New York Rangers rivals: Carolina Hurricanes season preview

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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 6: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Carolina Hurricanes communicates with teammates in the bench area during an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 6, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Arrivals

For a team that got to the Conference Finals, the Hurricanes didn’t stand pat over the summer. Their big free agent signing was Ryan Dzingel who scored 26 goals for Ottawa and Columbus.

They were also helped immensely when the Montreal Canadiens signed forward Sebastian Aho to an offer sheet that the Canes promptly matched. Already considered one of the best young players in the NHL, the five year, $43 million deal was seen by many as a bargain.

The last big free agent acquisition came just before training camp when the Hurricanes signed Toronto defenseman Jake Gardiner to a very reasonable $4.05 annual hit. Gardiner had been seen as one of the top UFA’s, but had not gotten much interest, hence the low salary.

They also picked up depth in forward Brian Gibbons and ex-Ranger Fredrik Claesson.

The Gardiner signing allowed the Hurricanes to trade Justin Faulk, on the last year of his contract, to St. Louis for defenseman Joel Edmundson, also a pending unrestricted free agent. They also acquired 2018 first round draft pick Dominik Bokk, a left wing with a lot of potential who is playing in Sweden.

James Reimer came from Florida in a swap of goaltenders. Reimer was expendable with the signing of Sergei Bobrovsky and the Hurricanes were able to unload Scott Darling who had been handed the top goaltending job in Carolina and failed miserably.

They acquired forward Erik Haula from Vegas, one season removed from scoring 29 goals. That was a deal to help the Vegas cap situation.

The Canes took advantage of their cap situation by trading for Patrick Marleau. In exchange for a sixth round pick, the Hurricanes took on Marleau’s contract and got a first round pick to boot. The ultimately bought out the Marleau contract and he signed with San Jose.

Departures

As previously mentioned, longtime Hurricane Justin Faulk took his defensive game to St. Louis. Also traded was Calvin De Haan who was dealt to the Blackhawks for minor league goaltender Anton Forsberg and forward Gustav Forsling, currently in the AHL.

Micheal Ferland took his 17 goals to the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent.

The Rangers signed utility forward Greg McKegg and minor leaguer Phillip Di Giuseppe and also traded for defenseman Adam Fox who never intended to sign with the Hurricanes.

The biggest loss for the Hurricanes may be short lived. Team captain and inspirational leader Justin Williams has not signed and is sitting out the season. The common consensus is that he will eventually re-up with the Hurricanes after a long break from hockey after a very long season. Complicating matters is the fact that the Canes have a little over $1 million in cap space so the longer the 38-year old Williams sits out, the better.

Williams is one of the best clutch playoff performers and he was the originator of the Storm Surge. Jordan Staal has been named captain to replace him and the Hurricanes don’t seem to be missing Williams so far.

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