NHL News
Devils vs. the Metro: Hurricanes Suffer Big Losses; Lineup Projection
The Carolina Hurricanes were an absolute menace to the New Jersey Devils last season. In fact, the Devils couldn’t collect a single point against their division rival last season as the Canes took all six points in their three tilts with New Jersey.
Over the last three seasons, the Hurricanes have put together consecutive 110-plus point seasons and finished in first place in three of the last four years. And ever since Rod Brind’Amour took over as the Hurricanes head coach, Carolina hasn’t missed the playoffs in six seasons.
Yet, this summer was different from usual. This summer, the Hurricanes watched many of the pieces that helped Carolina’s success over the last several years walk in free agency, some even right to the Devils front doorstep.
2023-24 record: 52-34-7, 111 points, second place in the Metropolitan Division. Eliminated in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs in six games by the New York Rangers.
**This is the next in a NJHN series comparing the New Jersey Devils to their Metro Division rivals to further projections and understanding of the coming Devils season. See part one — New York Rangers.
Hurricanes Key Arrivals
Well get to who the Hurricanes lost, but the Devils division rival was decently active in free agency. Before working on external options, No.1 defenseman Jaccob Slavin extended with the Canes, signing an eight-year, $51.69 million contract. Jalen Chatfield also re-upped for three years for $3 million.
The Canes then went to the open market and reeled in defensemen Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere. Walker had a career-year, scoring 10 goals and 29 points from the blueline between the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche. Gostisbehere rebounded in 2023-24 with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 10 goals and 56 points following a 31-point 2022-23.
Up front, the Hurricanes signed William Carrier and Jack Roslovic.
Hurricanes Key Departures
The Hurricanes lost a lot more than they gained this summer. Starting with the most recent departure, the Hurricanes and center Evgeny Kuznetsov mutually agreed to terminate his contract. Thus, the Russian center was placed on, and passed unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract termination.
It is believed the 32-year-old center will continue his career in the KHL.
The Canes also lost a pair of effective players to free agency who walked to New Jersey. The Devils inked both Brett Pesce and Stefan Nosesen to multi-year contracts. Pesce had a down year on the scoresheet, only netting three goals and 10 points in 70 games. However, the Tarrytown, New York native is one of the better shutdown defenseman against the oppositions top players. Noesen was an effective all-around winger who forechecked quite well and scored 14 goals and 37 points in 81 games.
Acquired ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hurricanes perhaps suffered their biggest loss in Jake Guentzel who was traded and signed to the Tampa Bay Lightning after contract negotiations in Carolina went south. In 17 games with the Canes, Guentzel was excellent, scoring eight goals and 256 points in 17 games.
Nashville GM Barry Trotz revealed his master plan to retool the Predators this summer, and that included defenseman Brady Skjei who inked a four-year deal. Skjei cruised to a career year in 2023-24, potting 13 goals and 47 points in 80 games.
Lastly, after spending the last eight seasons in Carolina, forward Teuvo Teravainen returned to the team that drafted him, inking a three-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Prospect Pipeline
The Hurricanes are certainly hoping that some of their youth can develop into players who can skate regularly in the NHL and perhaps somewhat replicate what they’ve lost. Up front, it’s seemingly Ryan Suzuki’s time to make or break his career. The 23-year-old forward was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, 28th overall, but had yet to break the NHL lineup. Last season in the American Hockey League, Suzuki netted 14 goals and 30 points in 51 AHL games.
Scott Morrow, the defenseman out of the University of Massachusetts, is seemingly NHL-ready himself. The Hurricanes selected Morrow in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, 40th overall. After his season at UMass ended — scoring six goals and 30 points in 37 NCAA games — Morrow dipped his toes in the NHL waters playing two NHL games toward the end of the 2023-24 season. Morrow signed and burned the first year of his contract after inking his entry-level contract in April 2024.
Finally, Bradly Nadeau could be ready for the NHL as well. The former 30th overall selection at the 2023 NHL Draft scored 19 goals and 46 points as Maine’s leading scorer in the NCAA as a freshman. He signed his entry-level contract that slides into next season after making his NHL debut, skating in one NHL game last season.
Needs
The Hurricanes have two clear needs at the moment. Those two needs are named Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas.
Jarvis enjoyed a breakout season in 2023-24, potting 33 goals and 67 points in 81 games. He’s a restricted free agent who projects to receive a significant raise both short and long-term near $6.5-$8 million annually depending on the term, according to AFP Analytics.
Necas is another curious case. He’s looking for a fresh start elsewhere, however, with so many losses in the offseason, it’s Carolina’s preference to keep the former 12th overall selection. Necas filed for arbitration, which brings us to the Canes’ last need.
Cap space.
The Hurricanes lucked out when they gained Kuznetsov’s $3.9 million cap hit after mutual contract termination. However, their remaining $13,856,667 might be enough to only cover Jarvis and Necas and perhaps desire to bring in another body down the middle with Jesperi Kotkaniemi projecting to be their second-line center.
Quotable
Despite the losses, here’s why defenseman Sean Walker chose Carolina:
“I think this style of play is really gonna fit what I can bring to a team. Aggressive, fast, the D are always up in the play and I think that’s something that I have in my game. So when the opportunity arose, I thought it was a great opportunity for me and what a place to come play and the team is so competitive. Really looking forward to not playing against all those guys anymore. I think it’s going to be a great fit and I’m really excited.”
Projected Lineup
Forwards
Andrei Svechnikov—Sebastian Aho—Seth Jarvis
Bradley Nadeau—Jesperi Kotkaniemi—Martin Necas
William Carrier—Jack Drury—Jack Roslovic
Eric Robinson—Jordan Staal—Jordan Martinook
Defense
Jaccob Slavin—Brent Burns
Dmitry Orlov—Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere—Jalen Chatfield
Goaltenders
Frederick Anderson
Pyotr Kochetkov
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