Carolina Hurricanes 2022-23 Season Preview

The 2021-22 campaign for the Carolina Hurricanes will probably be remembered for its bitter end in the second round of the postseason. In the first full season since before the pandemic, things seemed to be back to normal for the Hurricanes and they picked up right where they left off in the regular season. Led by many of the usual suspects, a sensational rookie, a controversial addition on defense, and a new goalie tandem, the Hurricanes had their best season in the combined Whalers/Hurricanes history. With 54 wins and 116 points, last season's team eclipsed the previous marks set by the 2005-06 team that won the Stanley Cup. That new tandem of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta was met with much skepticism due to their injury history but proved everyone wrong by winning the Jennings Trophy as the league's best goalie duo. Sebastian Aho continued to prove he was the true star of this team, leading the squad in goals (37), assists (44), and points (81). Former 2nd overall pick Andrei Svechnikov continued his meteoric rise with his first 30-goal season in the NHL and scoring 69 points. The defensive pair of Jaccob Slavin and Tony DeAngelo gave teams fits all season, with Slavin continuing to be one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league. Rookie Seth Jarvis had to wait a little bit to get his turn but would end up putting one of the best rookie seasons in team history with 40 points. All of this would lead to the fifth division crown in franchise history and a date with the Boston Bruins in the first round, though they'd be doing it without their starting goalie. With each game won by the home team, the Hurricanes survived a seven-game slugfest with the Bruins to earn a chance against the New York Rangers. This season would again go seven games with the home team winning each six, but the Rangers snapped the streak by crushing the Hurricanes in Game 7 in Raleigh to send the team on an early vacation. All of the great things from the previous months felt minuscule for just a moment. 

The New Faces

With last season not ending the way everyone was hoping for, it has led to much anticipation for the upcoming campaign. The front office could sense it as well because this might've been one of the most exciting offseasons in franchise history. Don Waddell and company went out to ensure this team was bigger and better than last year's. Here are the new faces we can get forward to seeing this season. 

Max Pacioretty (LW, 33, 19 G, 18A, 37 P in 39 Games for Vegas in 2021-22)

One of the most Earth-shattering moves of the offseason came courtesy of Waddell knowing Vegas has a terrible cap situation. The Canes snagged Pacioretty and Dylan Coghlan, more on him in a minute, for future considerations. They gave up nothing to get him and got something extra. Pacioretty is known mostly for his time with the Montreal Canadiens, serving as their captain for three of his ten seasons. He was traded to Vegas before the 2018-19 season in another deal that doesn't look as good for Vegas in hindsight. He was still very good for the Golden Knights in four seasons, but spent most of last season hurt, limited to just 39 games. The 14-year veteran has played 850 games and scored 642 points while making his first All-Star team in 2020. The only downside is that we'll be waiting for a long time to see him. Pacioretty injured his Achilles during training this offseason and is estimated to miss until around or after the All-Star break. Once he does come back, the hope is that he'll be a major force for the offense. 

Brent Burns (D, 37, 10 G, 44 A, 54 P in 82 Games for San Jose in 2021-22)

We live in the most ridiculous timeline in history because the fact that Burns is a Hurricane is awesome. Known for his toothless grin, the 18-year veteran is known for playing some huge minutes, finishing third in the league last season with 26:09 TOI/GP. The forward-turned-defenseman spent his early career in Minnesota, but he's spent the best years of his career as the anchor on the Sharks' defense. Burns has made six All-Star teams and was the Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman in 2016-17 after a 76 point-season and a career-high 29 goals. He has two more top-three finishes in Norris voting and had a nice bounceback season last year. The Canes didn't give up too much to get him, trading away fan-favorite Steven Lorentz, goalie prospect Eetu Makiniemi, and a 3rd round pick in this past draft. When the trade was announced, fans were already talking about how lethal a Slavin-Burns pairing could be. I think we'll get our wish and this could be great for Burns since he likely won't need to log as many minutes as he enters the final stages of his career. 

