2026 Hurricanes Off Season Thread
- Thread starter jeffbear
- Start date
The Canes qualified Gunler, Heimosalmi, Neuchev, Primeau, Robidas and Seeley. Nikishin had previously been qualified. Brind’Amour, Fensore, Miftakhov and Quapp weren’t qualified so they’re free agents.
I imagine that SBA will be back on a different contract. But we’re gonna be short a couple of goalies if Miftakhov and Quapp go back to Europe. That leaves Primeau and Khazheyev as the only minor league goalies. And it was Miftakhov who took over in the playoffs when Primeau was injured.
www.nhl.com
I imagine that SBA will be back on a different contract. But we’re gonna be short a couple of goalies if Miftakhov and Quapp go back to Europe. That leaves Primeau and Khazheyev as the only minor league goalies. And it was Miftakhov who took over in the playoffs when Primeau was injured.
Canes Issue Qualifying Offers To Seven | Carolina Hurricanes
Four to become unrestricted free agents
www.nhl.com
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
Maybe I am dreaming and placing an overvalue on KK, but this off season is weirder than most...too much money and cap space everywhere, not enough players to change things up for a ton of teams. I still think there might be a team or two that could find KK useful as a 3C with size that would not mind paying what he is due on that contract. A pick or a prospect for KK would be just fine if your Tulsky.
No real surprises there. The Canes qualified the guys with NHL roster potential and cut bait on Miftakhov after that mess of a season. Fensore and SBA are valuable at the AHL level, so maybe they’re back on cheaper minor league deals.The Canes qualified Gunler, Heimosalmi, Neuchev, Primeau, Robidas and Seeley. Nikishin had previously been qualified. Brind’Amour, Fensore, Miftakhov and Quapp weren’t qualified so they’re free agents.
I imagine that SBA will be back on a different contract. But we’re gonna be short a couple of goalies if Miftakhov and Quapp go back to Europe. That leaves Primeau and Khazheyev as the only minor league goalies. And it was Miftakhov who took over in the playoffs when Primeau was injured.
Canes Issue Qualifying Offers To Seven | Carolina Hurricanes
Four to become unrestricted free agents
As for the goalies, I’d guess they’ll either have another waiver claim backup plan (ala Bussi) to cover for Primeau’s inevitable claim next year or maybe they’ll roll the dice on another Euro guy with experience. They could also try to bring over one of the Russian prospects other than Frolov, who has a high enough profile that he’d be difficult to get until his contract is done. Miftakhov was horrible, but maybe they avoid the KHL and grab somebody from Sweden or somewhere. They were really hoping that Khazheyev would take a leap this season, but the situation was so bad in Greensboro that I’m not sure he learned much other than how better to ice his bruises. Still, he wasn’t terrible in Greensboro behind an awful defense and maybe they want to give him some serious AHL time next season before that contract runs out. Then they can make a call on going forward or not. He’s only 21 and apparently the Canes are very high on his upside once he takes the next step … presuming he takes the next step. Quapp was just a dud. No great loss there, just a swing and a miss.
But yeah, with the newer goalies in the pool either heading to college or sticking around the CHL, they have some depth needs in the short term.
TheBigKahuna
Well-known member
I think Tulsky will find a willing trade partner or two for KK. He's cheap at current prices. It may only be a late round pick, but it's better than buying him out.
He has to be placed on waivers today so that he clears by tomorrow for the buyout. So if he’s not waived…
TheBigKahuna
Well-known member
The Canes said they're not buying him out. According to Dreger or Elliot, one of those guys.
Yeah, that report was on the last page I think. Remember, those reports generally come from agents … and at this point Carolina is 100% not wanting teams to think they can wait to get him for nothing, if there’s an actual market. And it sounds like there is. If it gets to the buyout deadline tomorrow and they don’t have a deal, it wouldn’t shock me if they buy him out. Or not. Not much shocks me these days.
Speaking of “reports” … LeBrun included Carlson in his update today about pending free agents who can sign at any time. It was an absolute textbook example of saying nothing in two paragraphs. Turns out they might sign him. Or maybe not. They might get a deal for two years or even longer … or not.
Yeah, that was the info on draft day. Jovanovsky could still end up in college, but looks more likely to be sticking around the OHL.
If they don’t waive him today, they can’t buy him out tomorrow and they lose the advantage of the 1/3 buyout cost. IIRC, the Canes would only get a 2nd buyout window if someone goes to arbitration, correct?
That’s correct … I think. There were some minor changes to this stuff in the CBA.
At this point, I don’t really care. He’s either going to be bought out or he’s not but he’s not going to have a job here next season either way. The rest is just details.