LAST SEASON
The Carolina Hurricanes were an established contender heading into the 2023-24 campaign. Even though they continued to ride the goaltending carousel with injuries, the Hurricanes were one of the best teams in the NHL. They allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the league (216), and were one of seven teams to hit the 50-win mark. Their 52-23-7 record was the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and third in the entire NHL, just a few points back of the President’s Trophy-winning New York Rangers.
When they got into the playoffs, Carolina looked confident against the New York Islanders in the opening round, ousting their Metropolitan Division foe in five games. However, when they ran into the Rangers in Round 2, they struggled to find the big goals when they needed them. Four of the six games were decided by one goal, with the Canes losing in overtime twice. A collapse on home ice in Game 6 led to a 5-3 loss, effectively ending their season.
It is impossible to say that the team not making it to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year is considered a failure. However, it was another year where the projected Stanley Cup favorite came short of reaching the ultimate goal, leaving some doubts if the current core can get the job done.
KEY ADDITIONS & DEPARTURES
Additions
Sean Walker, D (UFA)
Shayne Gostisbehere, D (UFA)
Jack Roslovic, C (UFA)
William Carrier, LW (UFA)
Tyson Jost, C (UFA)
Departures
Jake Guentzel, LW (TB)
Brady Skjei, D (NSH)
Brett Pesce, D (NJ)
Teuvo Teravainen, F (CHI)
Evgeny Kuznetsov, C (KHL)
Stefan Noesen, F (NJ)
OFFENSE
As previously mentioned, the Hurricanes have earned a reputation as a team that struggles to find scoring when it matters most. While they finished tied for seventh in goals scored (279) with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina didn’t have many individuals that wowed the masses. Sebastian Aho was their only player to score more than 70 points in 2023-24, leading the Canes with 36 goals and 53 assists for 89 points, a career-high.
With a fresh contract under his belt, the team is hoping Martin Necas finds that scoring touch that led to him posting 71 points during the 2022-23 season. The Czech center posted 53 points in 77 games last year. Another player with the hopes of having a bounce-back year is Andrei Svechnikov. The Russian scorer had to overcome injuries last season but managed to score 52 points in 59 games.
DEFENSE
What has made the Hurricanes stand out for the past half-decade is its ability to shut down the opposition’s attack. Led by former Norris Trophy candidate Jaccob Slavin, the team has an exceptional blueline that is great at limiting quality scoring chances, and can also help out on the other end of the rink as well.
While the team lost Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce to free agency, Carolina still has players like Brent Burns who provide a veteran presence. They received a solid boost when they signed Sean Walker to a five-year contract, giving the Hurricanes another exceptional piece on the back end.
A few forwards are also capable of helping out on the defensive end. Captain Jordan Staal, fresh off being a finalist for the Selke Trophy, is one of a few two-way players who will play big roles for Carolina.
GOALTENDING
The goaltending has been a wild story over the last few years for the Hurricanes. Whether it be great performances by characters like Petr Mrazek and James Reimer or Zamboni drivers who work for the opposing team, they always seem to find a way to win with whoever straps on the pads.
Last year was no different. Five netminders saw game action with Carolina during the 2023-24 campaign. Frederik Andersen, the man expected to be the No. 1 netminder, missed months of the season due to a blood clot issue. With Antti Raanta’s game going sideways, things were left to Pyotr Kochetkov for long stretches. The sophom*ore netminder did his part to keep the Hurricanes in the running for the top spot in the division.
Andersen played some big minutes in the playoffs, and when he’s at a full bill of health, the Hurricanes have an exceptional tandem between the pipes between he and Kochetkov –for the regular season, at least. Will the brilliance ever carry over to the postseason?
COACHING
While the off-ice contract negotiations have always seemed to cloud his tenure as head coach, it is hard to argue how Rod Brind’Amour has been a steady presence behind the bench in Raleigh. Even with someone as trigger-happy as team owner Tom Dundon might be, the organization sees the work Brind’Amour has done to turn the Hurricanes from an afterthought to one of the top teams in the NHL. There are some whispers that the team might move on from the 53-year-old if he doesn’t get the job done this year, but with how good he has been to the organization, and how much the players love playing for him, it is hard to picture the Hurricanes with anyone besides “Rod the Bod” as head coach. He is the franchise’s culture setter.
ROOKIES
There are a couple of youngsters who might be able to make an impact in their first full seasons in pro hockey.
Jackson Blake signed with the Hurricanes near the end of the 2023-24 campaign after an exceptional college career. At the University of North Dakota, the Fargo native became one of the best scorers for the Fighting Hawks. Last year, he led the team with 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points, tied for fourth in the NCAA in scoring. The 21-year-old was named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which ultimately went to new San Jose Shark forward Macklin Celebrini.
Another player who could see some playing time this year is 19-year-old Bradly Nadeau. After one year at the University of Maine, the native of New Brunswick signed his entry-level contract. The former Penticton Vee scored 19 goals and 27 assists in 37 games with the Black Bears, tied for 18th in national scoring.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Is this the year the Canes make it to the Final? Just so the question can be buried, I want to say yes. However, looking at the teams in the Eastern Conference, and in the Metropolitan Division, it isn’t going to be easy. The Florida Panthers will be good and the Rangers are expected to challenge for the top of the Metro once again. The Canes also endured such an exodus of impact players that it’s fair to wonder if last season was their best shot.
2. Does Eric Tulsky make a big swing? The new general manager made some solid signings during free agency but was criticized for letting guys like Brett Pesce and Teuvo Teravainen go. With a little more than $8 million in cap space and a few players on expiring deals, Tulsky is more than equipped to make a calculated move.
3. Can Jaccob Slavin make a push for the Norris Trophy? In today’s age, it is hard to be considered the best defenseman in the league without posting exceptional offensive numbers. However, Slavin is such a unit in his own zone and isn’t a zero on the attack, as suggested by the fact he ranks first in franchise history in points among defensem*n. He certainly has the tools to make a good push for it this year, but the competition is fierce in what is currently a peak era for superstar scoring defensem*n.
PREDICTION
There is no question the Hurricanes are going to be a playoff team next year. There is too much talent up and down the lineup to expect anything less. Whether it or not they have the juice to win the division is up in the air. Also, making a deep run in the playoffs is also another question mark.
That said, expect the Hurricanes to finish third in the Metro and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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POST SPONSORED BY bet365
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