Paul Stastny (C/LW, 36, 21 G, 24 A, 45 P in 71 Games for Winnipeg in 2021-22)

This signing came late in the offseason and has the makings of a sneaky addition to the team. Stastny is another player with a lot of experience, playing in 1,072 games in his 16-year career and scoring 800 points. Most of his best years were at the beginning of his career as a member of the Colorado Avalanche. Along with a 2nd place finish in Calder voting during his rookie campaign, Stastny would score 458 points in eight seasons with Colorado. Since then, he's played in St. Louis, Vegas, and has two stints in Winnipeg, including the last two seasons. He scored 20+ goals for the first time since 2013-14 last season with 21 goals and 45 points for the Jets. He also brings over 100 games of postseason experience, though he's never hoisted the Stanley Cup. I see him as a possible replacement for Nino Niederreiter on the third line with Staal and Fast, putting up almost identical numbers last year. This could be a steal at just $1.5 million. 

Ondrej Kase (RW, 26, 14 G, 13 A, 27 P in 50 Games for Toronto in 2021-22)

For a team known for taking risks on guys with injury history, this felt like a perfect signing for the Canes. Kase has a long history of concussions and other injuries, which could be an area of concern before the season. Concussions limited him to just three games for Boston during the shortened 2020-21 season and 50 games last year in Toronto. He was still quite good for the Maple Leafs last season when he was in the lineup, with his 14 goals the second-most of his career. He did come back to play in the postseason for Toronto after suffering a concussion in mid-March, putting up three assists in seven games. I worry about whether he'll be able to stay healthy for most of the season while likely spending his time on the fourth line. 

Dylan Coghlan (D, 24, 3 G, 10 A, 13 P in 59 Games for Vegas in 2021-22)

While the trade with Vegas was headlined by the addition of Pacioretty, the sweetener in the deal is just as interesting to me. The young defenseman has played just over a full season's worth of games in two seasons in Vegas and hasn't been known to light the lamp much, but this could only add to an already outstanding defense. He'll be competing with a bunch of guys for the third pairing on the defense and could separate himself if he proves he can quarterback the second power play unit during training camp. I can see him as likely being someone that is in and out of the third pair to start the season to try and get a feel for the style. Don't forget this name because I'm expecting big things from him.

Lane Pederson (C, 25, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P in 29 Games for Sane Jose in 2021-22)

It might be forgotten that the Canes got two players in the trade with San Jose. Much like Coghlan's addition, Pederson is overshadowed by Burns as the headliner. Pederson has played just 44 games in his NHL career between Arizona and San Jose, spending a lot of time in the AHL over the last five years. He played more games in the NHL than in the AHL last season, but was far more productive in the minors, scoring 18 points in 22 games for Tucson compared to two points in 29 games for the Sharks. It'll probably take a huge training camp for him to be in the lineup on Opening Night, I think he could start as the healthy extra or in Chicago when things get underway.

Ryan Dzingel (C, 30, 5 G, 3 A, 8 P in 32 Games for Arizona/San Jose in 2021-22)

This is a bit of a weird reunion for Dzingel with the franchise. After signing with Carolina for the 2019-20 season, Dzingel scored 29 points in 64 games in his first season and then just four points in 11 games the following season before being traded to Ottawa. He was with three different teams last season, only playing for two of them after being waived by Toronto before playing a game. He's played for five different teams in his seven seasons in the NHL, including four in the past two seasons. It wasn't long ago that he was a 20-goal scorer in the league. Watch out for him as a sleeper pick to make the team. 

Mackenzie MacEachern (LW/RW, 28, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P in 14 Games with St. Louis in 2021-22)

While you might not have heard about him, MacEachern is not a new guy in the league. He's played over 100 games in parts of four seasons with St. Louis and scored 19 points in his young career. This is clearly a depth addition for Chicago with several others in front of him for time on the fourth line. He could see some time with the team if a few guys go down with injuries. 

Zach Sawchenko (G, 24, 1-2-1, .901/3.35 in 7 Games (3 Starts) with San Jose in 2021-22)

This offseason was not a fun one for goalie depth in the organization. After trading Eetu Makiniemi in the Burns deal, Alex Lyon signing with Florida, and not signing Jack LaFontaine or Beck Warm, the team needed to add someone to the minor league roster. Last season was Sawchenko's first taste of action in the NHL, earning his first win in his sixth appearance. 

William Lagesson (D, 26, 0 G, 5 A, 5 P in 33 Games with Montreal in 2021-22)

He's yet to see consistent time in the league in three years, playing in 60 games between Edmonton and Montreal. He played most of his games with Edmonton last season before being traded to Montreal in the Brett Kulak deal. He had just seven points in his career and is likely a part of the Chicago roster to start the season after signing a two-way deal in the offseason. 

