The Carolina Hurricanes are chasing an 8th straight playoff bid as an Eastern Conference favorite
Carolina Hurricanes
Last season: 47-30-5, lost in Eastern Conference final.
COACH: Rod Brind’Amour (325-160-49 over seven seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 9 vs. New Jersey.
DEPARTURES: D Brent Burns, D Dmitry Orlov, D Scott Morrow.
ADDITIONS: F Nikolaj Ehlers, D K’Andre Miller, D Mike Reilly.
GOALIES: Pyotr Kochetkov (27-16-3, 2.60 goals-against average, .898 save percentage), Frederik Andersen (13-8-1, 2.50, .899).
BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 19-2.
What to expect
After reaching the playoffs for the seventh time in as many seasons under Brind’Amour, there were not major changes to the roster. Mainstays like center Sebastian Aho, forwards Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov, and defenseman Jaccob Slavin are locked up long term. The Hurricanes will again be one of the favorites to contend for the Stanley Cup out of the Eastern Conference, though these days that would mean punching through the roadblock of the two-time reigning champion Florida Panthers, who have eliminated the Hurricanes in the East final two of the past three seasons.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Aho (team-best 74 points) and Jarvis (team-best 32 goals) are in their prime, while Svechnikov — a former No. 2 overall draft pick — is coming off a huge postseason with eight goals. Slavin headlines the defensemen, which include key returnees in Jalen Chatfield, Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbhere. Andersen has been the veteran capable of taking the lead in net for the playoffs.
The not-so-good: There aren’t many holes, though the team has been on a multi-year hunt for another high-end finisher that could raise its postseason ceiling. That included trading for Jake Guentzel in 2024 before trading his rights away ahead of free agency as well as the January trade for star forward Mikko Rantanen before having to ship him out at last year’s deadline. Carolina has also been looking for upgrades at second-line center and will have to find the right defensive pairings with the departures of Burns and Orlov; top prospect Alexander Nikishin was thrown into the playoffs as a rookie due to injuries last year.
Players to watch
The Rantanen saga led to the addition of 22-year-old forward Logan Stankoven, who has already landed an eight-year extension through 2033-34 and opened training camp getting center work. The Hurricanes made two major additions, first with the trade that landed Miller from the New York Rangers. Then came a big get in free agency with Ehlers, who picked the Hurricanes over multiple suitors to sign a six-year deal in July and is part of the Hurricanes’ hunt for scoring punch.
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