After getting swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Florida Panthers, the Carolina Hurricanes reloaded their roster with some key signings and are looking to push for a Stanley Cup in the 2023-2024 season. Here’s a look at some of the new additions the Canes brought in to bolster their lineup for the upcoming year.
Michael Bunting, LW
Left winger Michael Bunting fills one of the biggest holes Carolina had last season — depth at left wing. Once left winger Andrei Svechnikov went down with a torn ACL and was done for the year, there wasn’t much talent left behind him.
Despite his age, Bunting has only played two full NHL seasons, and he’s scored 23 goals each year. While in Toronto, Bunting was surrounded by high-scoring talent, and his creative playmaking abilities netted him many points.
A jack-of-all-trades player, Bunting likes to establish himself physically and doesn’t give up on the play. He fits the high-intensity forecheck system the Canes like to run, and if he can find a rhythm with the team, he will be a bargain at a $4.5 million average annual value.
Dmitry Orlov, D
When free agency kicked off this summer, defenseman Dmitry Orlov was ranked as the best defensive free agent in 2023 and was highly sought after, so when the Canes signed him for big money, many were surprised. Orlov was looking for a long-term deal from the Washington Capitals, but after not inking any deal, the Caps shipped him to Boston for the second half of the 2023 season.
The Canes were able to re-sign some veterans to cheaper contracts than they were on in years prior, freeing up some space to bring in Orlov at a $7.75 million average annual value for two years.
The Russian has plenty of talent on both ends of the ice. His rocket of a shot and his speed makes him dangerous on the rush where he sneaks in on the weak side — a nightmare for opposing goaltenders. He isn’t afraid to lay the body either and ruffle some feathers, something the Canes lacked throughout the playoffs.
On any other team in the NHL, Orlov is guaranteed to be a top-four defenseman. However, the Canes defense is so deep that it will be interesting to see where he fits in. Defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei already have established themselves on the left-hand side of the defense, so until the season gets underway it will be impossible to guess where Orlov lines up.
Brendan Lemieux, LW
As the NHL shifts farther away from the fisticuffs, the role of the goon is a dying breed. That didn’t stop the Hurricanes when this summer, they signed left winger Brendan Lemieux to a one-year deal worth $800,000.
Lemieux has been a bottom-six forward his entire career and has made a name for himself by getting penalties, such as biting a player’s hands just two seasons ago.
He isn’t a name that appears on the scoresheet very often, but he’ll be most impactful if he can draw the hits away from players like center Sebastian Aho, who can do much more in space than when constantly getting hit.
At only $800,000, there’s a high likelihood Lemieux will be used sparingly as the Canes’ 13th forward in case of injuries or other circumstances that bar others from the ice.
Lemieux will also be joined by friend and podcast co-host defenseman Tony DeAngelo, who has arrived back in Carolina after a tumultuous season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Leftovers
If bringing back defenseman Dylan Coghlan wasn’t enough, the Canes also signed defenseman Caleb Jones to a one-year contract at the league minimum.
Heading into training camp, the Canes have acquired numerous veterans on professional tryout contracts who look to use their leadership skills to crack the final roster, such as center Zach Aston-Reese and left wing Brendan Perlini.
With the talent the Hurricanes have acquired, this year more than ever feels like Stanley Cup or bust. With the new acquisitions the team made, this may be the year this group gets over the last couple of hurdles and etches their name in history.
