It's not quite like winning a Stanley Cup but it is a nice distinction: the Hurricanes have been named the NHL's best franchise in ESPN the Magazine's seventh annual "Ultimate Standings."
The magazine ranks the franchises in Major League Baseball, NBA, NFL and NHL in terms of "paying fans back for their investment of time, money and passion." The Los Angeles Angels got the No. 1 ranking and the Hurricanes were No. 2.
The criteria includes affordability, quality of coaching, fan relations, commitment of ownership, stadium or arena experience, team success and "bang for the buck." Among NHL teams, the Detroit Red Wings were ranked No. 4 and the Washington Capitals No. 6.
The magazine will be on newstands Friday.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Speaking of #2
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 16:18 — esteban1949I saw on the THN website that LaRose is #1 on the second team rankings for "free agents"...who would have thought!
Since Cole has resigned...now how about it Chad ?? Has your agent been mugged and beaten down with tons of offers and trucks full of bucks yet ? But no matter what team or city you go to sir( if at all)..I wish you all the best for you,your career, and your eventual nuptials....Honest !!!
Go Canes !!
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Wed, 07/01/2009 - 15:57 — SBHARRELL9Once again the haters are out. 8 years, 3 Eastern Conference Finals, 2 Stanley Cup Finals, 2006 Cup. Shut the pie hole.
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Wed, 07/01/2009 - 14:22 — xpukguyCommitment of ownership? Why, because he has stuck here for so long and has lost his shirt? Where's the splashy free agents to knock Duke, UNC or NCSU off the lead? Where are the players in the community, and I don't mean third and fourth liners, during the offseason? Articles like this are a joke because people are laughing around the country.
Sign someone today, please.
Why xpukguy...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 18:24 — richardfocwhy are you still around? You obviously aren't a Hurricanes fan and even when faced with a #2 ranking from a respected national sports magazine you still try to denigrate the team. Face it, it's a great team and a great franchise and if you can't recognize that you are truly a moron.
Logic please...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 11:43 — JRs_FaultExplain to me how in one sentence you talk about K losing his shirt, and in the next you chastise the organization for not overpaying on July 1 for 'splash'???
Which one of the big guys on the board yesterday would you have recommended JR outbid for??
Hossa for 12 years? nope
Havlat (oft injured) for 5M/year? no thanks
Gaborik (another injury risk) for 7.5M/yr - WTF??
Cammelleri for $6M?? - I'll pass when the bidding goes above 4M.
These are all contracts people will be talking about when the Cap starts going down, just like the Gomez & Briere deals of a couple years ago (and Redden last year).