Carolina Hurricanes 2021-22 Season Preview

We're getting a little bit back to normal after the weird, condensed 2020-21 season. The 56-game season saw the Hurricanes in a new division with a new set of teams that they'd face off with eight times each. That was last season though and we're back to where we started. Carolina will return to their crop of familiar foes in the Metropolitan Division and we'll see games against everyone in the league, including two meetings with the Seattle Kraken in their inaugural season. The race to finish in the top three in the division will begin on October 14 against the New York Islanders. I want to spend some time talking about the team, the new additions, and the expectations for this season. 

2020-21 in 100 words

The Hurricanes completed one of their most successful regular seasons in team history on the backs of brilliant performances from its stars. The team received contributions all through the lineup and the goaltending was amongst the best in the league, all culminating in their first regular season division title since 2005-06 and a Jack Adams Award win for coach Rod Brind’Amour. The postseason wasn’t as kind to them. After a six-game series win over the Nashville Predators that featured four overtime games to open the playoffs, the Canes fell to the eventual champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.

Notable Exits

D Dougie Hamilton (10-32-42 in 55 games, signed 7x$9m with New Jersey)

G Alex Nedeljkovic (15-3-3, 1.90 GAA, .932 SV% in 23 games, traded to Detroit)

G Petr Mrazek (6-2-3, 2.06 GAA, .923 SV% in 12 games, signed 3x$3.8m with Toronto)

F Warren Foegele (10-10-20 in 53 games, traded to Edmonton)

F Brock McGinn (8-5-13 in 37 games, signed 4x$2.75m with Pittsburgh)

D Jake Bean (1-11-12 in 42 games, traded to Columbus)

D Jani Hakanpaa (2-1-3 in 15 games, signed 3x$1.5m with Dallas)

G James Reimer (15-5-2, 2.66 GAA, .906 SV% in 22 games, signed 2x$2.25m with San Jose)

F Cedric Paquette (3-4-7 in 38 games, signed 1x$950k with Montreal)

Notable New Faces

F Jesperi Kotkaniemi (acquired via offer sheet from Montreal, 1x$6.1m, 5-15-20 in 56 games)

Of all the moves the Canes made in the offseason, this might be the most high-profile of them. For the first time since 2007, Carolina completed a successful offer sheet, taking Kotkaniemi from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for their first and third-round picks. Many saw this as the Canes trying to get back at Montreal for the Aho offer sheet, while others saw this as a strategic move to improve their offense. I think this is a change of scenery move for Kotkaniemi in a new system where he'll likely get more opportunities. 

F Derek Stepan (signed in free agency, 1x$1.35m, 1-5-6 in 20 games with Ottawa)

This is a move to sign a veteran center for the fourth line. Though he's just 31 years old, Stepan's best years are likely in the past. He eclipsed 50+ points six times in his first eight seasons but hasn't topped 35 points in the last two seasons. Stepan's season ended in March due to a shoulder injury, but he's expected to be ready for the start of the season. 

F Josh Leivo (signed in free agency, 1x$750k, 6-3-9 in 37 games with Calgary)

This is another depth forward signing to try and compete for one of the last winger spots on the roster. Leivo only played in 37 games last season, spending a lot of time as a healthy scratch. He's not known for his scoring with his career-high being 14 goals and 24 points in 2018-19 between Toronto and Vancouver. He won't light the lamp often but could fill a critical role on the fourth line.

G Frederik Andersen (signed in free agency, 2x$4.5m, 13-8-3, 2.96 GAA, .895 SV% in 24 games with Toronto)

With three goalies gone, the team needed to sign a new duo of goalies and the presumed starter from this group is Frederik Andersen. When he's healthy, Andersen is a high-quality starter, finishing 4th in Vezina voting in 2017-18 while in Toronto. The problem has been that he can't stay healthy. He only played in 24 games last season and the results weren't always pretty. The Canes are buying low on his ability to be the Vezina-caliber goalie he has been and lead this team in the net.

G Antti Raanta (signed in free agency, 2x$2m, 5-5-2, 3.36 GAA, .905 SV% in 12 games with Arizona)

The second goalie of the new tandem is Antti Raanta. Much like Andersen, Raanta is great when he's healthy, sporting a 2.46 GAA and a .919 SV% in 198 career games, but therein lies the problem. He only played in 12 games last season, spending most of the season on the shelf or playing behind Darcy Kuemper in Arizona. He's another goalie the team is hoping can step in and remain healthy for a full season to support Andersen and serve as the starter should something happen to him.

D Ethan Bear (acquired via trade with Edmonton, 2-6-8 in 43 games)

Of all the moves the Canes made in the offseason, this might be the one I'm the most intrigued and excited by. Bear was acquired from the Oilers for Warren Foegele after his production took a step back from 2019-20. Adding Bear to this strong defensive core is going to be fun because he could slot in anywhere in the lineup. I'm also interested in seeing whether or not he's used on the power play this season after Edmonton used him less last season. I'm expecting big things from him. 

