Every offseason, it's the big-time players who garner all of the headlines when they sign with new teams. Rarely does the little fish ever get that type of notoriety. That makes it all the more satisfying to front offices when their depth addition turns into a key contributor to their team's success. The Carolina Hurricanes' history is littered with excellent examples.
These five players might not go down in history as the best to ever play the game, but they served a valuable role in the success of the teams they played on. In one player's case, he's still helping them today. Not every success story is written the same way. Some take different paths to become stalwarts on the roster.
5. Derek Ryan
Forging a path that defied the odds, Derek Ryan has one of the most interesting stories of any former Hurricane. After four seasons in the WHL and four more in college, Ryan didn't have any interest from NHL teams, opting to sign in Europe. Across the pond, Ryan became an MVP in both Austria and Sweden. The Hurricanes took notice, signing him to a contract in 2015.
During his first pro season in North America, Ryan lit up the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers. His number was finally called on March 1, 2016, with the team in New Jersey. In his NHL debut, at 29 years old, Ryan scored on the power play in a 3-1 victory over the Devils. He became a full-time member of the roster the following season.
Ryan's tenure with the Hurricanes was short, lasting just 153 games from 2016 to 2018. Still, he set career highs with the Canes, scoring 15 goals and 38 points in 2017-18. He matched his point total the following season with the Calgary Flames. Ryan has seen more success with the Oilers over the last few years, appearing in the Stanley Cup Final in 2024.
4. Chad LaRose
There are few former Hurricanes more beloved than Chad LaRose. He was never the flashiest player who put up big numbers, but he could be counted on to showcase his larger-than-life personality. Even still, LaRose had a big moment or two as a Hurricane after joining the team as an undrafted free agent.
After a record-setting season with the Plymouth Whalers netted him a deal, LaRose worked his way through the minor leagues and landed with the Hurricanes for the 2005-06 season. He scored his first NHL goal against Martin Brodeur a week before Christmas and appeared in three games in the 2006 Cup Final, earning a chance to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup as a rookie.
LaRose played his entire NHL career with the Canes, spending eight seasons in Raleigh. Famously, he recorded the primary assist on Eric Staal's Game 7 win over New Jersey in 2009. He scored 180 points in 508 games, adding 12 more points during the long postseason runs in 2006 and 2009. He'll forever be a fan favorite in these parts.
3. Antti Raanta
The goalie room faced a massive overhaul following the 2021 season. With Petr Mrazek and James Reimer leaving in free agency and Alex Nedeljkovic traded to Detroit, the Canes were starting from square one. The Hurricanes signed Frederik Andersen to a deal, but the addition of Antti Raanta likely didn't raise much attention.
The 32-year-old netminder spent the last four seasons in the desert with the Coyotes, serving as the third goalie in the rotation to Darcy Kuemper and Adin Hill. With the Canes, he'd have a chance to be the backup to Andersen. Raanta took the ball and ran with it. His time with the team will be remembered for his ability to simply win games.
Over three seasons, Raanta went 46-15-9 in 79 appearances, matching his win total from four seasons with the Coyotes. He won the Jennings Trophy with Andersen in 2021-22, led the team to a series victory over the Bruins in 2022, and finished Top 10 in the league in GAA twice. There's a lot that can be made about his final season with the Canes, but his impact before was very impressive.
2. Stefan Noesen
While his path to the Hurricanes featured several detours, Stefan Noesen turned into a machine during his two full seasons with the team. Drafted by the Senators in 2011, Noesen played for Anaheim, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Toronto before finally arriving with the Canes organization in 2021.
Noesen appeared twice for the Canes during the 2021-22 season, though he was one of the AHL's best in Chicago. He led the league in goals (48) and was third in points (85) as the Wolves won the Calder Cup in 2022. When he earned a roster spot in 2022 with the big club, Noesen became a force in front of the net.
Over the next two seasons, Noesen set career highs in goals and points, scoring 27 goals and 75 points in 159 games. He added eight goals over two postseason runs with the group. Noesen returned to New Jersey last offseason, where he eclipsed 20 goals and 40 points for the first time. He was a late bloomer, but Noesen is doing great things now.
1. Jalen Chatfield
I'm not sure why this game sticks out to me, but I remember watching a Toronto-Vancouver game in 2021 and specifically remember watching Jalen Chatfield get dangled by Auston Matthews before scoring a goal. Chatfield was a -4 in that game, epitomizing how poorly his first stretch in the NHL went with the Canucks. In 18 games in 2021, Chatfield had one assist and was -11.
When the Canucks let Chatfield walk and the Hurricanes signed him the following offseason, I didn't think much of it. He played 16 games with the team in 2021-22, spending most of the season winning the Calder Cup with Noesen and the Wolves. However, he sprang into the lineup the following season. Chatfield hasn't looked back since.
Chatfield has topped 70 games in all three seasons on the main roster. He is an important part of the team's penalty kill, being relied upon as one of their best defensive defensemen, behind Jaccob Slavin. He can flash his offense when needed. Chatfield is under contract for two more seasons, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's in Raleigh longer than that.