With the departure of Brent Burns in the offseason, the Carolina Hurricanes will now be looking for a new option to quarterback the second power play unit this upcoming season. It can be comfortably assumed that Shayne Gostisbehere will continue to run the top power play unit, which got back to looking dangerous as it converted nine times in the postseason despite a tough regular season stretch. But who are the top options for PP2? Who Will Quarterback PP2 For Carolina Next Season? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEAN WALKER As one of the few right-handed options on Carolina's blueline, Walker has a good chance to get a crack on PP2, especially considering he was occasionally part of it throughout the season. Walker averaged 0:35 per game of power play time in the regular season (0:40 per game in the postseason), but had zero points in that stretch. However, it really did seem like his game was going to another level as the playoffs went on before his injury. If he can continue playing at the level he did then, I'm sure he can produce a bit more on the power play. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALEXANDER NIKISHIN One of the biggest question marks heading into this season will be just how the Hurricanes choose to deploy Nikishin in his first full NHL season. The Russian defenseman still has a lot to learn about playing in North America, but he was one of the very best players in the KHL, and that included being a top power play quarterback with SKA St. Petersburg. Nikishin has a booming one-timer and tremendous vision. He has all the tools to be a successful power play option, but it all depends on how much trust the Canes want to put into him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K'ANDRE MILLER Miller was a tertiary power play option for the New York Rangers this past season behind Adam Fox and Zac Jones, averaging only 0:47 of power play time per game last season. Miller also only has eight power play points total in 368 regular season games, so it doesn't seem like he'd be a very likely option, but has has had solid 5v5 production throughout his career. Perhaps Carolina would want to give Miller more of a chance to prove himself though with that new long-term deal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIKE REILLY As a more offensive-minded defenseman, Reilly has had some pretty decent power play numbers throughout his career. Over the past two seasons, Reilly averaged 1:44 of power play time per game and had five assists in 77 games. He's unlikely to crack the opening lineup in the first place, but he'd certainly be an option as an injury callup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECENT STORIES • 'I'm Very Excited About The Team In Carolina': Nikolaj Ehlers On Signing In Carolina [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/i-m-very-excited-about-the-team-in-carolina-nikolaj-ehlers-eric-tulsky-on-signing-in-carolina] • Hurricanes Target Positional Depth In Opening Days of Free Agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/hurricanes-target-positional-depth-in-opening-days-of-free-agency] • Where Have Last Year's Carolina Hurricanes Ended Up? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/where-have-last-year-s-carolina-hurricanes-ended-up] • Carolina Takes Big Swing On Talented New York Blueliner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/carolina-takes-big-swing-on-talented-new-york-blueliner] • 'Our Goal Is To Keep Getting Better And Raising The Bar': Eric Tulsky On Opening Day Of Free Agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/our-goal-is-to-keep-getting-better-and-raising-the-bar-eric-tulsky-on-opening-day-of-free-agency] • 'The Last Two Years, It Wasn't Easy For Me Mentally': Dmitry Orlov Voices Potential Displeasures With Carolina After Signing In San Jose [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/the-last-two-years-it-wasn-t-easy-for-me-mentally-dmitry-orlov-voices-potential-displeasures-with-carolina-after-signing-in-san-jose] • Carolina Hurricanes Release 2025-26 Schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/carolina-hurricanes-release-2025-26-schedule] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwmeDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
