Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes announced the signing of former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner on Friday. The 29-year-old's four-year contract carries an average annual value of $4.05 million.

Drafted 17th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, Gardiner went to the Maple Leafs via a February 9, 2011, trade before he made the NHL leap.

Gardiner received a promotion before the 2011-12 season and has played his entire eight-year NHL career in Toronto.

Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic provided the following scouting report:

"Gardiner is a modern NHL defenseman, one who makes his due by moving the puck up ice and he's one of the league's strongest in that regard. He's also one of the league's best playmakers on the back end and was a key part of what drove Toronto's elite offense. Very few defenders drive play at both ends of the ice as well as Gardiner does and his presence could be a huge addition to any team's top four. Gardiner isn't a No. 1 defenseman but could be a strong complement for years to come. He should have top pair value for roughly the next five years."

He also wrote that Gardiner was "easily" the best free-agent defenseman available after the San Jose Sharks re-signed Erik Karlsson.

The Maple Leafs felt Gardiner's loss when he suffered a back injury that kept him out for an 18-game stretch from late February to early April. Toronto went 46-28-8 on the season but only 8-7-3 without him during that span.

The ex-Leaf blueliner posted three goals, 27 assists and a plus-19 last season.

Losing Gardiner only adds to the list of defensive questions Toronto must answer; the Maple Leafs allowed 251 goals last season, more than all but one playoff team.

As for the Canes, Gardiner should be a big piece of the puzzle in the team's quest to improve upon its 2018-19 postseason appearance, which included a first-round upset win over the Washington Capitals.

The Canes allowed the sixth-fewest goals in the league, and Gardiner can help to improve that ranking even further under second-year head coach Rod Brind'Amour.

Sebastian Aho isn't going anywhere.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday that they matched the five-year, $42.3 million offer sheet Aho signed with the Montreal Canadiens. 

Team president and general manager Don Waddell spoke about the move:

"This was an easy decision. Sebastian is one of the best players in the league and the centerpiece of what we're building here. We've spoken to him throughout this process and he's made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and be a part of this organization.

"It's our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency. There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup."

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic broke down the details on Aho's new deal:

Breakdown of Aho offer sheet: $11.3M SB plus 700k salary in Year 1; $9.87M SB plus 700k salary in Year 2; $6.95 SB plus 750k salary in Year 3; $5.25 SB plus $750k in each of Year 4 and Year 5

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2019

Aho, 21, is one of the NHL's emergent stars. He scored 30 goals and added 53 assists in 2018-19 and has improved in each of his three campaigns, going from 49 points as a rookie to 65 points in 2017-18 and 83 points last season. 

That made Aho an intriguing target, and the Canadiens made the rare move of extending the restricted free agent an offer sheet. As LeBrun noted, the offer sheet was the NHL's first in six-and-a-half years and came with a mixed response around the league.

"It is within the rules," Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told him. "The Montreal Canadiens are doing what they believe is in their best interests, and now the Carolina Hurricanes are going to do what they believe is in their best interest."

Another league executive was less keen on Montreal's decision.

"The offer sheet is an available way to add a player. But it only makes sense if you are likely to get the player. This one, like the Ryan O'Reilly one [in 2013], was ill-conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and make the job of managers harder going forward, including his own."

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon added:

"I'm not angry. I'm just surprised that any team thought this had any chance of working. I guess the Carolina Hurricanes are still misunderstood if anyone anywhere thought this would be hard for us. I'm not upset with Sebastian, I am actually relieved to have this done. We all understand the players should do what they can to get their best contract. But this was never going to work for Montreal."

The Hurricanes will seek to return to the postseason after their run to the Eastern Conference Final, and getting Aho back makes Carolina a real threat.

Sometimes athletes struggle to explain their disappointment in words after a bad game. Carolina Hurricanes captain Justin Williams figured out one way, but it comes with a disgusting visual.

Williams summed up his team's effort after a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.

