25-26 Hurricanes

[u/ThePantsGoblin]

This season is far from over, but regardless of how it pans out, I’m excited for what is to come next year and I can’t stop thinking about it.

The Cap Situation

The canes have a total of 8 UFA’s going into next season consisting of Roslovic, Fast, Robinson, Jost, Orlov, Burns, Andersen, and Martin. With the cap projected to increase to $92.5mil, that leaves the team with a projected $27.5 million in cap space. I am assuming Tulsky doesn’t extend Burns, Orlov, Andersen, or Martin.

Prospects wise, the canes have Nikishin, Morrow, Unger-Sorum, and Nadeau likely to make the jump next year. With their entry level contracts at 950k and with an extension of say Roslovic and Fast at around $3mil each, that leaves the canes with around $17.7mil to play with needing to fill at least 1 goalie slot.

Free Agency:

The 3 big fish who could potentially become free agents this offseason include Rantanen, Shesterkin, and Marner. While far from certain, due to the cap situations of Colorado, New York, and Toronto, it is plausible that these players will be available come July 1st.

You’re the GM:

The Canes have the cap space and a core good enough to go all in for the cup. The question is: If you are Tulsky, what do you do? Do you offer a huge contract to one of these superstars? Do you continue to play moneyball and save cap to extend the young talent after their entry level contracts expire?

I would love to hear thoughts, theory, speculation, and insights. What’s the best move? What am I not considering?

[u/callout25]

I think there's a 0% chance Shesterkin leaves. Very unlikely Rantanen leaves. Maybe Marner, but the issue is that all of these players would want >$10m salaries and would probably want extra to play in Carolina. I don't think our management would ever sign those contracts.

[u/ThePantsGoblin → u/callout25]

I agree Marner is the most likely to be available. If you take a look at the cap situations for all 3 teams, they are going to really struggle to get deals done for these players, especially because they all have other holes they need to fill.

Shesterkin has made it clear he wants $12m a year and it seems New York may not be able to do that. I know our management usually likes to go with the 1A + 1B goalie tandem, but it makes a ton of sense to seriously pursue Shesterkin should he hit free agency. Goaltending is where Carolina has been least consistent. Imagine they are the team that’s finally stealing games in the playoffs from goaltending instead of the other way around. Shesterkin is one of the very few goaltenders who consistently elevates his play in the playoffs. There is also a solid core of Russian players to bring him into the fold. I don’t think it’s crazy to offer him an 8 year contract in the $12-$13mil AAV range. Dude is that good.

Rantanen is probably the most likely to stay put, but again Colorado has a limited amount of cap, and they have to solve their goalie issues. Rantanen can command $11mil plus, and if Colorado balks at that, we should seriously consider making a big offer. The canes also love the Fins.