Carolina Hurricanes
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Carolina Hurricanes, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: None
Key Departures: Freddie Andersen
Overview
The 2025–26 Carolina Hurricanes delivered one of the most dominant seasons in franchise history, finishing 53‑22‑7, winning the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, and ultimately the Stanley Cup. Their 113‑point campaign marked their fourth division title in six seasons and their eighth straight playoff berth. The Hurricanes postseason run was historic: Carolina became the first team since the 1984–85 Oilers to start the playoffs 8–0, sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia, then beating Montreal in five games before defeating Vegas in six to claim their second Stanley Cup in franchise history (first Cup win was 2006).
Offense
The Hurricanes’ 291 goals were second only to the Colorado Avalanche’s 298 goals scored last season. The Canes will be without last season’s leading goal scorer Seth Jarvis (32) to start the season, and he could be out until December following off season shoulder surgery. Even without Jarvis, Carolina boasts one of the strongest forward groups in the NHL, with six other players cracking the 20-goal mark last season, including second-line center Logan Stankoven (21 goals, 44 points). Stankoven, the key piece in the deal that sent Mikko Rantanen to Dallas, led the Canes with 11 goals in last season’s Stanley Cup run to go along with his five assists, giving Carolina a solid one-two punch down the middle to go along with Sebastian Aho.
Defense
The Hurricanes’ 2026–27 blueline projects as a deep, mobile, defense-first group, led by Jacob Slavin, and fits the Canes’ pressure-oriented system very well. However, it is not completely risk-free, and while Carolina gave up the fewest shots per game (23.9) last season, many of the opposition’s chances fell into the high danger category. Slavin is by far the Canes best defenseman. He anchors the top pair and is their best penalty killer. He is expected to be paired with Jalen Chatfield and the jury is still out if Chatfield can log the heavy minutes against the opposition’s best players. K’Andre Miller and Sean Walker make up the second pairing. Shayne Gostisbehere anchors the third pair and who he is paired with, remains in question. 24-year-old Alexander Nikishin (restricted free agent) is still unsigned and has reportedly asked for a trade. The Hurricanes have since announced he will not be attending training camp.
Goaltending
For the first time in six seasons, the Hurricanes will not have Freddie Andersen as part of their goaltending tandem. Anderson, an unrestricted free agent, was not offered a new contract and signed a free agent deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Brandon Bussi (31-6-2, 2.47 GAA), who was claimed on waivers from Florida last season and earned 31 of Carolina’s 53 wins in the regular season and later took over from Andersen in the 3rd period of Game 3 of the Cup Final will be paired with the often injured, Pyotr Kochetkov, limited to just nine games last season due to injury. Bussi was outstanding in the Cup Final starting the final three games of the series versus Vegas and finished with a 1.60 goals against average and .931 save percentage.
Player to Watch
It was quite the season for Brandon Bussi, who went from being claimed off waivers to leading all Carolina goalies in regular-season wins and then taking over from an injured Freddie Andersen in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and then earning his first three career playoff wins, all in the Cup Final. Bussi earned himself a three-year contract and enters the season with high expectations as the Hurricanes’ number one goalie. If he can avoid the sophomore slump, Carolina will remain in good shape to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.
Outlook
Congrats to the NHL schedule makers who not only give us Carolina and Florida on opening day of the regular season but also were thoughtful enough to have the two teams meet on the final day of the regular season. The Hurricanes open with eight of their first twelve games on the road, which could make them a good team to bet against or a team with some good value to bet on, depending on which side of the ledger you are on. When it comes to future bets, I played Carolina and Washington to finish one-two in the Metropolitan Division. I have Carolina finishing first and the Capitals finishing second at (+330). A Capitals first-place finish and the Hurricanes finishing second pays (+800).
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 107.5 (Over -125, Under -105)
To Make the Playoffs: (-1100)
Miss the Playoffs: (+700)
To Win the Division: (+100)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+300)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+650)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 53-22-7, 113 points (1st Metropolitan Division, 1st Eastern Conference)
Over/Under: 42-40
Home Favorite: 30-11 // Home Dog: 0-0
Road Favorite: 18-12 // Road Dog: 4-4
Win Score 4 or more: 41of 53 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 25 of 35
Puck Line Wins: 35 of 47 // Puck Line Losses: 21 of 29
Front End Back-to-Back: 9-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 7-8
Points Leader: Sebastian Aho – 80
Goal Leader: Seth Jarvis – 32
Teams First Goal Leader: Nikolaj Ehlers – 13, Andrei Svechnikov – 12
Assist Leader: Sebastian Aho – 53
Shots on Goal Leader: Seth Jarvis – 224
Blocked Shot Leader: Sean Walker – 125
Depth Chart
Forwards
Nikolaj Ehlers / Sebastian Aho / Andrei Svechnikov
Taylor Hall/ Logan Stankoven / Jackson Blake
Eric Robinson / Jordan Staal / Jordan Martinook
Nicolas Deslauriers / Mark Jankowski / William Carrier
Defense
Jaccob Slavin / Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller / Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere / Mike Reilly
Goalies
Brandon Bussi / Pyotr Kochetkov
