Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency: Who Gets Resigned and Who Moves On?

With less than two months before free agency begins, we make predictions on which Carolina Hurricanes players resign with the team.

The Carolina Hurricanes look poised to make a splash this off-season. They are equipped with tons of assets and cap space to do so. However, they need to also address some of the questions surrounding their current batch of upcoming free agents.

Throw in the unknown of the expansion draft and the Canes have some decisions to make regarding who they choose to extend new deals to. Already, we’ve seen Klas Dahlbeck receive a new contract, which in all likelihood makes him a potential lamb to the expansion draft slaughter. Still, the Canes have other unanswered questions that need resolutions.

Let’s take a look at the Carolina free agent situation as it stands. We will be assessing NHL roster players, so no Checkers FAs today. Here are some predictions on who resigns and who doesn’t.

Teuvo Teravainen – Yes

Carolina’s biggest piece of domestic business this summer is resigning Teuvo Teravainen. It shouldn’t be much of a challenge though. The Canes have dealt with similar bridge deal situations in recent years with Victor Rask and Elias Lindholm. Teravainen’s extension will probably be something like 2 years, $7 million. Anything north of $4 million per year is probably pushing it though.

Carolina Hurricanes /

Carolina Hurricanes

Jay McClement – No

A good veteran servant for the last few seasons, Jay McClement has reached the end of his Carolina Hurricanes road, and maybe even his NHL one. The 34 year old had only 8 points in 65 games. Plus, he played almost none during Carolina’s insane season ending point streak. He won’t be back next season.

Brock McGinn – Yes

During the second half of last season, Brock McGinn really came on as a great grinding forward. He looks like a future piece of Carolina’s bottom six. He will be resigned for a season or two at about $1-1.5 million per year.

Derek Ryan – No

This one hurts a little. It would be certainly weird to see a Masterton Trophy Finalist not get resigned by their team, but it looks like that might happen. Derek Ryan‘s story is noble sure, but is production is very replaceable. Carolina would likely let their inspiring player go in favor of a younger player getting a chance. It’s not a popular move, but probably the right one. Expect Ryan to be snatched up in early July pretty quickly though.

Matt Tennyson – No

The only reason Matt Tennyson resigns with the Hurricanes is to serve the same purpose as Dahlbeck. However, by not scoring a goal this season and playing dreadful at times, it’s not even worth doing that. Tennyson will be looking for a new team in July.

Scott Darling – Yes

We’ve already covered Scott Darling‘s move to Carolina, so if you need a refresher, take a look here. It makes sense for both sides to reach a deal. Darling wants to be a starter and Carolina needs one. Given the similar circumstances, expect Darling’s new deal to somewhat mirror current Canes goalie Eddie Lack‘s. The Swede came to Carolina hoping to be a starter and was paid $5.5 million over two seasons. Darling maybe deserves a little more, so they will ink him at $6.5 million over two seasons.

Andrej Nestrasil – No

Everything in Andrej Nestrasil‘s career looked to be going wonderfully. He was really enjoying himself as Jordan Staal‘s winger in 2015-16. That changed when he fractured his vertebrae at the tail end of the season. Ever since, he has not been the same. He struggled for ice time in the NHL and AHL, has voiced his frustrations, and will likely be playing in Europe next season.

Phil di Giuseppe – Yes

Phil di Giuseppe ended the season in Charlotte, but spent last season hopping back and forth equally. He will probably be ready to make the jump full time this fall. His new deal will be something similar to McGinn’s, but probably a little less. Let’s say a one year extension worth $1 million.

Next: This Summer is Make or Break For Francis

Again, these are all just predictions. Do you think similar things will happen though? Let us know in the comments.

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