D Ian Cole (signed in free agency, 1x$2.9m, 1-7-8 in 54 games with Colorado and Minnesota)

Cole is a solid veteran addition to a blueline that is seeing its fair share of turnover. He began the season with Colorado before being traded just two games into the season to the Wild, where he put up all eight of his points. He's another defender that isn't going to put up big numbers but is going to be a solid third-pair defenseman.

D Brendan Smith (signed in free agency, 1x$800k, 5-5-10 in 48 games with New York (R))

Smith is a sandpaper player that isn't going to put up points but is going to hit people and get into fights if he needs to. He's eclipsed 80+ hits and 70+ penalty minutes each of the last three seasons with the Rangers. Smith was a major part of the May 5th game between the Capitals and Rangers where he fought Tom Wilson and accumulated 17 penalty minutes just 50 seconds into the game. I think Smith is more likely to be the 7th defenseman that will be a healthy scratch and step in if someone gets hurt or needs a day off.

D Tony DeAngelo (signed in free agency, 1x$1m, 0-1-1 in 6 games with New York (R))

Of all the moves the team made this offseason, this was easily the most controversial. It sent shockwaves through the fanbase and was not met well, a sentiment I share as well. DeAngelo's track record precedes him and is about a mile long. He's was suspended in juniors for violating the OHL's harassment, abuse, and diversity policy against teammates and officials on three occasions, has been criticized for his political beliefs, and was kicked off the Rangers last season for an altercation that he started that ended in a physical altercation with goalie Alexander Georgiev. His lack of good character overshines what is considerable talent on the ice. He posted 53 points in 68 games in 2019-20 before only playing in six games last season. My sense is that he's being brought in to replace the production of Dougie Hamilton and play on the first defensive pair with Jaccob Slavin for 1/9th the cost. If it works out for the team, then the management will look brilliant from an "on the ice" perspective. The question is going to be at what cost did this success come when you're alienating a large portion of your fanbase by signing a guy that has proven to be a locker room problem. He hasn't caused any major waves since signing with the team. It's far too early to say he's turned over a new leaf, and many won't ever get to the point they're saying that. 

My Projected Opening Night Lineup

Forwards

Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Teuvo Teravainen

I see no reason why these three should be torn apart. Give us a full season with the three best forwards on the time, like Boston, Colorado, and Winnipeg. The chemistry the three of them share is well-documented in their numbers and the highlight reel plays they've been part of when together. With Svechnikov getting a new contract, putting him with point producers and skilled passers will make this contract worthwhile

Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Vincent Trocheck-Martin Necas

Vincent Trocheck is going into a contract year, so there's going to be some serious focus on him in the front office. Flanking him with two young talents that can score the puck will be helpful. Martin Necas broke out last season and Jesperi Kotkaniemi needs to be with players that can help to elevate him. Both Trocheck and Necas produced last season, so hopefully, that can rub off on their newest addition.

Nino Niederreiter-Jordan Staal-Jesper Fast

Niederreiter is another player that stepped it up last season, scoring 20 goals. He, like Trocheck, is in the last season of his contract, so there's going to be a little pressure to produce similar numbers. Jordan Staal is the leader of the team and he produced more than expected offensively too. Add Jesper Fast to the mix as a solid two-way player and this line might put up some points. 

Jordan Martinook-Derek Stepan-Josh Leivo

This is different from the typical fourth line the Canes usually put out there. Usually, you'd see young guys fill out the lineup along with the likes of Martinook. This season could be different with the number of veterans the team signed in the offseason. Martinook will bring some grit, while Stepan and Leivo will look to establish themselves as regulars after not playing much last season.

Defense

Jaccob Slavin-Tony DeAngelo

This is discount Slavin-Hamilton with DeAngelo being positioned to be on the first defensive pairing. DeAngelo having a prominent role is going to anger most but from a hockey perspective, this is how it's likely going to be. Slavin is known as a shutdown defender, while DeAngelo is known more for his offense and not being the best defender. I'm sensing a pattern here.

Brady Skjei-Brett Pesce

These two played together a lot last season and make for a great second pairing. Pesce is similar to Slavin in some ways, while not as highly regarded. Skjei can provide more of the offense, while Pesce makes up for most of the defense. The hope is that they can get hot and make up for the lost production of Dougie Hamilton to ease the burden of Slavin.

Ian Cole-Ethan Bear

Putting a young player with a veteran is usually a good recipe for success. While I'd love to see Bear paired with Slavin, this might be more realistic. Bear is an intriguing addition to the defense and Ian Cole hasn't been talked about much. With 600 games in his sight, his expertise will be helpful in Bear having a breakout season.

