2020-21
Record: 36-12-8 80 points – 1st in the Discover Central Division
Playoffs: Lost to Tampa Bay in 2nd Round
Key Losses
F – Warren Foegele, D – Jake Bean, G – Alex Nedeljkovic, G – Petr Mrazek, G – James Reimer, D – Dougie Hamilton, D – Jani Hakanpaa, F – Morgan Geekie, F – Brock McGinn, D – Jake Gardiner (injured)
Key Additions
G – Frederik Andersen, D – Ian Cole, D – Ethan Bear, G – Antti Raanta, D – Brendan Smith, F – Stefan Noesen, F – Josh Leivo, F – Derek Stepan, F – Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Jerseys
2021-22 Preview
After being bounced out of the playoffs in the second round by the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, the Carolina Hurricanes did some overhauling on their roster. Starting in net, all three goaltenders are now gone as Petr Mrazek signed with Toronto, James Reimer returned to San Jose, and shockingly Alex Nedeljkovic was traded to Detroit. Now between the pipes are Antti Raanta and Frederik Andersen, and together they will be tasked to bring the same level of stability to the Hurricanes net, but with hopes they can get over the hump and make it to the Stanley Cup Final for a chance at the Cup. Both are capable goaltenders who have both been number one goalies in the past, but injury concerns and inconsistency has plagued both men.
On defense there was also some restructuring as Dougie Hamilton and Jani Hakanpaa would both leave in free agency, and they would trade Jake Bean to Columbus, and in return the would acquire Ethan Bear from Edmonton and Ian Cole and Brendan Smith via free agency. Bear is going to get a fresh start with the Hurricanes and should play top four minutes for the club. Meanwhile, the additions of Ian Cole will bring some stability and Stanley Cup winning experience to the blue line, and Brendan Smith will bring some additional grit to the team.
Offensively the team is about the same. Warren Foegele was traded to Edmonton for Bear, but it was known that Foegele needed a change of scenery, and Morgan Geekie was selected by Seattle in the Expansion Draft. The signings of Stefan Noesen, Derek Stepan, and Josh Leivo will give the Hurricanes additional forward depth, and Ryan Suzuki will look to become a permanent member of the roster.
Projected Lineup
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Teuvo Teravainen
Nino Niederreiter — Vincent Trocheck — Martin Necas
Ryan Suzuki — Jordan Staal — Jesper Fast
Jordan Martinook — Derek Stepan — Josh Leivo
Jaccob Slavin — Brett Pesce
Brady Skjei — Ethan Bear
Ian Cole — Brendan Smith
Frederik Andersen
Antti Raanta
*Jesper Kotkaniemi was acquired after preview was written.
