Carolina Hurricanes Summary

The Carolina Hurricanes made headlines by acquiring the rights to defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks. This significant move aims to strengthen the team's defense as they prepare to defend their Stanley Cup title.

Carlson, 36, is a top unrestricted free agent, having scored 14 goals and 60 points last season. He averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game and is expected to command a salary between $9 to $10 million.

Meanwhile, the team faces challenges as forward Seth Jarvis is expected to miss the start of the upcoming season after undergoing shoulder surgery, which could sideline him for four to six months. General Manager Eric Tulsky confirmed that Jarvis had a torn labrum and rotator cuff that needed repair after playing through pain in previous seasons.

Additionally, the Hurricanes selected Ryder Fetterolf in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, showcasing their commitment to building a strong future. Fetterolf, a goaltender from the Ottawa 67s, had an impressive season with a 2.07 goals-against average and was named Goaltender of the Year by the Canadian Hockey League.

The Hurricanes are also exploring roster improvements following their championship victory, with Tulsky emphasizing the need for a deeper roster to maintain competitiveness even amid injuries. This offseason, the team has already re-signed some players, including forward Nicolas Deslauriers, while considering their options with defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who could be traded as his future with the team remains uncertain.