"You spend all this time leading up, with everyone writing articles about how great we are," he said Sunday, per Emily Kaplan of ESPN.com. "You come out, and sometimes you gotta eat a poop sandwich. It doesn't taste good. You have to chew on it for a couple days, we'll have to do it for a couple days, and hopefully get the taste out next game."

The Hurricanes entered this round coming off a sweep of the New York Islanders but have been humbled so far this series with two losses by a combined 11-4 margin.

The squad will now have to clear its palate (hopefully metaphorically) before Game 3 on Tuesday.

The Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and defensive prospect Adam Fox from the Calgary Flames on Saturday in exchange for center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin, according to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com.

Both Lindholm and Hanifin are restricted free agents.

As Wyshynski noted, "The issues with Hamilton, for Calgary, however, [are] his $5.75 million cap hit through 2021 and a modified no-trade clause that kicks in after the upcoming season." Those made him untenable to keep despite his solid 2017-18 campaign.

According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the two teams "have had these discussions, on and off, for a few weeks," and the Flames "from the get-go were always trying to get both Hanifin and Lindholm."

Hamilton, 25, averaged 21:32 of ice time per game last season, tallying 17 goals and 27 assists. Left winger Ferland, 26, posted 21 goals and 20 assists.

As for Fox, he's "considered a blue-chip defenseman but also a flight risk, as he's committed to playing a third year with Harvard and could become a free agent if he plays another season beyond that," per Wyshynski.

The Flames will be getting promising players in the 23-year-old Lindholm (16 goals and 28 assists last season) and the 21-year-old Hanifin (10 goals, 22 assists, 18:52 average ice time). 

Wyshynski and Bob McKenzie of TSN provided more context on the trade: 

Flames/Canes trade hinges on two things for me:

- Lindholm making the leap while (presumably) getting a shot with the Flames' big guns.
- Fox deciding to sign with Carolina, and being as good as advertised. Because the Canes could end up with 2 top four D out of this by 2020.

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2018

Lindholm and Hanifin are both RFA but don’t anticipate any issues signing them. CGY views Lindholm more as a winger than a C but he can play both. Will play in top six and could play alongside Monahan and Gaudreau.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2018

Not guaranteed by any means, but Dougie Hamilton’s arrival in CAR could enhance the chances of Justin Faulk being traded. BTW, Faulk’s NTC kicks in July 1.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2018

For a Flames team that has talent but underachieved after reaching the postseason in 2016-17 and missing the playoffs last year, the hope will be that Hanifin and Lindholm provide an immediate jolt of quality. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, could end up with the best player out of this trade if Fox joins the team and lives up to his significant upside.

Russian winger Andrei Svechnikov parlayed a remarkable rookie season in the OHL into becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes in Dallas on Friday.

With the second pick in the 2018 #NHLDraft, the #Canes select Andrei Svechnikov! pic.twitter.com/dHpWWmRHv7

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 22, 2018

Hugs and happiness for Rasmus Dahlin and his family. #NHLDraft https://t.co/f7Q8xXYI5w

— NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2018

Twitter was ablaze with reaction after Svechnikov came off the board:

2nd overall: Andrei Svechnikov to the @NHLCanes

@ASvechnikov14 is the reigning OHL Rookie of the Year. He averaged 1.64 points per game in 2017-18, placing first among rookies and fifth overall. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/LNsCslbWLu

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 22, 2018

#NHLCanes take Andrei Svechnikov, elite scoring touch.

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) June 22, 2018

In a pick that surprises absolutely nobody, Hurricanes select Andrei Svechnikov at No. 2
Consensus No. 2

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) June 22, 2018

Svechnikov entered the conversation as a potential top pick in 2017-18 when he took the OHL by storm in his debut season with the Barrie Colts.

In just 44 regular-season games, Svechnikov scored 40 times and added 32 assists for 72 points. He also had a plus-26 rating, and his 67 penalty minutes suggest he isn't afraid to get physical either.

Svechnikov showed he could produce on the big stage as well with five goals and six assists in eight playoff contests.

