Svechnikov's return to the lineup remains uncertain but it appears he will likely miss at least the first six games of the season. Last season, Svechnikov scored 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games before having season-ending knee surgery. Teuvo Teravainen stands to be the biggest benefactor and will likely slide up to the left-wing position on the second line.
Despite having an impressive preseason, recording five points (2G / 3A) in six games, a logjam of offensive talent on the Dallas Stars' roster has prevented Stankoven from cracking the opening night roster. Stankoven will likely see some time in the NHL this year but as he awaits his callup, the Stars' top prospect should see top-line minutes playing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour called it a "not serious shoulder injury," but it's still expected to sideline him for at least on week. The 2019 No.28 overall pick has yet to make his NHL debut, but had 32 points (13G / 19A) in 50 AHL games a season ago.
Svechnikov is still making his recovery after having knee surgery at the end of last season. Before his injury, Svechnikov had 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games for the Hurricanes. His status for opening night remains to be seen as he is yet to be a full participant at practice but his status should be confirmed in the coming days. If he is unable to suit up on opening night, look for Teuvo Teravainen to jump into the top-6.
Stepan played 13 NHL seasons for four franchises (NYR, ARI, CAR, OTT) and announced his retirement from professional hockey Tuesday. The 33-year-old had five goals, six assists, eight PIMs, 98 SOG, and a +8 plus/minus in 73 games played in 2022-23 with Carolina. He finished his NHL career with 182 goals, 515 points, and a +98 plus/minus through 890 games played.
On Thursday, Martin was placed on conditional waivers by Vancouver and claimed on Friday by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old goaltender struggled in 2022-23 with the Canucks, posting an 11-15-1 record, 3.99 GAA and .871 SV%. He will be joining his third NHL team (COL, VAN) and should provide goaltending depth behind the Blue Jackets' starter Elvis Merzlikins.
Aho reached 36+ goals for third time in the last four years in 2022-23 as he picked up 36 goals, 31 assists, 218 SOG, 42 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 75 games played and has now signed an eight-year, $78 million extension ($9,750,000 AAV). The 26-year-old centre has spent the first seven seasons of his career in Carolina after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Draft (35th overall) and has 218 goals, 468 points and a +80 plus/minus through 520 career NHL games.
Smith had a goal, three assists, 27 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through nine games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract extension worth $775,000 AAV. The 23-year-old defensemen was originally acquired alongside a third-round pick from New Jersey in July of 2022 for John Marino. He has eight goals, 47 points and is a -32 plus/minus across 123 career NHL games played thus far.
Lemieux had two goals, seven assists, 44 SOG, 74 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 45 games between Los Angeles and Philadelphia in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with Carolina. The 27-year-old scrappy left-wing will be joining his fifth NHL team and has 33 goals, 69 points and 484 PIMs through 275 career games.
Dustin TokarskiTokaski spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, going 12-16-7 with a 2.69 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 games. He spent some time with the Penguins, going 1-2-0 witha. 3.44 GAA and .897 SV%. He's been a reliable AHL option throughout his careeer and is serviceable (.902 career NHL SV%) at the NHL level if injuries hit teh Sabres crease.
Gostisbehere had 13 goals, 28 assists, 155 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 75 games played with both Arizona and Carolina in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year deal worth $4.125 million with Detroit. The 30-year-old offensive defensemen will join his fourth NHL team and brings 87 goals, 311 points and 140 power play points across 538 career games played.
Orlov had seven goals, 29 assists, 124 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 66 games played with both Washington and Boston in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year contract worth $15.5 million ($7.75M AAV) with Carolina. The 32-year-old defensemen took a massive offensive step forward in 2022-23 with his change of screnary to Boston which led to an impressive eight assists in seven playoff games. He brings 64 goals, 273 points and a +114 plus/minus through 709 career NHL games to the Hurricanes.
Jost was picked up off of waivers from the Wild in November and he registered 22 points (7G / 15A) in 59 games with the Sabres. The former No.10 overall pick has had a tough time getting his offensive game going at the NHL-level but has become a reliable two-way, bottom-6 option.
Andersen was 21-11-1 with a .903 SV% and 2.48 GAA In 2022-23 with Carolina and has signed a two-year extension worth $6.8 million ($3.4M AAV). The 33-year-old holds the all-time highest save percentage amounts qualified Hurricane's starters with his .915 SV% since coming to Carolina two seasons ago and has an incredible solid 282-125-52 career record with a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV%.
Fast doesn't provide a lot of offence but is a terrific two-way forward that has paired nicely with Jordan Staal during his time in Carolina. Fast scored 10 goals with 19 assists (29 points) in 80 games in 2023.
Hall had 16 goals, 20 assists, 150 SOG, a +11 plus/minus and 24 PIMs through 61 games with Boston in 2022-23 and has been traded alongside the rights of Nick Foligno to Chicago for the rights to defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. The 31-year-old will join his sixth NHL team since being drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 and was the 2017-18 Hart Memorial Trophy winner. The veteran left-winger heads to Chicago with 693 points (264G/429A) across 822 NHL games played through 13 seasons.
Staal scored 17 goals, 17 assists, 124 SOG, 32 PIMs and +7 plus/minus through 81 games in 2022-23 and has re-signed a four-year contract extension ($2.9 Million AAV) to stay in Carolina. The Hurricane's 34-year-old captain will return for his 18th NHL season in 2023-24 having picked up 645 career NHL points (275G/370A) across 1173 games played.
Robidas is the son of 15-year NHL veteran Stéphane Robidas. The Hurricanes selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL draft, and he won the 2023 Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts. He was picked up via trade from Val d'Or Foreurs and led Quebec in points during the playoffs, with 27 points (11G / 16A) in 18 games.
The Hurricanes selected Fensore in the third round (No.90 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman had nine goals and 22 assists (31 points) in 37 games at Boston University in 2023.
Perets was an undrafted free-agent goaltender that backstopped Quinnipiac University to a 2023 National Championship. The 23-year-old went 34-4-3 with a 1.49 GAA and .931 SV% in 41 games this season.
