Free agency season is directly ahead, and the Carolina Hurricanes have retained the rights to four RFA players.
The four players are Dylan Coghlan, Jack Drury, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas.
Drury and Jarvis are both non-surprises to fans. Drury has been a consistent part of the Hurricanes offensive system since 2022, with twenty-seven points this past season. Jarvis is not only a fan and hockey media favorite for his quotable soundbites, but his breakout year ensured his fate as a Carolina Hurricane. GM Eric Tulsky told Raleigh sports media on June 18 that the organization and Jarvis’s camp are working on an eight-year deal for the twenty-two-year-old right winger.
However, Necas is a surprise. Trade rumors have swirled since the deadline, coming to new heights after the postseason came to an end. It was an expectation that Necas would be traded before the 2024 NHL Draft, which did not happen. The organization’s front office released star Jake Guentzel’s rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier today after failing to come to an agreement. Despite Guentzel being a UFA, this move likely clears enough cap space for Necas to stay with the Hurricanes organization and play a larger role with more ice time.
Non-offered players that are now complete unrestricted free agents are Max Comtois, Blake Murray, Griffin Mendel, and Tuukka Tieksola. None of these are surprises to Canes fans, especially with the NHL cap and the late April signings of prospects.
There have been no buyouts for the Hurricanes. Free agency officially begins July 1, which is when fans to expect to see a majority of offers and trades occur.