The 6'2", 186-pound forward made significant strides last season after putting up 29 goals and 29 assists in 48 games for the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2016-17.

Additionally, Svechnikov has been a stud against the world's best players in international competition in recent years.

He recorded eight points in four games at the 2016 U17 World Championships and nine points in seven games at the 2017 U18 World Championships. Russia won bronze in each of those tournaments.

Although Russia struggled as a team at the 2018 World Junior Championships, Svechnikov was a bright spot with five assists in five games.

Although defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was widely considered the best all-around prospect entering the draft, Svechnikov received his fair share of hype as well.

According to NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale, Karl Stewart of NHL Central Scouting said in February that Svechnikov was already skilled and prepared enough to play in the NHL:

"I think if there's one (Canadian Hockey League) player right now who can step into an NHL lineup it would probably be [Svechnikov]. He's big and his shot is so powerful. He just drops the shoulder and turns it on; you can't stop him. His shot bides him so much time and space that defenders have to play up on him, but he has the skill to dance around you. He's a magician on the half-wall on the power play."

While Svechnikov isn't a lock to play in the NHL in 2018-19, there isn't much left for him to prove in the OHL.

Provided his skill set translates quickly, Svechnikov has a good chance to reach the NHL and be a Rookie of the Year candidate next season.

The Hurricanes had some great fortune in the draft lottery to nab the No. 2 overall pick, and Svechnikov figures to land in a beneficial situation in Carolina.

Although the 'Canes are in the midst of the longest playoff drought in the NHL, Svechnikov will join a team that has no shortage of offensive talent with Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal leading the way.

Carolina is still in need of a true superstar to anchor the forward group, and Svechnikov may prove to be the missing piece.

Rod Brind'Amour has been named the next head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in an announcement from the team on Tuesday.

Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said in the team release:

"Rod is the greatest leader in the history of this franchise, and has earned the opportunity to take charge of our locker room. We spoke to a number of candidates for this position, but our conversations with staff and players consistently returned to the same person. Rod's fresh ideas, ability to motivate and understanding of what it takes to bring a championship to Raleigh will help our young team take the next step toward competing to bring the Cup back to North Carolina."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the deal.

Bill Peters resigned as Carolina's head coach last month after failing to reach the playoffs in five seasons. He was later hired to be the Calgary Flames head coach.

Brind'Amour spent the final 10 seasons of his playing career from 1999-2000 through 2009-10 with the Hurricanes.

The 47-year-old has been a Hurricanes assistant coach and development coach since 2011, but he has no experience as a head coach.

In 20 NHL seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Hurricanes, Brind'Amour appeared in 1,484 regular-season games and registered 452 goals and 732 assists for 1,184 points.

He also racked up 111 points in 159 playoff games and won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.

As a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, Brind'Amour is considered one of the premier two-way forwards of his era.

Brind'Amour will inherit a difficult situation in Carolina, which hasn't reached the playoffs since 2008-09 in the NHL's longest current streak. 

Carolina finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with 83 points this season, but it boasts some burgeoning, young talent in the form of forwards Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen as well as defenseman Noah Hanifin.

Bill Peters resigned as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday after four seasons at the helm, the team announced .

Peters led the Hurricanes to a 137-138-53 record during his time in charge. Carolina went 36-35-11 in 2017-18 and missed the playoffs by 14 points.

The Team Canada head coach for the 2018 IIHF World Championship said the following regarding his decision to step down:

"I want to thank [owner] Tom Dundon, [CEO] Peter Karmanos and [President of Hockey Operations] Ron Francis for the trust they put in me to lead the team. I feel the incoming general manager should have the ability to hire his own head coach. I also want to thank [Gale Force Sports & Entertainment President] Don Waddell and the entire front office and PNC Arena staff. This business requires hard work and long hours, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of the many people I have worked alongside during the past four years.

"We enjoyed our time in Raleigh, and my family will always feel a connection to North Carolina. I feel like this is a good time to move on, and I am looking forward to my next challenge."

