With the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the Carolina Hurricanes are preparing for a potentially active offseason. The team has over $28 million in cap space, the highest among teams that reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This financial flexibility positions them well to strengthen their roster.
General Manager Eric Tulsky and his team have significant tasks ahead as they address contracts for eight restricted free agents (RFAs) and 12 unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Players who played at least one game for the Hurricanes during the past season and are RFAs include Skyler Brind’Amour, Domenick Fensore, Yaniv Perets, Ty Smith, and Ryan Suzuki. Additionally, Noel Gunler, Anttoni Honka, and Ronan Seeley are RFAs despite not playing last season.
To retain an RFA’s status, teams must issue a Qualifying Offer by either June 25 or the Monday following the Entry Draft. These offers cannot be accepted before July 1 and expire on July 15 unless extended. Group 2 RFAs must sign by December 1 to ensure contract validity for the upcoming season.
The list of UFAs includes Brent Burns, Juha Jaaska, Tyson Jost, Spencer Martin, Dmitry Orlov, Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic, Riley Stillman, and Dustin Tokarski—all of whom played during last season. Tarmo Reunanen, Joakim Ryan, and Jesper Sellgren are also UFAs but did not appear in any games with the Hurricanes last year. The team holds exclusive negotiating rights with these players until July 1 unless they are traded.
