 1 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 17,816 | 1–0–1 | 3 |
| 3 | October 6 | Carolina | 0 – 2 | Washington | | Grahame | 16,741 | 1–1–1 | 3 |
| 4 | October 9 | Carolina | 7 – 1 | Toronto | | Ward | 19,224 | 2–1–1 | 5 |
| 5 | October 11 | Carolina | 5 – 3 | Ottawa | | Ward | 18,268 | 3–1–1 | 7 |
| 6 | October 13 | Carolina | 3 – 1 | Montreal | | Ward | 21,273 | 4–1–1 | 9 |
| 7 | October 19 | Carolina | 3 – 4 | Pittsburgh | SO | Ward | 17,132 | 4–1–2 | 10 |
| 8 | October 20 | Carolina | 2 – 3 | Philadelphia | OT | Grahame | 19,615 | 4–1–3 | 11 |
| 9 | October 22 | Vancouver | 1 – 3 | Carolina | | Ward | 15,532 | 5–1–3 | 13 |
| 10 | October 24 | Buffalo | 2 – 6 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,058 | 6–1–3 | 15 |
| 11 | October 26 | Montreal | 7 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,796 | 6–2–3 | 15 |
| 12 | October 27 | Carolina | 8 – 3 | NY Islanders | | Grahame | 13,136 | 7–2–3 | 17 |
| 13 | October 31 | Carolina | 2 – 4 | Florida | | Ward | 10,063 | 7–3–3 | 17 |

### November

Record: 7–6–0; Home: 5–4–0; Road: 2–2–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 14 | November 3 | Florida | 2 – 4 | Carolina | Grahame | 17,547 | 8–3–3 | 19 |
| 15 | November 5 | Washington | 0 – 5 | Carolina | Ward | 12,171 | 9–3–3 | 21 |
| 16 | November 8 | Tampa Bay | 5 – 1 | Carolina | Ward | 14,017 | 9–4–3 | 21 |
| 17 | November 10 | Carolina | 5 – 3 | Atlanta | Ward | 18,545 | 10–4–3 | 23 |
| 18 | November 12 | Carolina | 4 – 3 | Florida | Ward | 12,715 | 11–4–3 | 25 |
| 19 | November 14 | Carolina | 1 – 6 | Florida | Grahame | 17,444 | 11–5–3 | 25 |
| 20 | November 16 | Atlanta | 3 – 0 | Carolina | Ward | 14,632 | 11–6–3 | 25 |
| 21 | November 17 | Florida | 1 – 2 | Carolina | Ward | 16,962 | 12–6–3 | 27 |
| 22 | November 21 | Philadelphia | 6 – 3 | Carolina | Ward | 16,351 | 12–7–3 | 27 |
| 23 | November 23 | Tampa Bay | 3 – 4 | Carolina | Ward | 18,033 | 13–7–3 | 29 |
| 24 | November 24 | Carolina | 2 – 5 | Washington | Grahame | 13,650 | 13–8–3 | 29 |
| 25 | November 28 | Philadelphia | 3 – 1 | Carolina | Ward | 15,108 | 13–9–3 | 29 |
| 26 | November 30 | Washington | 3 – 4 | Carolina | Ward | 16,386 | 14–9–3 | 31 |

### December

Record: 5–10–0; Home: 2–3–0; Road: 3–7–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 27 | December 1 | Carolina | 1 – 8 | Buffalo | | Grahame | 18,690 | 14–10–3 | 31 |
| 28 | December 3 | Carolina | 4 – 0 | NY Rangers | | Ward | 18,200 | 15–10–3 | 33 |
| 29 | December 6 | Carolina | 1 – 2 | Tampa Bay | | Ward | 16,674 | 15–11–3 | 33 |
| 30 | December 8 | Carolina | 5 – 1 | Montreal | | Ward | 21,273 | 16–11–3 | 35 |
| 31 | December 9 | Carolina | 2 – 5 | Detroit | | Ward | 19,609 | 16–12–3 | 35 |
| 32 | December 12 | Ottawa | 6 – 0 | Carolina | | Ward | 15,268 | 16–13–3 | 35 |
| 33 | December 14 | Calgary | 4 – 3 | Carolina | | Ward | 15,536 | 16–14–3 | 35 |
| 34 | December 15 | Carolina | 6 – 5 | Philadelphia | SO | Grahame | 19,460 | 17–14–3 | 37 |
| 35 | December 18 | Toronto | 2 – 3 | Carolina | OT | Grahame | 17,045 | 18–14–3 | 39 |
| 36 | December 20 | Carolina | 4 – 5 | Florida | | Grahame | 15,061 | 18–15–3 | 39 |
| 37 | December 22 | Carolina | 4 – 1 | Tampa Bay | | Ward | 18,765 | 19–15–3 | 41 |
| 38 | December 26 | Carolina | 2 – 4 | NY Rangers | | Ward | 18,200 | 19–16–3 | 41 |
| 39 | December 28 | Boston | 3 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 18,680 | 20–16–3 | 43 |
| 40 | December 29 | Carolina | 1 – 4 | Columbus | | Ward | 17,453 | 20–17–3 | 43 |
| 41 | December 31 | NY Islanders | 4 – 1 | Carolina | | Grahame | 17,091 | 20–18–3 | 43 |

