3 Free Agent Targets for the Carolina Hurricanes

One day away from free agency opening, the Carolina Hurricanes have $11.105 million in cap space. They currently have their entire forward group signed through next season, along with five defensemen and two goalies. That said, there are not many open spots for the defending Stanley Cup champions, as they could possibly run it back in 2026-27. However, are there players, whether they’re unrestricted free agents (UFAs) or restricted free agents (RFAs), who could fit into the lineup next season?

Alexander Nikishin – Restricted Free Agent

The first option makes the most sense as Hurricanes Stanley Cup champion Alexander Nikishin is an RFA heading into July 1. The 24-year-old defenseman had 33 points during the 2025-26 regular season and came away with a championship in his rookie season while also being named to the NHL All-Rookie team. John Buccigross, while on Frankly Hockey on June 26, mentioned how Nikishin and his camp could be asking for a huge number, “sounds like $8-ish (million).

While Nikishin had a solid rookie season in the NHL, asking for $8 million a season is a tad high for a one-season sample size. That is not to disparage him, but to get paid more than K’Andre Miller ($7.5 million annual average value – AAV) and Jaccob Slavin ($6.396 million AAV) doesn’t make the most sense. While teams can still give eight-year deals until Sept. 15 before the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) kicks in, Nikishin isn’t quite in that area yet.

Nikishin could make $8 million a season one day, but there needs to be more of a consistent sample size to garner that type of deal. A short-term bridge deal of two to three years at $5 million to $6 million makes more sense. AFP Analytics projects Nikishin to make a $3.715 million AAV on a two-year contract compared to a $6.44 million AAV on a six-year deal. That could mean a deal could be taking up 3.57% of the cap space or 6.19%.

General manager Eric Tulsky, when asked about Nikishin’s future, stated “he was a big piece of our team this past year, and may be a big piece going forward. Naturally, the one (player) who is not under contract is the one who stirs up a bunch of speculation. But, our goal is to keep taking steps anyway we can.”

Even with the acquisition of John Carlson’s rights from the Anaheim Ducks, the Hurricanes still view Nikishin as a big piece of the roster in 2026-27. It just comes down to what route they take to keep the young Russian defenseman in Carolina. Whether it’s a short- or long-term deal, the AAV has to make sense for a player who has one year of NHL experience and where his ceiling could be over the next few years.

Mason Marchment – Unrestricted Free Agent

Another interesting option is left-winger/center Mason Marchment, who split time between the Seattle Kraken and the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2025-26. Before the 2022-23 season, the Hurricanes were very interested in the Canadian forward before he signed with the Dallas Stars for a four-year, $4.5 million AAV contract.

Last season, he tallied four goals and 13 points in 29 games for the Kraken before recording 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. While it was only 45 points in 68 games, the 31-year-old could be a nice addition for the Hurricanes’ top nine. AFP Analytics projects him to sign a three-year, $5.67 million AAV deal, which would take up 5.45% of the cap.

Marchment could bring some added scoring to the power play, which finished fourth in 2025-26, but a team can never have too many options. Plus, he can bring some thump and grit to the Hurricanes lineup to go with his scoring ability as had a .82 point-per-game pace with the Blue Jackets in 39 games last season. What could he have on a roster like the Hurricanes, who scored the second most goals in the NHL this season and the most in franchise history?

Jason Robertson – Restricted Free Agent

This last option is more of an out-there, tough-to-do move, but never say never when it comes to the Tulsky’s creativity. Jason Robertson, a pending RFA, haas a ton of speculation surrounding him. It’s been known for a while now that he declined a sign-and-trade to the Kraken for an eight-year, $15 million AAV contract, along with a couple of other trades.

While the Stars’ main goal is to keep Robertson, other teams have inquired about him. What if the Hurricanes presented an offer sheet for the American winger? When it comes to offer-sheet compensation, the two highest offers are $9,551,332 to $11,939,166 for two first-round picks, one second, and one third, while $11,939,166 or more comes out to four first-rounders.

The Hurricanes have $11.105 million in space, which would limit them to thee former option of includes two firsts, one second, and one third. The Hurricanes have three first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 in addition to two seconds and three third-round picks over the next two years. If they want to get crazy, they could give Robertson an offer sheet and see if the Stars want to match it. If they don’t give an offer sheet, they could still use some picks in a sign-and-trade for the 26-year-old. AFP Analytics projects him to sign an eight-year, $11.941 million deal (11.48% of the cap.)

This route would be more work, but it would make things interesting. Whether it’s an offer sheet or a sign-and-trade, adding Robertson’s 45 goals and 96 points (1.17 points per game) would silence the “Hurricanes-don’t-have-superstars” noise. Plus, who wouldn’t want a player like Robertson on their roster?

No matter how things go, the Hurricanes are in a great spot heading into free agency. They have 95% of their Stanley Cup roster signed through 2026-27, along with $11.105 million in cap space. They aren’t hurting for talent to get over the hump. It’s now about defending their crown as Stanley Cup champions. However free agency goes, the Hurricanes will be one of the front runners next season to win it all again.