The Carolina Hurricanes logo is a red, black and white swirl of a massive storm cell, with a black hole a puck perhaps? in the eye of the storm.

It's not a bad look, really, and it has an unintended dual meaning. Not only does it speak to the nickname of the club and storms that annually batter the coast, but it represents how the hockey club tends to work in Raleigh.

There's something cozy about being in the middle of the Hurricane for lots of players and coaches.

Sergei Samsonov had just about played his way out of the league before he ended up in Carolina. Erik Cole was mostly a bum in Edmonton, but bounced right back into form when he was traded back to Raleigh at the trade deadline.

Jussi Jokinen looked like nothing more than a shootout specialist before he donned the black and red. Tuomo Ruutu and Matt Cullen have been only so-so players at other NHL stops, but they're studs in Carolina. Dennis Seidenberg looked like an eighth or ninth defenseman in Phoenix and Philadelphia. He put up 30 points this season.

And how can we forget coach Paul Maurice? After a failed run in Toronto, he returned to the vortex that is the Research Triangle, turned around the Hurricanes and guided them all the way to the Eastern Conference Final.

We could go on and on, here. But why question it? GM Jim Rutherford, the grand wizard, just makes it work somehow.

FORWARDS

The Hurricanes have seven NHL-level forwards signed through at least next season Eric Staal, Rod Brind'Amour, Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen, Sergei Samsonov, Scott Walker and Patrick Eaves. Price tag: $24.708.

It's hard to imagine this group changing much heading into next season, although there are four free agent contracts to work out this summer.

Ruutu and Jokinen are restricted free agents, and both are due large raises based on their performances in the regular season (Ruutu) and post-season (Jokinen).

Cole, along with Chad LaRose and Ryan Bayda, are unrestricted free agents. The Canes want to keep Cole. LaRose looked like a goner before he had a very good post-season.

Brind'Amour, who had a brutal season sparking talk that his prime has passed, already has said he plans to return.

The players coming back provide a very solid nucleus. Staal is a 40-goal scorer, a behemoth down the middle. Whitney now with 811 points remains a sneaky scorer on the wing, a true sniper. There's speed and skill and scoring touch throughout this group.

DEFENSE

The Hurricanes have six NHL-level defensemen under contract through at least next season Joni Pitkanen, Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo, Frantisek Kaberle, Niclas Wallin and Tim Conboy. Total: $13.537

This is the one spot on the roster due a major overhaul, but that won't be easy for Rutherford.

Pitkanen is a fine player, who still has a bright upside. Gleason and Corvo appear solid, too, but there is a need on the roster for one or two bruising, stay-at-home types.

The 'Canes have been shopping Kaberle for sometime now, but can't find any takers. They'd love to move Wallin along, too, but the interest is marginal.

Conboy is a support player, nothing more.

A year after patching a blue line together to cover the losses of retiring veterans Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley, Rutherford would like to rework this group again.

GOALTENDERS

Cam Ward is the clear-cut No. 1, and Michael Leighton his back-up heading into next season. Total: $4.1 million.

The Canes were starting to get worried about Ward, and who could blame them?

But after two poor, inconsistent seasons, Ward bounced back in a big way, playing perhaps the biggest role of all in helping the 'Canes get one step from the Stanley Cup.

Ward faces another big season in 2009-10, as it's a contract year. He's making $3.5 million, which is a fair sum. With another campaign like the one he just finished, that could double.

Young Justin Peters is an RFA whom the Hurricanes will no doubt keep in the fold.

BIG PICTURE

The Hurricanes have 15 players signed for next season at $42.345 million.

Once they resign Cole, LaRose, Bayda, Ruutu and Jokinen, a lot of that $14 million (roughly) will be gone.

So the best way to a rebuilt defensive corps might be via trades. The Canes are pretty much set at forward if they get those players resigned. They're set in goal. They could use one or two thumpers on the back end, but they'll need to part ways with Kaberle and Wallin to make it happen.

NEXT WAVE

This probably won't reach shore until 2010-11, when Whitney, Cullen and Walker all have their contracts expire.

But the 'Canes have lots of help on the way.

Center Zach Boychuk (14th overall in 2008) and center Brandon Sutter (11th overall in 2007) are the top two prospects, but left winger Drayson Bowman, defenseman Jamie McBain and goaltender Justin Peters could be challenging for full-time roles within the next couple of seasons, too. Don't forget about Ohio State product Zac Dalpe, either.

The Hurricanes own the 27th overall pick in the 2009 entry draft, later this month in Montreal.

OUTLOOK

As long as Ward plays like a franchise goaltender and Staal keeps developing as one of the NHL's premier pivots, the Hurricanes will have the DNA of a pretty good NHL club.

It's important to note, however, that Ward has been at this level before, and he didn't respond well. Has he learned from the previous two seasons? Was this season a fluke? We shall see.

It's also worth noting that Whitney and Brind'Amour are getting up there in age. The 2010-11 season could be their final kick at the Cup.

Rutherford's toughest call this summer may be behind his bench. Maurice replaced coach Peter Laviolette in December, returning to the club he called home for eight seasons in the late 90s and early 2000s. It worked wonders, as they Hurricanes took off under Maurice.

But the interim tag still hangs next to Maurice's name. Rutherford is said to be considering assistant coach Ron Francis for the post, too. It's a tough call.

If Rutherford plays his cards right, there's no reason the Hurricanes can't be a playoff club next season, too.