### January

Record: 6–6–1; Home: 3–3–1; Road: 3–3–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 42 | January 2 | Atlanta | 5 – 4 | Carolina | OT | Ward | 13,506 | 20–18–4 | 44 |
| 43 | January 4 | Carolina | 4 – 3 | Atlanta | | Leighton | 16,097 | 21–18–4 | 46 |
| 44 | January 5 | Carolina | 0 – 1 | St. Louis | | Leighton | 19,150 | 21–19–4 | 46 |
| 45 | January 8 | Carolina | 1 – 0 | Boston | | Ward | 14,549 | 22–19–4 | 48 |
| 46 | January 10 | New Jersey | 4 – 1 | Carolina | | Ward | 17,173 | 22–20–4 | 48 |
| 47 | January 12 | Colorado | 5 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 18,680 | 22–21–4 | 48 |
| 48 | January 15 | Carolina | 4 – 5 | Toronto | | Ward | 19,444 | 22–22–4 | 48 |
| 49 | January 17 | Carolina | 1 – 5 | Ottawa | | Ward | 19,720 | 22–23–4 | 48 |
| 50 | January 18 | Edmonton | 2 – 7 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,868 | 23–23–4 | 50 |
| 51 | January 21 | Carolina | 3 – 2 | NY Islanders | OT | Ward | 16,234 | 24–23–4 | 52 |
| 52 | January 22 | NY Islanders | 6 – 3 | Carolina | | Ward | 15,675 | 24–24–4 | 52 |
| 53 | January 29 | NY Rangers | 1 – 3 | Carolina | | Ward | 17,793 | 25–24–4 | 54 |
| 54 | January 31 | Toronto | 2 – 3 | Carolina | OT | Ward | 15,159 | 26–24–4 | 56 |

### February

Record: 7–5–1; Home: 5–1–1; Road: 2–4–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 55 | February 2 | Carolina | 1 – 4 | Pittsburgh | | Ward | 17,058 | 26–25–4 | 56 |
| 56 | February 5 | Carolina | 0 – 1 | Nashville | | Ward | 13,949 | 26–26–4 | 56 |
| 57 | February 8 | Carolina | 2 – 1 | Washington | | Ward | 18,204 | 27–26–4 | 58 |
| 58 | February 9 | Carolina | 1 – 6 | New Jersey | | Ward | 16,257 | 27–27–4 | 58 |
| 59 | February 12 | Carolina | 3 – 2 | Boston | | Ward | 15,300 | 28–27–4 | 60 |
| 60 | February 14 | Pittsburgh | 2 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 14,922 | 29–27–4 | 62 |
| 61 | February 16 | Florida | 5 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 17,737 | 30–27–4 | 64 |
| 62 | February 18 | Carolina | 1 – 5 | New Jersey | | Grahame | 16,182 | 30–28–4 | 64 |
| 63 | February 19 | Boston | 3 – 2 | Carolina | SO | Ward | 17,552 | 30–28–5 | 65 |
| 64 | February 21 | Atlanta | 3 – 5 | Carolina | | Ward | 13,548 | 31–28–5 | 67 |
| 65 | February 23 | Washington | 3 – 6 | Carolina | | Ward | 18,680 | 32–28–5 | 69 |
| 66 | February 26 | New Jersey | 1 – 2 | Carolina | OT | Ward | 15,466 | 33–28–5 | 71 |
| 67 | February 28 | NY Rangers | 4 – 2 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,041 | 33–29–5 | 71 |

