May 17, 2024 | 4:10pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
MANY ROSTER DECISIONS NEEDED IN CAROLINA
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Jake Guentzel, forward
The Carolina Hurricanes are still decompressing after losing to the New York Rangers in the second-round of the playoffs and ending their season on Thursday, but decisions loom over which players may be staying and which may be leaving once the July 1 free agent market opens.
The Hurricanes have eight skaters and one goalie eligible to become UFAs in several weeks: forwards Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen, and defencemen Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo and Jalen Chatfield, and netminder Antti Raanta.
As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on multiple occasions, contract negotiations between the Hurricanes and most of their key pending free agents were almost nonexistent this season – specifically with Teravainen, Pesce and Skjei. While some discussions took place, the heavy lifting as pushed for the off-season, and that time has arrived.
It is unclear when contract discussions will pick up between the Hurricanes and their soon-to-be UFAs, but with less than seven weeks until the market opens, GM Don Waddell will need to get to work in short order.
Canes have 8 UFAs this July: Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook, Stefan Noesen, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jalen Chatfield & Anthony DeAngelo. They made it clear they want Guentzel long-term; talks with the others were nearly nonexistent. Time to work in Raleigh.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 17, 2024
When the Hurricanes acquired Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the trade deadline, they relayed the message that they would like to hold on to him and sign him long-term. It is unknown, at this point, if Guentzel will consider inking a deal before July 1 or if he plans on testing the market before making any decisions.
The Hurricanes have around $30 million in salary cap space to play with going into next season and that will give them enough of a leash to make additions to the roster and fill any holes created by any departures.