The Canes also have Derek Stepan, Calvin de Haan, and Grigori Dronov in training camp on Professional Tryouts. Stepan spent last season with the Canes, scoring nine goals and 19 points in 58 games. de Haan returns to the team after spending the last three seasons in Chicago. He was signed to a four-year deal with the Canes before the 2018-19 season but was traded just one year into the deal. Dronov is a young defenseman that has been playing in the KHL. He has no NHL experience. 

My Projected Opening Night Roster

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen-Sebastian Aho-Seth Jarvis

I think the top six can be moved around a little bit, but I think this line has the makings to be one of the best forward lines in the league. It's combining the already lethal duo of Teravainen and Aho, the most prolific scoring duo in franchise history, and the growing chemistry of Aho and Jarvis, seen at the end of the season and during the postseason. Jarvis is high on everyone's lists to break out this season and this puts him in the best position to do so. 

Andrei Svechnikov-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Martin Necas

The young line on the team, this grouping means far more for Kotkaniemi and Necas than it does for Svechnikov after proving he's a 30-goal scorer in the league. Kotkaniemi was the talk of the last offseason after being successfully offer sheeted for $6.1 million. He signed a long-term extension during the season and now has to prove he's ready for an elevated role. Necas was the talk of the fanbase all offseason after a tough season and speculation he'd be traded in the offseason. Now that he's back, it's time for him to perform.

Paul Stastny-Jordan Staal-Jesper Fast

While Staal and Fast have proven they can play with just about anyone on the team, their magic with Niederreiter last season is well-documented. With his exit this offseason, someone has to step up and join this shutdown group. Enter veteran Paul Stastny. I noted earlier that his offensive numbers were very similar to Niederreiter's last season, scoring three fewer goals and one more point than the former Hurricane. This is the team's shutdown line and easily their most experienced.

Jordan Martinook-Jack Drury-Ondrej Kase

There's a good battle brewing for the fourth line on this team. I think Martinook is the only one guaranteed to be in the lineup, leaving two open spots. I don't think you sign Kase unless you plan on using him, so this would be a great role for him. I think Drury has proven he's ready to make the jump to the NHL. He was great in the AHL and scored his first two NHL goals in his first two NHL games last December. 

Defense

Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns

There is zero question that this should be the top pairing for the team. The Canes added a minutes hog to a shutdown defenseman and both have proven they can provide offense when called upon. Burns will likely fill DeAngelo's role on the power play, while it remains to be seen if Slavin will return to the second unit. Seeing these two together will be as close to magic as we've ever seen. 

Brady Skjei-Brett Pesce

The only other pairing that I'm confident will be together spent most of the season together last year. They were an excellent compliment to the top pairing last season, though they did suffer some streaks of inconsistency. Skjei put up some serious points during 2022 and Pesce is sneaky strong on offense too. A little more consistency from them this season and the Canes might have the best top four in the league.

Ethan Bear-Dylan Coghlan

The most interesting battle of training camp revolves around the final defensive pairing on the team. There are a ton of names in contention fighting for the last two spots. Jake Gardiner was among that group until it was announced that he'd start the season on LTIR again. I think a lot of this hinges on whether Bear is traded during training camp. There was a lot of speculation all offseason that he'd be gone and it hasn't gotten quieter. I see no reason why Coghlan doesn't get the nod on Opening Night. Throw him out there and see what he does in his team debut. 

Goalies

Frederik Andersen-Antti Raanta

The only certainty as of right now is that the same goalie duo will be back at it to start the season with Andersen cementing his status as the team's starter with his play last season. When healthy, the Jennings-winning duo was phenomenal. It's hard to speculate whether they'll be as dominant with it being a brand-new season. I see no reason why they can't do it again, especially with the team playing in front of them. 

Extras

Ryan Dzingel, Lane Pederson, Jalen Chatfield

Predicting extras to open the season is probably a useless task, but I'm going to anyway. There is a laundry list of players that could be in this position. Players I considered included Stefan Noesen, Mackenzie MacEachern, and Maxime Lajoie as well as both Derek Stepan and Calvin de Haan, though they are officially signed. At the end of the day, I've chosen Dzingel and Pederson for the forwards and Chatfield for the defense. I really don't think it matters who the extras are until someone gets hurt. 