### March

Record: 9–2–1; Home: 5–0–1; Road: 4–2–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 68 | March 1 | Tampa Bay | 1 – 5 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,831 | 34–29–5 | 73 |
| 69 | March 5 | Carolina | 6 – 3 | Atlanta | | Ward | 13,032 | 35–29–5 | 75 |
| 70 | March 6 | Minnesota | 2 – 3 | Carolina | | Ward | 16,297 | 36–29–5 | 77 |
| 71 | March 8 | Buffalo | 3 – 4 | Carolina | | Ward | 18,808 | 37–29–5 | 79 |
| 72 | March 12 | Carolina | 3 – 0 | Chicago | | Ward | 18,210 | 38–29–5 | 81 |
| 73 | March 14 | Carolina | 1 – 7 | Buffalo | | Ward | 18,690 | 38–30–5 | 81 |
| 74 | March 16 | Ottawa | 1 – 5 | Carolina | | Ward | 18,680 | 39–30–5 | 83 |
| 75 | March 19 | Carolina | 5 – 3 | Atlanta | | Ward | 13,251 | 40–30–5 | 85 |
| 76 | March 20 | Carolina | 2 – 1 | Florida | SO | Ward | 18,546 | 41–30–5 | 87 |
| 77 | March 25 | Washington | 3 – 2 | Carolina | SO | Ward | 18,680 | 41–30–6 | 88 |
| 78 | March 28 | Atlanta | 1 – 7 | Carolina | | Ward | 17,833 | 42–30–6 | 90 |
| 79 | March 29 | Carolina | 1 – 2 | Tampa Bay | | Ward | 19,311 | 42-31-6 | 90 |

### April

Record: 1–2–0; Home: 1–1–0; Road: 0–1–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 80 | April 1 | Carolina | 1 – 4 | Washington | Ward | 18,277 | 42-32-6 | 90 |
| 81 | April 2 | Tampa Bay | 2 – 6 | Carolina | Ward | 17,644 | 43-32-6 | 92 |
| 82 | April 4 | Florida | 4 – 3 | Carolina | Ward | 18,680 | 43-33-6 | 92 |

## Playoffs

The Hurricanes missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. They are the first team to miss the playoffs twice in a row after winning the Stanley Cup since the 1922 Toronto St. Patricks.

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
Regular season :
| Top 10 Players | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| Eric Staal | 82 | 38 | 44 | 82 | -2 | 50 |
| Ray Whitney | 66 | 25 | 36 | 61 | -6 | 30 |
| Rod Brind'Amour | 59 | 19 | 32 | 51 | 0 | 38 |
| Erik Cole | 73 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 5 | 76 |
| Matt Cullen | 59 | 13 | 36 | 49 | 2 | 32 |
| Joe Corvo | 74 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 17 | 26 |
| Sergei Samsonov | 61 | 14 | 22 | 36 | -1 | 16 |
| Scott Walker | 58 | 14 | 18 | 32 | -3 | 115 |
| Tuomo Ruutu | 77 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 4 | 91 |
| Justin Williams | 37 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 2 | 43 |

### Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; MIN = Time on ice (minutes); GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; SO = Shutouts; SA = Saves; GA = Goals allowed; SV%= Save percentage
Regular season :
| Player | GP | MIN | GAA | W | L | OT | SO | SA | GA | SV% |
| Cam Ward | 69 | 3930 | 2.75 | 37 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 1870 | 180 | .904 |
| John Grahame | 17 | 848 | 3.75 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 424 | 53 | .875 |
| Michael Leighton | 3 | 158 | 2.66 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 7 | .897 |

## Awards and records
### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Bret Hedican | 800th NHL PIM | October 26, 2007 |
| Rod Brind'Amour | 1000th NHL PIM | October 27, 2007 |
| Craig Adams | 400th NHL Game | October 31, 2007 |
| Glen Wesley | 1000th NHL PIM | October 31, 2007 |

## Transactions

The Hurricanes have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.
Trades :
| Date | Hurricanes Receive | From | For |
| June 23, 2007 | Michael Leighton | Montreal Canadiens | 192nd Overall Pick in 2007 |
| July 17, 2007 | Matt Cullen | New York Rangers | Andrew Hutchinson Joe Barnes 3rd Round Pick in 2008 |
| January 17, 2008 | Future Considerations | Chicago Blackhawks | Craig Adams |
| January 31, 2008 | Joe Jensen | Pittsburgh Penguins | David Gove |
| February 7, 2008 | Future Considerations | San Jose Sharks | J. D. Forrest |
| February 11, 2008 | Joe Corvo Patrick Eaves | Ottawa Senators | Mike Commodore Cory Stillman |
| February 26, 2008 | Tuomo Ruutu | Chicago Blackhawks | Andrew Ladd |
Free agents :
| Player | Former Team |
| Wade Brookbank | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Jeff Hamilton | Chicago Blackhawks |
| David Tanabe | Boston Bruins |

## Draft picks

Carolina's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio. The Hurricanes have the 11th overall pick.
| Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 11 | Brandon Sutter | C/W | Canada | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 3 | 72 | Drayson Bowman | C/RW | United States | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| 4 | 102 | Justin McCrae | C | Canada | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 5 | 132 | Chris Terry | LW | Canada | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 6 | 162 | Brett Bellemore | D | Canada | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |

## Farm teams
### American Hockey League

The Albany River Rats are the Hurricanes American Hockey League affiliate for the 2007–08 AHL season.

### ECHL

The Florida Everblades are the Hurricanes ECHL affiliate.