Following the NHL draft, free agency and other off-season changes, NHL.com examines where each team stands in preparation for the 2023-24 regular season, which begins October 10. Today the Carolina Hurricanes have:
Season 2022-23: 52-21-9, 1st in Metropolitan Division; lost in the Eastern Conference Finals
Important arrivals
Dmitry OrlovD: Orlov, who turns 32 on July 23, signed a two-year deal on July 1. Last season, he had NHL career-high assists (29) and points (36) in 66 games, including 17 points (four goals, 13 assists). ) in 23 games with the Boston Bruins after being acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on February 23. He also had eight assists in seven Stanley Cup playoff games. As a left-hander, Orlov will likely play on the left in Carolina’s second or third pair of defenses, but he’s also capable of playing on the right. … Michael BuntingQ: The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract on July 1 after playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past two seasons. Bunting was a 2021-22 Calder Trophy finalist for NHL Rookie of the Year and had 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 82 regular-season games and two points (one goal, one assist) in seven playoffs last season -Play .
Video: MTL@TOR: Bunting extends the Maple Leafs’ lead to 2nd place
Important departures
Max PaciorettyQ: Pacioretty signed a one-year contract with the Capitals on July 1 after being limited to five games last season due to a torn Achilles tendon. The injury came after he missed the first 38 games while recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. … Shayne GostisbehereD: Gostisbehere signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1 after recording 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 75 games last season, including 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 23 games after his Acquired Carolina in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on March 1st. He also had three assists in 15 playoff games. … Calvin deHaanD: He signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2 after averaging 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 53 regular-season games last season. He was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. … Paul Stastny, F: Stastny remains an unrestricted free agent, having recorded 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 73 regular-season games and four goals in 15 playoff games as Carolina’s fourth-row center last season. …. Derek Stepan, F: Stepan remains an unrestricted free agent, having recorded 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 73 regular-season games last season and one assist in 11 playoff games. … Jesse Puljujarvi, F: Puljujarvi became an unrestricted player after the Hurricanes failed to make him a qualifying offer. Puljujarvi, the 2016 NHL draft No. 4, had 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 75 games last season, including two assists in 17 games after the Hurricanes signed him on Feb. 28 in a deal with the Edmonton Oilers also had one assist in seven playoff games.
At the threshold
Pyotr KochetkovG: The 24-year-old will once again start the season third on Carolina’s depth chart Fredrik Andersen (two years) and Anti Raanta (one year) were re-signed on July 1st. Kochetkov had a 12-7-5 record in 24 games (23 starts) with the Hurricanes last season with 2.44 goals against averages, .909 saves and four shutouts. 6-3 with a 2.64 GAA, a .903 save percentage and two shutouts in 26 games with Chicago in the American Hockey League. … Vasily PonomarevQ: The 21-year-old led Chicago with 24 goals and finished second with 46 points in 64 AHL games last season. There’s no place for him in Carolina’s top nine right now, but an injury or a trade could open the door to Ponomarev’s NHL debut.
What else do you need
Carolina wants to sign a prolific forward to clear the playoff hurdle. For that reason, Pacioretty acquired a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights last summer, but that plan was thwarted by his Achilles tendon injuries. Pacioretty and striker are missing Andrei Svechnikovwho tore a cruciate ligament in his right knee on March 11 took a toll on the Hurricanes, whose lack of goal depth caught up with them in the Eastern Conference Finals when they scored six goals in four games against the Florida Panthers.
You said so
“Things have changed here. We used to be player hunting and had to overpay players. We’ve become a destination and we get those calls first, as some teams do, and it’s nice to be in that position and have a chance to make your team better. I’ve always said that my job as general manager is to make our team better when we can and we felt that the new additions (in free agency) will certainly put us in a different position going forward. “– General Manager Don Waddell
fantasy focus
With the Hurricanes’ signings of Andersen and Raanta, Kochetkov’s hopes of becoming the season-opening goaltender were put on hold. However, Andersen and Raanta both struggled with injuries last season, allowing Kochetkov to step in and have 12 wins and four shutouts (level fifth in the NHL) in 24 games, giving the 24-year-old still a tremendous Fantasy Frontier has Goalie and Dynasty leagues and should be considered a breakthrough contender this season. — Pete Jensen
Video: ARI@CAR: Kochetkov robs Boyd with an insane save
Planned lineup
Michael Bunting- Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis
Andrei Svechnikov – Jesperi Kotkaniemi — Martin Necas
Teuvo Teravainen — Jordan Staal — Jesper Fast
Jordan Martinook — Jack Drury — Stefan Noesen
Jacob Slavin — Brent Burns
Dmitry Orlov – Brett Pesce
Brady Skjei — Jalen Chatfield
Fredrik Andersen
Anti Raanta