Ad
Carolina Hurricanes News
Andersen will start Carolina's season opener vs. New Jersey on Thursday.

The Hurricanes likely entered the season with the intention of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov splitting time between the pipes, but with Kochetkov battling an undisclosed injury, Andersen gets the easy call for their season-opening matchup against the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Andersen has battled injuries recently and was limited to only 22 appearances last season (13-8-1), posting a 2.50 GAA and .899 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Devils team that finished the 2024-25 season mid-pack offensively, averaging 2.95 goals per game.

Frederik Andersen
Kochetkov (undisclosed) will be out for Carolina's season opener as he continues to be evaluated.

Kochetkov was absent from practice the past few days and will not suit up for Thursday's season opener against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Kochetkov posted a 2.60 GAA and .897 SV% in 47 appearances last season (27-16-3). Hurricanes' head coach Rod Brind'Amour stated that Kochetkov aggravated something in practice and "hasn't been getting better." If Kochetkov is unable to play, expect Frederik Andersen to be between the pipes.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Andersen is in the starter's crease at Carolina's morning skate.

The Hurricanes likely entered the season with the intention of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov splitting time between the pipes, but with Kochetkov battling an undisclosed injury, Andersen gets the easy call for their season-opening matchup against the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Andersen has battled injuries recently and was limited to only 22 appearances last season (13-8-1), posting a 2.50 GAA and .899 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Devils team that finished the 2024-25 season mid-pack offensively, averaging 2.95 goals per game.

Frederik Andersen
Kochetkov's status is uncertain after he missed practice on Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury.

Kochetkov was absent from practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday's season opener against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Kochetkov posted a 2.60 GAA and .897 SV% in 47 appearances last season (27-16-3). If Kochetkov is unable to play, expect Frederik Andersen to be between the pipes.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Chatfield (undisclosed) missed practice on Monday and is hopeful to return by Wednesday.

Chatfield was absent from practice on Monday due to an undisclosed injury but will likely be ready for Carolina's season opener on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Chatfield was effective in a shutdown role for the Hurricanes last season, averaging 18:53 time-on-ice and recording 18 points (7G / 11A).

Jalen Chatfield
Kotkaniemi (upper-body) has been cleared for contact and returned to practice on Monday.

Kotkaniemi was cleared for contact and returned to team practice on Monday, but it's unclear if he will be ready for Carolina's season opener on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, scored 33 points (12G / 21A) in 78 games last season.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Kotkaniemi (upper-body) returned to practice in a no-contract sweater on Friday.

Kotkaniemi is inching closer to a return but still has not been cleared for contact. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, scored 33 points (12G / 21A) in 78 games last season. It's unclear when he will return to full-contact drills at practice.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Slavin (undisclosed) is expected to miss the first few days of training camp.

Slavin was absent as the Hurricanes opened camp on Thursday, with head coach Rod Brind’Amour explaining that Slavin felt some soreness after his summer training. “Until he says he’s 100%, we’re not going to put him out there,” Brind’Amour said. The team does not appear concerned about his availability for the season opener on October 9th.

Jaccob Slavin
Carolina has signed Ivan Ryabkin to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Ryabkin was Carolina's 2025 2nd round pick (62nd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on Wednesday. The 18-year-old Russian forward impressed in his first season in North America with Muskegon (USHL) in 2024-25, putting up 19 goals, 30 points and 70 PIMs in 27 games played.

Ivan Ryabkin
Carolina has signed Jackson Blake to an eight-year extension worth $5.625 AAV ($45M total).

Blake still has a season left in his Entry Level Contract, but has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $5.625 AAV ($45M total) due to the new CBA rules that limit contracts to seven years starting in September. Blake had a standout rookie season in 2024-25, finishing ninth in Calder Trophy voting after putting up 17 goals, 34 points and a +10 plus/minus in 80 games played.

Jackson Blake
Carolina has signed Ryan Suzuki to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

After making his NHL debut in 2024-25 with Carolina, Ryan Suzuki has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes to come back to Chicago (AHL) for a sixth season. The 24-year-old was Carolina's 2019 1st round pick (28th overall) and he had 12 goals and 59 points in 69 games with Chicago last season. He is expected to return to the Wolves for the start of the 2025-26 season but will provide Carolina with depth throughout the year.

Ryan Suzuki
Carolina has signed Ronan Seeley to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

Carolina will bring Ronan Seeley back for a fourth season in the organization after the 22-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract extension. The stay-at-home defensemen enjoyed a strong season in 2024-25 with Chicago (AHL), picking up three goals, 10 points and a -6 plus/minus in 69 games played. He is expected to spend 2025-26 back in Chicago.

Ronan Seeley
Carolina has signed Domenick Fensore to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

After a short two-game showing with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25, Domenick Fensore has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract to remain a Hurricane for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman took a step forward in 2024-25 with Chicago (AHL), putting up nine goals and 32 points alongside his 39 PIMs in 67 total games played. He is expected to start 2025-26 in Chicago but will provide Carolina with some much-needed defensive depth.

Domenick Fensore
Carolina has signed Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract worth $8.5 million AAV ($51M total).

The biggest free agent target is off the board after Carolina agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) with Nikolaj Ehlers on Thursday. The 29-year-old star winger leaves Winnipeg after 10 up-and-down seasons and a 24-goal, 63-point campaign in 2024-25. He is expected to take a top-six and top power-play role in Carolina.

Nikolaj Ehlers
The Rangers signed K'Andre Miller to an eight-year deal worth $7.5M AAV ($60.0M total) before trading him to the Hurricanes.

Miller has been rumoured in trades since last season, finally materializing in a deal sending him to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Scott Morrow, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick. He was immediately signed to a massive seven-year contract worth $7.5 million AAV. The 25-year-old Miller will likely step into a larger role on Carolina's blueline after the expected departure of Brent Burns. He spent his first five seasons with the New York Rangers, recording 132 points (36G / 96A), 504 blocks, and 661 hits in 368 career games.

K'Andre Miller