Carolina Hurricanes News

Carolina and Jarvis may have changed the NHL free agent game forever on Friday after they signed an eight-year deal worth $63.2 million ($7.9M AAV) that is much lower than average annual salaries because Jarvis was willing to defer salary. The 22-year-old center was Carolina's 2020 1st-round pick (13th overall) and broke out in 2023-24 finishing second on the Hurricanes' in points with 33 goals, 67 points 176 SOG and a +23 plus/minus through 81 games played.

Carolina was hit with some unfortunate off-season news after forward Jesper Fast was announced out for the entire 2024-25 season after undergoing neck surgery last week. The 32-year-old right-winger was entering his fifth season in Carolina and had six goals and 19 points in 73 games played while occupying Carolina's bottom six in 2023-24.

Badinka was a second-round pick (No.34 overall) in this year's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old blueliner played for Malmo (SHL) during the 2024 season, posting four points (1G / 3A) and a minus-9 rating in 33 games.

Sawchenko spent the 2023-24 season with the Canucks' organization, where he played the entire season in the AHL. The 26-year-old netminder was 4-1-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .924 SV% in six regular season games with Abbotsford (AHL) and was 2-4 with a 2.96 GAA and .898 SV% in six AHL playoff games. Expect him to start the 2024-25 season in Cleveland (AHL).

The Hurricanes made up for their lost pieces on Monday by signing Sean Walker to a five-year deal worth $18.0 million ($3.6M AAV). The 29-year-old was acquired by Colorado at the trade deadline in 2023-24 and had 10 goals, 29 points, 50 PIMs and a +11 plus/minus through 81 games with the Flyers and Avalanche last season.

Gostisbehere will return to Carolina after one very successful season in Detroit after he signed a three-year contract worth $9.6 million ($3.2M AAV). The 31-year-old completed his 10th NHL season in 2023-24 and had 10 goals and 56 points in 81 games played.

Carrier has spent the last seven seasons with Vegas but will pack his bags as he heads to Carolina on a six-year, $12.0 million ($2.0M AAV) deal. The 29-year-old had a down and injury-filled season in 2023-24, with only six goals and eight points in 39 games played.

Carolina will keep one of its most important defensive pieces around long term as they have signed Jaccob Slavin to an eight-year contract extension worth $51.69 million ($6.46M AAV). The 30-year-old defenseman just completed his ninth season with Carolina (665 GP) and had six goals, 37 points and a +21 plus/minus in 81 games played in 2023-24.

Fan favourite Jordan Martinook will remain in Carolina after the Hurricanes signed the 10-year veteran to a three-year extension worth $9.15 million ($3.05M AAV). The 31-year-old Hurricanes' assistant captain surpassed the 30+ point plateau for a second straight season in 2023-24 as he ended the campaign with 14 goals and 32 points in 82 games played.

Robinson spent 2023-24 between Columbus and Buffalo but has signed a one-year deal to join Carolina worth $950,000. The 29-year-old role-player never really settled into Buffalo during his brief tenure as he had two goals and nine points in 40 games after joining the Sabres early in the season.

Bussi finished his third professional season at 23-10-5 with a 2.67 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout in 41 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL). Bussi figured to become Jeremy Swayman's backup next season following the Linus Ullmark trade, but with Joonas Korpisalo coming the other way, he may have to continue waiting. The two-way contract will allow the Bruins to have that flexibility.

Carolina added to its defensive depth over the weekend as they signed 24-year-old offensive defenseman Ty Smith to a one-year, two-way contract. The puck-moving defenseman has 47 points in 123 career NHL games played but last appeared in the NHL with Pittsburgh all the way back in 2022-23. He spent all of 2023-24 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and had nine goals and 43 points in 63 games played.