New Additions: G Cayden Primeau (from MTL), G Amir Miftakhov (1yr x $775k), D Mike Rielly (1yr x $1.1M), D K’Andre Miller (from NYR), F Nikolaj Ehlers (6yr x $8.5M AAV), D Gavin Bayreuther, (1yr x $775k), D Oliver Kylington (PTO), F Givani Smith (PTO), F Kevin Labanc (PTO)

Subtractions: F Jesper Fast (Retired), D Scott Morrow (to NYR), F Jack Roslovic (FA), D Brent Burns (to COL), D Dmitry Orlov (to SJS), D Riley Stillman (to EDM), D Ty Smith (KHL), G Spencer Martin (KHL), G Dustin Tokarski (FA)

Retentions/Extensions: F Taylor Hall (3yr x $3.167M AAV), F Eric Robinson (4yr x $1.7M AAV), F Juha Jaaska (2yr x $755k AAV), F Logan Stankoven (8yr x $6M AAV), D K’Andre Miller (8yr x $7.5M AAV), G Cayden Primeau (1yr x $775k), F Tyson Jost (1yr x 775k), F Noel Gunler (1yr x $775k), F Skylar Brind’Amour (1yr x $775k), F Ryan Suzuki (1yr $775k), F Jackson Blake (8yr x $5.625M AAV)

Carolina has been one of the best teams in the NHL for the past seven years, making the playoffs each season, having won 9 series over that span. The only problem is, they have yet to make it past the conference finals, despite appearing in three of them. In fact, forcing a game five in last year’s ECF was the furthest the team has made it since winning the Cup back in 2006. They are one of the most complete teams in the league, they just have yet to get over the hump, but this could be the group to do it.

This team is deep, with four solid forward lines, three defensive pairs able to impact the game on both ends, and two goalies capable of being the team’s starter. Sebastian Aho is an elite forward who continues to be underrated by fans outside of Carolina, he has the fourth most career points from the loaded 2015 draft class. They might not have an elite point producer on D, but they have maybe the best defensive defenceman in the league in Jaccob Slavin. He finished eighth in Norris Trophy voting last season, despite only having 27 points in 80 games, that is how solid he is in his own end, being relied upon to shut down the opponent’s best players. The rest of the roster is filled with notable names including Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, Shayne Gostisbehere, and many more.

To add to the team’s depth, the front office went out and brought in two of the most notable players to change teams this offseason. The biggest UFA forward, Nikolaj Ehlers, and working out a sign and trade with the Rangers to bring in defenceman K’Andre Miller. After a decade in Winnipeg, Ehlers has found a new home, signing a six year deal in Carolina with an $8.5M AAV. The Danish winger is coming off one of his better seasons as a pro, recording 70 points in 77 games (including playoffs) for the Presidents’ Trophy winning Jets. He will jump into the top six with the Canes, and likely see extended playing time on the first powerplay unit. Miller, 25, was due for a new contract this offseason, and wanted to secure himself financially with a long term deal. The Rangers were reluctant to give it to him due to inconsistent play over the last year, opting to trade him to a divisional opponent who had no issues giving K’Andre both term and financial compensation (8yr x $7.5M AAV). Having lost both Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns, Carolina was looking for reinforcements on the blue line, and they seem to have found a long term solution.

Frederik Andersen is one of the league’s best goalies when healthy, who happens to have a problem with staying healthy. Knowing this, Carolina has made sure to roster a great backup goalie, and Pyotr Kochetkov is one of the league’s better backups. Freddy is signed to a very friendly deal, with a cap hit of $2.75M, while Kochekov is in year three of a four year, $8M deal. Having less than $5M tied into one of the top tandems in the NHL gives Carolina a great advantage when trying to fill out their roster. In fact no one on the team makes more than $10M annually, with Aho being the highest paid player at $9.75M.

There is a clear buy-in to what this team is trying to build by its players, they want to be in Carolina, and they are willing to take less money to be a part of it. Jarvis and Svechnikov, two of the team’s top scoring forwards make less than $8M each. Slavin makes just under $6.4M a year, one of the best contracts you will find. Taylor Hall, who was an effective late season addition, resigned for a bit over $3.1M a year. 

Two young forwards in Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven just reupped for eight more seasons in Carolina. Blake broke onto the scene last year, continuously impressing and moving his way up the lineup, he ended the season playing on the first line, while also playing on the man advantage. Despite only one year of experience under his belt, the team committed to him long term (8yr x $5.625M AAV). Stankoven was the main piece that came back in the Rantanen deadline deal with Dallas, and quickly helped fans get over the situation by scoring 5 goals in 19 regular season games, and adding another 5 goals in 13 playoff games. Despite the small sample size as a Hurricane, both sides have to be pleased with his contract (8yr x $6M AAV) as he showed what he can bring, and will continue to develop into a scoring threat.

There is a great mix of youth and experience all throughout the lineup, including defense. Shayne Gostisbehere, Sean Walker and Jalen Chatfield are all around 30 years old and fill out the defensive corps behind Miller and Slavin. While Gostisbehere is a capable offensive defenceman, the team is expecting big things from Russian Alexander Nikishin, who debuted for the team in the playoffs last year. Nikishin, who will be 24 at the start of the season, has been great in the KHL over the past three seasons, scoring 45 goals, 157 points in 193 games with St. Petersburg. He is a contender for the Calder this year, especially if given a chance at running the top powerplay unit in Carolina.

The Canes are in a weird place, a tough place to be in for any sports team. Where it is accepted that they will be good in the regular season and make the playoffs, but if they are not able to get past the conference finals once again, the season will be viewed as somewhat of a disappointment. Despite having to play nearly 100 games before they get there, it is almost like their season does not start until May. Coach Brind’Amour could be on the hot seat if they fail to reach the finals once again this season, despite being a great coach, eventually something has to change. At least they are not just running it back over and over with the same exact team, the core has stayed the same for the most part, but the pieces around it have been different over the years. This looks to be the best roster yet, and the expectations and pressure facing the club are higher than ever.