The Carolina Hurricanes have typically operated somewhat under their own course of action when addressing trades, the draft, and free agency. While the offseason started with a lot of questions, the Hurricanes went off course and moved rather quickly to address some of those questions, but some remain while others have popped up.
The Carolina Hurricanes Go Off Course to Aggressively Approach the Free Agent Frenzy
The Hurricanes approach to the NHL Entry Draft remained largely unchanged from previous years under the Dundon/Waddell regime, taking high-upside players with less regard for positional need. This included first-rounder Bradley Nadeau. Last Word on Hockey prospect expert Ben Kerr described Nadeau as a “boom-or-bust type prospect” with high offensive ability that could become a steal of a pick. This is right up Carolina’s alley.
Obviously, Nadeau is many years away. Quickly following the Draft, all attention turns to tweaking the team for next season and addressing expiring contracts. At this point, you almost expect the unexpected with Carolina. Moves like bringing in Brent Burns and Max Pacioretty were somewhat off kilter last offseason while other teams raced to sign big free agents on July 1. But early in the free agency period, Carolina has taken somewhat of a different approach.
If it Isn’t Broke, Don’ Fix It
Let’s start first with the players Carolina opted to keep around. The arguably bigger contract extension decisions are coming in the next two offseasons, but there were still some notable players needing new deals. The biggest being both goalies. While Pyotr Kochetkov is signed for the next few years, the tandem of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta were not. For free agent goalies this offseason, they were two of the top choices with many teams rumoured interested. There was small talk that Carolina could go big and target goalies available via trade such as Connor Hellebuyck or John Gibson, but instead they opted to retain the duo that worked so well for them.
With needing to focus this offseason on other team needs over landing the biggest goalie possible, this was a smart move. Both goalies carried the team the last two seasons notwithstanding the fact that the team’s system provides very effective defence. Kochetkov is still waiver exempt so moving him as needed should nto be an issue. It was especially smart considering that Raanta re-signed at one year with an AAV of $1.5 million and Andersen at two years with an AAV of $3.4. It is almost certain that both would have fetched more money on the open market but took hometown discounts to return. Having both goalies signed next season for $4.9 million is an asset to the team itself to allow it to make other moves, as it has already.
Keeping the “Possession Line” Intact
Meanwhile, two forwards on Carolina’s most consistent and top possession/forechecking line also needed new deals. And like Raanta and Andersen, both Jesper Fast and captain Jordan Staal took team friendly deals. Fast is a speedy winger who is one of the most liked players on the team. He works extremely hard and is a great forechecking and possession driving forward. He had some heroic moments in the playoffs last season as well. Even though many likely thought he could get a larger deal in free agency, he returned to Carolina on a two-year deal with a $2.4 million AAV.
His linemate, captain Jordan Staal also re-signed for four years at an AAV of $2.9 million. Staal is one of the best defensive forwards in the league and is a large presence on the ice with tons of strength. You can see this both defensively and in his puck protection and net-front play. While the term seems long for an older player, the AAV is very affordable. That was likely the compromise in that deal.
Keeping both players at again affordable deals was another smart move. The line of Fast, Staal and Jordan Martinook works extremely well for Carolina. Even though neither player is going to light up the score sheet, keeping that line intact is arguably more beneficial than what either of them bring individually. And yet they both bring something individually as well.
Adding Strength to a Place of Strength – Dmitry Orlov
So far, starting with the trade deadline, through the draft, and up until (and shortly after in Andersen’s case) the opening minutes of the free agent frenzy on July 1, Carolina operated as usual. Not overpaying at the trade deadline, high upside drafting, and retaining players at great value. But then the clock struck 12:00 PM EDT on July 1. The first Carolina free agent signing announced was one of the top available players – defenceman Dmitry Orlov. The deal is for two years with an AAV at $7.8 million.