Predictions for the Upcoming Season

1. Max Pacioretty will be a point-per-game player once he returns

The Canes' biggest move of the offseason was the trade for Max Pacioretty (and Dylan Coghlan). Unfortunately, Pacioretty is hurt and won't be playing until after the All-Star Break at the earliest. He has a relatively long history of injuries, but he's known for coming back and playing really well. Once he returns to the lineup, I expect him to do the same thing in a major role for the team. He'll be even more important in the playoffs should the Canes make it to that point. 

2. The penalty kill is even better this season, topping last season's kill percentage

Last season, the Canes had the best penalty kill in the league by almost three full percentage points. They successfully killed 88.04% of their penalties, or 243 of 276 for those that want the actual numbers. This percentage is the eighth-best in league history and I think they'll be even better this coming season. Under the guidance of Tim Gleason, this kill is going to be giving the other team fits for 82 games.

3. We'll see multiple hat tricks this season in the regular season

One thing we don't see enough of as Canes fans is hat tricks. Last season, the only hat trick of the season came from Jordan Staal toward the end of the season. The year before, Sebastian Aho lit the lamp three times against Chicago. In 2019-20, technically they had two, but Andrei Svechnikov got his in the bubble, so we have to go back to 2018-19 to the last time they did it during the regular season. With some of the scorers they have, I expect to see it at least three times. 

4. The Hurricanes will have at least 2 All-Stars again this season

Another thing that doesn't happen often is the Canes sending more than one player to the All-Star Game. Last season was the first time since the team hosted the weekend spectacular in 2011 that more than one Hurricane represented the team, not to mention Rod Brind'Amour coached the winning team. As good as they have been in the last few seasons and how good I expect them to be this season, there's no reason why at least two more should be in Sunrise in February. 

5. The Hurricanes beat the Capitals in the Stadium Series Game at Carter-Finley Stadium

Arguably the most highly anticipated game in the history of the franchise, the Hurricanes are finally going to host an outdoor game when the Capitals come to town this February at Carter-Finley Stadium. While I won't speculate on the score or whether we'll see overtime hockey or not, I will keep this one very simple. For as big as a spectacle as this is going to be, the only thing the Canes really need to do is win. Regardless, this will be a moment Canes' fans will never forget. 

6. Burns and Slavin both score 50+ points this season

Tony DeAngelo was the first defenseman in the Hurricanes' history to record 50 points in a season. This season, I think two people are going to join those ranks. With Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin destined to be paired together, I think they'll be lethal on both ends of the ice. Burns has proven he can score in bunches and Slavin is bound to score more than four goals this season, so his point total is guaranteed to improve. 

7. Aho and Svechnikov will be the first duo to score 35+ goals in the same season with the team

Another thing that has never happened, the Hurricanes have never had two forwards score 35 goals in the regular season. Aho has two seasons of 35+ goals, including his team-leading 37 last season, while Svechnikov scored 30 goals for the first time in his career a year ago. Though I anticipate they'll start on different lines, we could see the two come together on the power play to make some magic to make history for the franchise.

8. Seth Jarvis scores 60+ points and finishes Top 5 on the team

After scoring 40 points in his first season, Seth Jarvis is trending in the right direction for most analysts around the league. He'll see a lot of time in the top six this season, meaning he could be the latest to benefit from the abundance of playmakers at the top of this lineup. He'll be going from the first game instead of waiting almost a month to get his chance, so he could get a running start to become the league's breakout player of the year. 

9. The Hurricanes will finish in the Top 2 of the Division, Top 6 in the League in Points

As much as I love how this team is constructed, I struggle to say for sure that they are going to win the division. The New York Rangers are looking to be extremely strong and they have one of the best goalies in the league. I think this team is a virtual lock to make the postseason and I would bet they're going to be at home in the first round. I'm basically just saving my behind by saying that they'll finish in the top two in the Metropolitan this season instead of outright saying they'll win the thing. 

10. The Hurricanes will represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final

While I won't commit to the Canes winning the division, I will commit to the Canes being one of the final two teams standing at the end of the season. After a disappointing end to the season in the second round, this team is going to be angry in April, May, and June. Not only will they avenge their loss to the Rangers, but they're also going to be the Eastern Conference champions and will be playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history.