The Hurricanes have gone nine seasons without making the playoffs, which is the NHL's longest active drought.

Carolina provided Peters with his first NHL head-coaching job after he served as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings for three seasons.

The 53-year-old Peters previously coached the WHL's Spokane Chiefs and AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

This is Carolina's fifth coaching change since relocating from Hartford, Connecticut, in 1997. Its next head coach will be its fourth since the start of the 2011-12 season.

The Carolina Hurricanes' future has reportedly been secured after an agreement was reached for former Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg to buy the hockey franchise.

Per Jeff Gravley of WRAL-TV, the Hurricanes signed a letter of intent to be sold to Greenberg that ensures they will remain in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Hurricanes would release a statement that didn't confirm the deal was official, via Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca: "Since an offer has been made to purchase the team, Mr. Karmanos intends to evaluate that offer and also will continue to evaluate his other options, including retaining his ownership of the team."

Bloomberg's Scott Soshnick reported Greenberg paid approximately $500 million to buy the Hurricanes from Peter Karmanos Jr.

Karmanos told TSN's Pierre LeBrun in January he was "open to the possibility of selling the entire team" if the right offer came along.

During the All-Star break that month, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters the Hurricanes were "not moving" despite the presence of an NHL-ready arena in Quebec City.

The Hurricanes have been in Carolina the past 20 years after relocating from Hartford in 1997.

Greenberg was part of a group that won the auction bidding to purchase the Rangers in 2010. He stepped down as the team's managing partner and CEO in March 2011.

Justin Williams' tenure in the nation's capital is over after two seasons. The veteran forward agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, according to Chris Johnston of NHL Network. 

Williams appeared in 80 games for the Washington Capitals in 2016-17. He scored 24 goals and assisted on 24 more, and his 48 points were sixth-highest on the team.

Despite the fact Williams will turn 36 in October, he was bound to attract a lot of attention on the free-agent market. He has 20-plus assists in each of the last seven seasons and boasts a wealth of playoff experience.

Williams has played on three teams that won the Stanley Cup, and the Los Angeles Kings' title triumph in 2014 helped establish him as a clutch performer. Williams registered 25 points in 26 games. He scored the overtime winner in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and the first goal in Game 5, which helped Los Angeles clinch the series.

Williams earned his only piece of individual NHL hardware in the 2014 postseason, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob6K0q8Tf2w

"There's a level of competitiveness that I think some people are able to bring themselves to—and there are some guys that can just bring it higher," former teammate T.J. Oshie said of Williams, per the Washington Post's Dan Steinberg. "He's one of those guys. He's one of those guys that when everyone gets tense and everyone grabs their sticks a little tight, he gets more focused and finds ways to pull off the big play."

Far too often players are praised or criticized based on their playoff performance alone. Still, there's something to be said for Williams' postseason record.

Playoff games undoubtedly have a different atmosphere and place more pressure on players. That Williams plays so consistently well in his team's biggest games is no coincidence.

Williams is a great addition for the Hurricanes. He'll add depth to the forward line, and his presence should provide a nice boost in the locker room.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Monday morning that center Derek Ryan has agreed to a one-year, $1.425 million contract, which will keep him with the club for a third season.

"Derek proved he belonged in the NHL last season," Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "He brings skill and versatility to our lineup and sets an example for our younger players with his character and determination off the ice."

Ryan, 30, had 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 2016-17. It was his first full season with the Hurricanes after spending more than a decade in the minors and playing overseas.

Ryan was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey" at the 2017 NHL Awards. The award went to Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson.

"I feel a little out of place," Ryan said of being at the NHL Awards, per Lisa Dillman of NHL.com. "A couple of years ago, I was battling my way through the European leagues, and all of a sudden here I am at the NHL Awards and just kind of taking it all in."

Ryan will likely continue to serve as Carolina's third-line center. He averaged nearly 15 minutes of ice time per game, so that's a reasonable expectation of what to look for next season.