The word "dream" has many definitions. In its most common interpretation, it's what you do when you're sleeping. In another sense, it's idealistic or something you aspire to. In the sense I'm using it, it's the exact opposite. These "dream" targets might be a little unrealistic. There's a world where they could be Hurricanes on July 1st, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
In the coming days, I'll talk about a few more free agents that the Hurricanes might be a little more keen on and could be more realistic additions to the lineup. However, with less than a month until free agency begins, no one knows what will happen once the calendar hits July. The Hurricanes are well-positioned for an aggressive offseason, so all bets are off.
1. Marco Rossi
Let's address the elephant in the room with this first free agent: Marco Rossi is a pending restricted free agent. This means his rights are still tied to the Minnesota Wild. The only ways the Hurricanes can acquire Rossi from Minnesota are to trade for his rights or sign him to an offer sheet and hope the Wild don't match it. The likelihood of this is slim, but it's worth exploring.
The Canes are no strangers to offer sheets. Just look at the drama with the Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi situations. It's a little ironic that Rossi would, in my estimation, be Kotkaniemi's replacement. In his second full season, Rossi recorded his second straight 20-goal season while hitting 60 points, a 20-point improvement from his true rookie campaign.
Obviously, trying to sign an RFA is hard, and Minnesota's current situation makes it a little tougher. The Wild have decent cap space and few big-name free agents to sign. Plus, as much as the Canes' front office loves their draft picks, it might not be worth the risk. I'd place the odds of a successful offer sheet very low. If this move were to happen, it would likely be as a trade.
2. Mitch Marner
During the conference finals, I pondered the idea of Mitch Marner possibly becoming a Hurricane on July 1. The response was overwhelmingly negative from the Caniacs on social media. I'll recognize that the opinions of the internet should not influence the decisions of the front office. Most took issue with the price and Marner's disappearing act in the playoffs during most seasons.
There's no good explanation for Marner's postseason struggles, but there's no denying how lethal he's been during the regular season. He's coming off the first 100-point season of his career. Marner will always be a bigger playmaker than a goal scorer, notching at least 40 assists in all nine seasons with the Maple Leafs.
I agree with the masses about the price point being a major reason why the Hurricanes might not sign him. However, the oddsmakers have the Canes as one of the four frontrunners, trailing only Chicago and Toronto, and barely ahead of Vegas. It makes sense that the Canes would be appealing. They're a contender with plenty of money and a major need. Why wouldn't they be in the hunt?
3. Brad Marchand
The only scenario that feels as bizarre as Brad Marchand signing in Toronto might be Brad Marchand signing in Raleigh. Could you imagine Marchand and Pyotr Kochetkov sharing a locker room? The world might implode. Marchand has been a thorn in the Hurricanes' side for a long time. No player has more goals and points in the postseason against the Hurricanes than Marchand.
How do you avoid facing him in the playoffs? By signing him. While he's getting up there in years, Marchand has proven during these playoffs that there is still plenty left in the tank. At 37, Marchand won't be committing to anything long-term. It might cost a little, but it wouldn't hurt to have a player with his experience for a year or two.
While there's no denying Marchand's skill, he might not be the type of fit for the Canes' Top 6 at this stage in his career. He can still be an impact player, but they wouldn't be getting the Marchand from a decade ago that was threatening for 90-100 points. Marchand could be the pest the Canes have long needed while showing flashes of a solid two-way game. You have to admit this would be intriguing.