As December 1998 was wound down, the Carolina Hurricanes were treading water at 16-14-5. They had made a splash in the offseason, bringing Ron Francis back to the franchise that he had broken into the league with. The signing came less than seven months after the team failed to bring in Detroit superstar Sergei Fedorov via an offer sheet.
The Hurricanes had experienced a whirlwind (pun absolutely intended) of activity, though their on-ice success couldn’t compare to the headlines. The only thing keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive was their inclusion in the newly formed Southeast Division.