Key Takeaways:
– The Carolina Hurricanes are eyeing contract extensions for Jake Guentzel and Brett Pesce among others.
– Brett Pesce, drafted by Carolina, seemingly declined a $55 million contract extension.
– Jake Guentzel has indicated his readiness to sign a long-term contract with the Hurricanes.
– Brady Skjei is being considered for an extension ahead of the summer free agency.
– The Hurricanes entry into free agency sees them with a significant $28.13 million in cap space, allowing for player re-signing and potential acquisitions.
An End to the Season, Beginning of Negotiations
On May 18 and 19, the Carolina Hurricanes held their end-of-season media availability sessions, a forum that allowed players and coaches to interact with the media one last time this season. Star forward, Jake Guentzel expressed his willingness to sign a contract extension with the Hurricanes, signifying a pivotal step in the summer shift. However, signing extensions will all boil down to the players accepting Carolina’s offer.
Free agency contracts have been rejected by other players in the past. The Carolina Hurricanes are treading gently yet confidently into the upcoming free agency, with the promise of prospective deals.
The Upcoming Free Agency
The eyes of NHL analyst, Elliotte Friedman, have been keenly observing the developments around the Carolina Hurricanes’ free agents. An episode of the informative podcast “32 Thoughts,” released on May 17, delved into the potential happenings in the team ahead of the much-awaited July 1 opening of free agency.
In the episode, Friedman pointed out that the Hurricanes attempted a deal with Brett Pesce, Carolina’s original draftee, proposing a hefty $55 million offer. Pesce seemed not to favor the extension, adding to the complexity of the impending free agency showdown. Similar sentiments were echoed by Pesce’s father, albeit in a now-deleted social media post after the Hurricanes’ playoff elimination.
Guentzel’s Possible Extension
The Hurricanes are also keen on retaining Jake Guentzel following their contract deadline for 2024. Guentzel, a sought-after forward, stated during his exit interview that while the door is open to exit as a free agent, he remains positive about extending his time with the Hurricanes. He heaped praises on the team and the city of Raleigh, hinting at his happiness with the current setup.
Brady Skjei’s Potential Retention
Emerging on the Hurricanes’ horizon is defenseman Brady Skjei, whose situation is yet another keen interest of Friedman. The Canes tried to lure Skjei with an extension, reportedly a deal similar to that of Dmitry Orlov’s short tenure but high figure agreement.
Navigating Free Agency
The Hurricanes are armed with potent flexibility as they step into the open market. The team’s higher echelons are rumored to be exploring opportunities that might unfold in the free agency period, with an eye on possible incoming players who need cap space.
The team can afford to wait-and-see with a whopping $28.13 million in cap space according to PuckPedia, covering just 16 of the 25 required players for the next season. This flexibility could lead to the retention of current players or the acquisition of new talent to strengthen the Hurricanes’ ranks.