Last season, the Carolina Hurricanes were very fortunate in that they had very little turnover on the backend and in goal.
They replaced just one part, grabbing Dmitry Orlov to fill a third pairing defenseman slot, and the rest was already set with a few extensions signed.
However, this year will be a bit different.
The loss of both Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei to free agency are big blows and the Canes unceremoniously said goodbye to Antti Rannta whose contract quietly expired in the AHL.
But overall, Carolina still has a solid foundation which they can lean.
So without further adieu, here's how I think the Hurricanes will fill out on opening night:
Be sure to also check out our piece on the projected starting forward lineup if you missed it.
Defense
First Pair:
Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burns
It's really not a crazy prediction to say that Carolina will more than likely turn to its most common pairing from the last two seasons on opening night.
Rod Brind'Amour is a coach that, while is apt to blend his forward lines a bit, really likes to keep his defensive pairs together.
There's a lot to be said about the chemistry that blueliners can build together and I really wouldn't expect too drastic of a change without injuries or someone playing way above or below expectations.
Jaccob Slavin is one of the league's all-time best defensive defensemen and Brent Burns, despite nearing 40, is still a very good blueliner.
The pair were second in the league in terms of Corsi For (60.6%) — the measurement of amount of shot attempts for and against while a player(s) is on the ice — and seventh in the league in expected goals for (57%).
The only real question though is if Burns will start to slow down. There was a slight dip with his overall game last season and while he was still a good and effective player, it begs the question of how many minutes a night can he handle while still being effective come April?
Second Pair:
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
It's no easy task to replace a pairing that was as good as Pesce and Skjei were.
The two were pure minute munchers for Carolina who generally got the hardest defensive assignments and still managed to stay on the positive side of most every advanced metric.
However, it's safe to say that Dmitry Orlov and Jalen Chatfield were a pairing that really grew as the season went on, so I believe it's a safe bet to see them take on that mantle.
The pair were first in the regular season in Corsi For (61.3% and third in expected gols for (59.4%) and in last year's postseason, the two led the team in even strength minutes with Pesce sidelined with injury.
There will probably still be times of growing pains, but I think with Orlov having more experience in Carolina's system and with Chatfield's exponential growth, the two can thrive with more minutes.
Third Pair:
Shayne Gostisbehere - Sean Walker
I have the two newcomers starting the year together more so because I think Brind'Amour likes to keep his than anything else.
Shayne Gostisbehere, 31, is coming off of one of the best offensive season of his career, having had 10 goals and 56 points last season with the Detroit Red Wings.
However, while the Wings were strong offensively, they're a team that struggled hard defensively and Gostisbehere was no exception having had a negative Corsi For (49.02%), expected goals for (47.26%) and actual goals for (47.19%).
But that's Detroit. Carolina is a whole different thing.
Also, when Gostisbehere was traded to Carolina in 2023, he had really strong Corsi numbers on a pairing with Chatfield.
So I think it's safe to assume his numbers will bounce back.
And he'll have a good partner to get those better results with in Sean Walker.
Walker, 29, had a breakout year last season with the Philadelphia Flyers which wound up in him getting traded to the Colorado Avalanche at the deadline.
He provides a bit of scoring, having had 10 goals and 29 points last season, but he's a really exceptional puck mover and can really drive offense from the backend.
While the two might be more offensively geared, that could work well as a third pairing, or maybe Brind'Amour decides to have a fresh set of pairings later down the line, but I feel like this is the most likely way it starts.
Extras:
Scott Morrow, Ty Smith, Riley Stillman
I think that while Scott Morrow has a lot of upside, playing big minutes in the AHL will do more for his development than being a seventh defenseman or getting sheltered minutes.
He'll have the chance to be "the guy" in Chicago and also to run the top power play. Give him a year or two and he should be ready for a big role in Carolina.
Ty Smith, 24, was a first-round pick, going 17th overall to the New Jersey Devils in 2018.
He had a strong showing in his debut season, but after that was just okay before essentially getting relegated to the AHL the last two seasons.
Perhaps he can find his game again given some time with the Canes organization.
Riley Stillman, 26, son of Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup Champion Cory Stillman has been a depth seventh defenseman/AHLer for a multitude of teams now and that's probably what he'll be for Carolina too.
Has some NHL experience and could be a callup option if need be.
Goalies
Starter/1A:
Frederik Andersen
1B:
Pyotr Kochetkov
Now, I know this take is going to ruffle a few feathers especially given the way that the postseason ended for Carolina, but I still believe the coaching staff views Frederik Andersen as their go-to guy.
However, I also believe that we're more than likely to see a true 50/50 start split this season.
After Andersen returned from his blood-clotting issue, he and Kochetkov alternated games all the way to the playoffs and both performed very well in that pattern.
With the way the Canes have suffered goaltender injuries, I think they'll be more cautious than anyone else to make sure their guys are well rested and not being overexerted, but I do believe that if they had to choose a guy, that pick would be Andersen at this point.
Obviously things can change as the season progresses, but that's the feel I get.
Extras: Spencer Martin
Spencer Martin was perfect for what the Canes needed from him last season.
With Andersen being sidelined on top of Antti Raanta having his game completely bottom out, the Hurricanes just needed someone to give Kochetkov some relief.
Martin did a great job in the games he got and I see him being able to fit that same as-needed/relief role if he isn't claimed off of waivers at the start of the year as every team gets cap and roster compliant before opening night.
Recent Articles