Tom Kostopoulos News

You would think that with how awful the Hurricanes have been to start the season, there would be no shortage of blame to go around -- players, management, coaching staff, everyone.

To the extent that a hockey game played before the first candy bar hits the fryer across the street at the State Fair can be a litmus test, Wednesday's game was just that for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Chris Kunitz beat Cam Ward on the 12th shot of a shootout to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Wednesday night and continue their early season road success.

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward blocks Florida Panthers' Cory Stillman as Hurricanes' Tom Kostopoulos and Joe Corvo look on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Oct.

With summer in the rear view mirror, the puck is ready to drop for the National Hockey League's regular season tonight.

Tonight, the two philosophies will clash when Gainey's new-look Montreal Canadiens visit Burke's refurbished Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre to open the 2009-10 regular season.

Will Bob Gainey's extreme makeover produce a better team? The Canadiens are hoping Scott Gomez can add some scoring zip.

Georges Laraque will be counted on to provide toughness to the Canadiens lineup.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, Going into their 101st year of existence, the Canadiens have lost quite a bit of height over the off-season. However, they still possess one of the deepest forward cores in the Eastern Conference.

The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with right wing Tom Kostopoulos on a three-year contract that is worth more than $2.7 million on Tuesday.

The Tampa Bay Lightning made it official on Tuesday and signed free agent left wing Alex Tanguay.

For the Canadiens to be successful this season, they'll need more production from newcomers Scott Gomez - 16 goals in each of the last two seasons with the Rangers - and Brian Gionta, who had 20 goals for the Devils in 2008-09. Photograph by: PHIL CARPENTER, THE GAZETTE, The Gazette Seventeen days before they report to camp, the question is heard ...

The Carolina Hurricanes added veteran depth on Wednesday by inking center Stephane Yelle to a one-year contract for the upcoming season.

The Nashville Predators have signed free agent forward Marcel Goc to a one-year contract.

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed forward Matt D'Agostini to a one-year contract.

The Montreal Canadiens' offseason makeover took another step with the signing of goalie Curtis Sanford to a one-year contract.

NEW JERSEY Devils sniper Zach Parise doesn't expect the defensive zeal of new head coach Jacques Lemaire will stifle his game.

Sabres fans, get ready to roll out the welcome mat for a local boy and a few old friends.

Welcome to Raleigh. The Hurricanes came through on their hopes of adding some additional toughness to the lineup when they inked the former Canadiens' right winger yesterday to a three-year contract.

Tom Kostopoulos #6 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Boston Bruins during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 22, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.