Goalies

Frederick Anderson-Antti Raanta

The team is starting over between the pipes, but the expectation is that Frederik Andersen is going to be the starter on Opening Night against the Islanders. He's being paid the most between the two goalies, so it just makes the most sense. It would be a huge surprise if Raanta started, though injuries can happen to change the plans. I just hope that isn't the case.

Extras

Steven Lorentz, Brendan Smith

I think Leivo and Lorentz are interchangeable, but I figure they'll give the new guy the first game in the lineup to get him accustomed to the team. The former 7th round pick was a great story last season, playing in 45 games and putting up eight points, along with three assists in the playoffs. Brendan Smith is a versatile player, able to play forward and defense. This will make him a valuable player, though I don't see him as being more than just the extra defenseman for the time being.

Ten Predictions for the Season

1. Tony DeAngelo will make it through the season without a single incident

Let's get this one out of the way early. It's bad that I have to make this a prediction, but this is where we're at. This seems like a shallow goal, but my expectations is that DeAngelo is going to be under a microscope all season long by both the front office and the fans. He's going to make it a full season without incident, though I'm not sure it'll help put the fans at ease.

2. Jaccob Slavin will be a finalist for the Norris Trophy

With the exit of Dougie Hamilton during free agency, Slavin is going to be looked at to help pick up some of his production. Slavin's offensive numbers aren't that bad in fairness, but it would be nice to see him score a little more. If he can put up some big numbers and continue to be the superstar he is on defense, there's no reason why he can't be in contention for the Norris. 

3. Ethan Bear is the team's breakout player for the season

I'm very excited to see how Bear fits into this team and I think he's going to be an excellent addition to the defense. Bear isn't known for his offense, but maybe giving him a chance on the second power play unit will be helpful. Putting him with Jaccob Slavin on the top pairing may also be beneficial, but I don't see that as being too likely.

4. Frederick Andersen bounces back, stays healthy, and finishes top seven in Vezina voting

The Canes have found a way to make their goalies look extremely good, just ask Petr Mrazek, Curtis McElhinney, James Reimer, and Alex Nedeljkovic in recent seasons. I think Frederik Andersen is going to take Carolina by storm and prove why he was once a solid starter and can still be despite his injury problems and inconsistencies in recent seasons.

5. We will see two of Ryan Suzuki, Seth Jarvis, and Jack Drury play by the end of the season

The organization's prospect pool is a deep one and there are plenty of players that are close to being ready and likely could make the team next season. Among these top players are Suzuki, Jarvis, and Drury and I think at least two of them are going to get some playing time for one reason of another. I think Drury and Suzuki are the most likely to do it, but I'd love to see Jarvis get some ice time.

6. Jesperi Kotkaniemi tops 50 points and has signed an extension by the end of January

With Kotkaniemi being the newest big addition that was worthy of a $6.1 million offer sheet, there are some lofty expectations for him this season. With him likely to be a regular with an elevated role, it wouldn't be too crazy to think he couldn't make it to 50 points as a second or third-line player. There are already talks of him getting an extension, but he isn't able to sign until January 1.

7. The Canes will have top ten power play and penalty kill units

This isn't too much of a bold prediction considering the Canes featured the second-best power play and the third-best penalty kill last season. With the exit of Hamilton on the power play, they need to find a defenseman to step up. A lot of the same faces remain on the penalty kill, but it's hard to replicate the success the team had on special teams last season. I think they'll be able to do it again.

8. Sebastian Aho will break Eric Staal's franchise record of 45 goals

Since the team's relocation from Hartford to Raleigh, the top mark for goals in a season is Eric Staal's 45 goals during the 2005-06 season. Aho came extremely close in 2019-20 before the pandemic started when he scored 38 goals in 68 games. I think he'll be able to finally do it this season and might even be the first to break 50 goals as a Hurricane. He might even flirt with Blaine Stoughton's 56 from Hartford.

9. The team will finish in the top three of the division to earn an automatic spot in the postseason

A lot of talk has been about how bad the Canes' offseason was with the loss of Hamilton in free agency, the trade of Nedeljkovic, and many other poor decisions. I'm choosing to see the good in the offseason. The Metropolitan Division is going to be the toughest division in the league, but I think the Canes still have the ability to finish in the top three. I see them finishing in second in the division personally.

10. The Carolina Hurricanes will play in the Eastern Conference Final

I don't think I'm crazy for thinking the Canes could be Stanley Cup contenders this season. A more reasonable assessment would be to say the Canes can certainly represent the Metropolitan in the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the Islanders and others. I'm not sure if they have the ability to beat a team like Tampa Bay yet, but I think they could certainly give them a run for their money.