Carolina Hurricanes: 2019 offseason outlook

Should They Stay Or Should They Go?

Let’s take a look at which players are returning next season, which ones likely are, and who could be moved.

Definitely Coming Back

1. Sebastian Aho isn’t going anywhere. The Carolina Hurricanes star forward bet on himself last summer, as he didn’t sign an extension with the team. And if you consider the Canes strategy of locking players up as early as they can, it sure wasn’t because they didn’t try to. Expect him to be the top offseason priority for the Hurricanes, as he’ll likely sign a long-term extension.
2. Teuvo Teravainen signed a long-term extension last summer and boy, did he make the Hurricanes look smart.
3. Jaccob Slavin is one of the NHL’s premier defensemen. He’s also on a team-friendly extension. The list of players I’d trade Slavin for gets smaller every year.
4. Dougie Hamilton might have finally found a home in Carolina. Must be the museums. In all seriousness, Hamilton seems as happy as a clam with the Hurricanes and the feeling appears mutual for the team. No reason to think he won’t be coming back.
5. Calvin de Haan is a quality defenseman. Thanks to his lengthy injury history, his trade value is likely quite a bit lower than his actual value.
6. Nino Niederreiter was a huge addition to the Hurricanes. He’s signed long-term, so he’s not going anywhere.
7. Jordan Staal is definitely coming back for several reasons. If Justin Williams doesn’t return, he’s probably their next captain. Staal’s also their second-best center. Finally, he has a no-movement clause.
8. Andrei Svechnikov had an impressive rookie season and could surpass Aho as their top offensive weapon as soon as next season.
9. Trevor van Riemsdyk suffered a gruesome injury in the playoffs. He should be ready to go by late October at the latest, though.

Probably Coming Back

1. Warren Foegele had 15 points in 70 games during the regular season. With nine points in the postseason, he nearly surpassed his regular season totals in 15 games! Foegele might be someone teams ask about if the Hurricanes explore the trade market. Expect him to return.
2. Lucas Wallmark is in a similar boat. I’d put his chances of returning slightly higher than Foegele because Wallmark was one of the three Hurricanes centers to participate in at least 1,000 faceoffs. But, like Foegele, he might be someone teams want if Carolina desires to upgrade via the trade market.
3. Jordan Martinook has two years left on a deal which pays him $2 million. He’s a key top-nine forward for them and one of their better defensive forwards.
4. There were some whispers about the Hurricanes trading Brett Pesce, but they got much quieter after Carolina traded for Niederreiter. Expect him to return unless Carolina gets an offer for him that they can’t refuse.
5. Haydn Fleury quietly had the best season of his NHL career. Much like Wallmark and Foegele, he could be someone teams ask about. But with van Riemsdyk’s injury, I believe he’ll return.
6. Brock McGinn is a restricted free agent. The Hurricanes like him a lot, so expect him to return.
7. Alex Nedeljkovic is a restricted free agent. He had a very nice season in the AHL and it’s likely he’ll be one of their two goaltenders next season.

Questionable To Return Or Likely Not Returning

1. My gut feeling is Justin Williams will either re-sign with the Hurricanes or retire. And if he retires, I wouldn’t be shocked if he returns in a coaching, community, or advisory role. The Hurricanes love what he brings to the table both on and off the ice.
2. Saku Maenalanen is a restricted free agent. He might want to go somewhere that can offer him more playing time, but keep in mind he’s good friends with Aho and Teravainen.
3. UFA center Greg McKegg (amazing hockey name, by the way) is a depth forward who has been a bit of a journeyman. The Hurricanes like him in a fourth-line role, so I think they’d like to re-sign him.
4. Clark Bishop is a younger version of McKegg. He’s an RFA instead of a UFA, so the Hurricanes still control his future.
5. Justin Faulk‘s been in trade rumors for a while now. With Slavin, Pesce, and Hamilton locked into top four roles, de Haan performing better than expected, and Jake Bean knocking on the door, his return to Carolina is far from certain. I’d say his chances of returning are 50-50. The injuries to de Haan and van Riemsdyk might affect the Hurricanes strategy with Faulk.
6. I’m very curious what the Hurricanes are going to do with Micheal Ferland. He’s an unrestricted free agent and should be getting a hefty payday. Ferland’s combination of physicality, size, and skill isn’t a common one. The Hurricanes like what he brings to the table, but would they be willing to overpay to keep him? This is why I think the Canes get Aho’s deal done quickly – so they’ll know how much room they have for everyone else.

Heck If I Know

1. Petr Mrazek is an unrestricted free agent.
2. Curtis McElhinney is one as well.

More likely than not, one of them is returning. Both returning is plausible, but not likely with Nedeljkovic knocking on the door. Then again, both not returning is equally plausible. I’d wager it’s more likely Mrazek sticks around than McElhinney due to age. This decision largely depends on how confident they are in Nedeljkovic.

Offseason Needs

What do the Carolina Hurricanes need to address this summer? And who’s out there who could help them do it? Let’s take a look at their needs and targets.

Top-Six Right Wing

If Williams re-signs, this problem is solved. But if the captain doesn’t, top prospect Martin Necas is their best internal option. The Hurricanes could look for his replacement outside the organization because this is a fairly deep free agent class for right wings.

Gustav Nyquist (22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points during the regular season) would make a lot of sense. Mats Zuccarello (40 points in 48 games) would be a perfect fit, but I wonder how long the Hurricanes would be willing to sign a 31-year-old forward. Joonas Donskoi (14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points) is a more budget-friendly option.

Regardless of what they choose, I don’t think the Hurricanes are going to splurge to solve this issue. It’s not their style.

Goaltender

I’m not ashamed to admit I have no idea what the Hurricanes are going to do here. One can assume Nedeljkovic is going to be a part of the solution. But what are the Hurricanes plans? Do they want a true number one goalie or will Nedeljkovic be a part of a tandem like Mrazek and McElhinney this year?

Brian Elliott, Cam Talbot, and Semyon Varlamov could all make sense. Mrazek would too. My guess is they’ll go with either Mrazek or Varlamov. Both have recent experience and success as a starting goalie.

Forward Depth

The Carolina Hurricanes could use some more skilled forward depth. Their third forward line is alright, but if Svechnikov sees more time in the top six (which appears likely), someone needs to be on that third line to make it better.

If the Hurricanes re-sign Ferland, that should do it. But if he’s too expensive for them, Carolina would be wise to make an upgrade. Necas is likely going to be a part of the solution here. But adding someone else certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Ryan Dzingel would be a nice guy to target if his price is right. He can play either wing position and center. As an added bonus, Dzingel can slot in the top six in a pinch. Marcus Johansson would be a good fit as well, but his price tag keeps rising thanks to his impressive postseason. Donskoi could be an option here too.

Outlook

The Hurricanes are well known to be a budget team. They rarely spend to the salary cap. I think Dundon’s ownership group is different. But frankly, until they prove they are different, I’m a bit skeptical of what they’re going to do.

Give Dundon credit. He’s won over the fanbase with his commitment to improving the team. Extending Teravainen and trading for Hamilton, Ferland, and Niedereitter proves he’s committed to winning. Now it’s time for him to show it by helping Carolina take the next step.