Carolina Hurricanes Prepare for a Big Week Ahead

Today starts a very big week in the NHL and for the Carolina Hurricanes. Tonight is a rare Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals in Florida where the winner takes the Stanley Cup home. The Florida Panthers have blown a 3-0 lead and the Edmonton Oilers are looking to make history with a 4th straight win to clinch the title. The rest of the week and next Monday will be lively around hockey.

As far as the Carolina Hurricanes are concerned, the NHL buyout will begin mid-week, followed by the NHL entry draft on Friday and Saturday. The calm before the storm Sunday gives way to the opening of the free agent market on Monday, July 1st.

The lone free agent brought back already is Jalen Chatfield, but Eric Tulsky has a lot of work to do this week. Not only does he currently have 9 draft choices on the weekend but he has three major restricted free agents to either sign or trade. Seth Jarvis and Jack Drury likely remain in Raleigh but the trade winds around the draft will pick up around Martin Necas.

If a Necas trade goes down at the draft an adjoining move should most certainly come quickly after that. it may just be the new contract for Jarvis or the re-signing of an unrestricted free agent. All signs are pointing toward Jake Guentzel testing the market but the Canes are looking for a "hockey trade" involving Necas. This will mean a solid player in return to make up for the loss of Guentzel and/or Teuvo Teravainen.

Get some sleep in the coming days because the craziness is about to begin!