Dmitry Orlov, signed 2x$7.8M by CAR, is top-pairing puck-moving two-way left defenceman. He’s equally happy carrying or passing the puck in transition and is elite at setting up linemates in the offensive zone. Plays differently than Canes defenders usually do. #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/7bhYZZptKf
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2023
Orlov is a top pairing left-handed defenceman who is very strong in transition and in generating offence. The 2009 second round pick of the Washington Capitals was instrumental in their Stanley Cup Championship and has been a steady defenceman for them the last few seasons. They traded him to the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline due to his expiring contract. He performed very well for the Bruins, putting up four goals and 13 assists in 23 regular season games for them. In 66 games last season for the Capitals and Bruins, Orlov scored his career best 36 points. This would have made him second for all Hurricanes defencemen last season and he did not even play a full year.
Orlov will instantly make Carolina’s strong defence much better. While the AAV on this deal is large, the term is short and was likely the compromise. This is very much a “right-now” type deal but it will be interesting to see what happens in a few years too. What is so interesting here is that while Carolina does not seem to mind adding strength to where they already have it, they typically avoid early, big free agent signings. But this year was different.
Adding Grit and Extra Scoring – Michael Bunting
As if Carolina didn’t already go outside their typical playbook, later in the day they made another swing and landed forward Michael Bunting. The deal runs for three years with an AAV of $4.5 million. While Bunting may not be the “top-goal scoring forward” many think the Hurricanes would target, he does compliment their scoring fairly well while bringing some other positive attributes.
Michael Bunting, signed 3x$4.5M by CAR, is a complementary offensive winger with good instincts and hands around the net. Played a puck-retriever and net-front role in TOR. Prolific penalty-drawing is cancelled out by a tendency to take plenty of his own. #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/ZeE1NBS3FW
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2023
Bunting has scored 23 goals in both of his last two seasons. At 27 years old, he was somewhat of a late bloomer as he only has a few seasons of consistent NHL ice time. But over the last two years he was a solid depth scoring option for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His scoring comes in tight around the net a lot. This is something very positive for Carolina considering their tendency to favor shot generation from the point.
At 6′ 2″ and 197 lbs. he is not the biggest player, but does not mind getting to the dirty areas and mixing it up as an agitator. This is both good and bad. Carolina will benefit from a player like this as was seen in the Eastern Conference Finals last postseason. But Bunting will need to also reign it in some. He has had some plays that are simply a little too far. Whether that was intentional or not, he’s a player that coach Rod Brind’Amour will likely cherish the opportunity to work with to pull the best out of him and play his style effectively. Expect to see Bunting move up and down the forward lines as he could be on the top line with Sebastian Aho or even a lower line depending on what the lineup looks like.
Why the Sudden Change?
This aggressive free agent push by Carolina has sort of come out of left field based on previous offseasons. Moving quickly to re-sign some of their own free agents is one thing, but grabbing Orlov and Bunting is another. Both of these players will instantly make this team better. The team friendly re-signing deals greatly helped the team be able to pull these new guys in. They will also help if Carolina continues to make moves. Why this sudden change in philosophy is an interesting question. Did they finally say we need to swing big in free agency? Did Orlov and Bunting approach Carolina and the deals seemed right for the team? The fact that a player like Orlov was willing to sign with Carolina shows a markedly different viewpoint of the team from over half a decade ago when top free agents seemed to never want to come.
Fast Start with Further Work Potentially in the Pipeline
While these moves greatly help the team, there is still some work that could (and very well may) be done. The biggest arguably is to still bring in a top line goal scoring forward. Reportedly, the Hurricanes are making a strong push (and very possibly signing) Vladimir Tarasenko. While Tarasenko may be a little passed his peak, he is a goal scoring forward that has shown when healthy he can be a consistent 30 goal scorer. Another area they may make a push for is a second line centre. With the addition of Orlov and other potential defensive additions being rumoured including Anthony DeAngelo and Erik Karlsson, one of Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei may be used to bring in such centre.
In any event, considering the team did not really lose anyone too major to free agency and with the pieces they brought in, they are already better than last year. Keep in mind it’s only a few days past the opening of free agency so don’t be surprised if another move is in the works.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
