First Team
Cam Ward- There will be no-brainers for each team. This is the Hurricanes' biggest no-brainer. No goalie has played and won more games for Carolina, in the regular season or the postseason. He started strong his rookie season by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy and while he never reached those heights again, Ward rewrote the team's record book. He was honored as the first member of the Hurricanes Hall of Fame in 2022, cementing his legacy as the best goalie in franchise history. There's no one remotely close.
Justin Faulk- Throughout Hurricanes history, no defenseman has the goal-scoring numbers that Justin Faulk has. Since the turn of the century, Faulk has 35 more goals than the next closest defender, who happens to be the next man on my list. Until last season, Faulk had more points than any other defenseman, becoming the first in team history to reach 200 points. The three-time All-Star remains one of the gold standards for offensive defensemen in the organization's history. He waited a long time to reach the postseason with the team, scoring one of the most electric postseason goals in recent memory in 2019 against the Islanders.
Jaccob Slavin- The epitome of consistency on the back end for the Carolina Hurricanes since making his debut, there are few defensive defensemen in the league better than Jaccob Slavin. If he produced more points every season, Slavin would be a mainstay at the top of the Norris Trophy race. He has received votes for the Norris almost every season, including a fifth-place finish in 2020. The two-time Lady Byng winner draws the toughest assignment every night, rarely takes a penalty, and thrives with any partner he's with. Slavin is third in games played this century and will play many more after signing his long extension.
Sebastian Aho- Rod Brind'Amour stated after a game this season that Sebastian Aho is likely to be one of the best to ever put on a Canes sweater once his time in Raleigh has ended. A major part of the team's return to relevance, Aho is already surging up the regular season charts while becoming the team's most prolific scorer during their six straight postseason appearances. He's already one of the most popular names on the team, and he's going to be here for a long time.
Eric Staal- Statistically, there hasn't been a more dominant forward for the Hurricanes. His 45-goal, 100-point season in 2005-06, both of which are Hurricanes records, does some of the heavy lifting. Still, the former #2 pick and captain scored 775 points in 909 games, leading the team in most offensive categories. Some of his records, especially in the playoffs, have been surpassed by Aho, though Staal did all of his damage in two playoff appearances. His number will be hanging from the rafter on Sunday and his name will forever live on in Hurricanes history.
Rod Brind'Amour- While Staal's numbers might be more impressive, no one has exemplified what it takes to be a Hurricane more than their current head coach. Captaining the team to the Stanley Cup in 2006 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009, Brind'Amour was one of the best two-way forwards of his time, winning a pair of Selkes. The moment was never too big for him. That's why his number has been immortalized in Raleigh.