After two strong seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes seem destined to be a playoff team going forward. This article will focus on what the team may look like on defense and in net next season, as they look to build on their success.
GOALIES
Even though I don’t think Carolina’s goaltending is where it needs to be, I’m not confident that the team will make a move for a starter this offseason. Best to not get your hopes up, right?
Robin Lehner is a perfect option for the Hurricanes in net but on the safe side, I’m going to predict that the Hurricanes’ tandem is once again Petr Mrazek and James Reimer next season.
DEFENSE
Carolina’s top-four is all but solidified for next season, with Jaccob Slavin and Dougie Hamilton, then Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce as the team’s top two pairings. Of the three unrestricted free agents on defense (Joel Edmundson, Sami Vatanen, Trevor van Riemsdyk), it’s unlikely that any are back, as the Hurricanes already have six capable defensemen left on the roster, as well as Jake Bean, who’ll be fighting for a spot.
Speaking of Bean, what happens with Jake Gardiner is likely to have a major impact on Bean's role next season. I’d bet on Gardiner being moved in the offseason, leaving Bean and Haydn Fleury as the bottom pairing. If Gardiner was to stay, perhaps we get Gardiner and Fleury but I don’t think it’s ideal to have Gardiner on the third pairing, plus it would mean no spot for Bean.
As for the spare defenseman, I’d imagine the spot could be taken by either Gustav Forsling or Roland McKeown. Both will be 24 years old at the start of the season and it’s probably time that at least one of the two gets called up on a permanent basis, as they can't really develop any more in the minors at this point. They could sub in if there’s an injury and it’s probably better that McKeown gets a shot at adjusting to the NHL or Forsling gets another chance at it. Oliwer Kaski could also compete for a roster spot but my guess would be that both Forsling and McKeown are probably more likely to make the jump. Depending on the situation up front, there’s a chance the Hurricanes go with eight defensemen and 13 forwards to start the season, in which case, both Forsling and McKeown could be up on the main roster.
Here’s my projection for what Carolina’s defense group and goaltending situation will look like next season:
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