The Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Jaccob Slavin reportedly are working on a long-term extension
The Carolina Hurricanes have a lot of things to take care of this offseason, but they reportedly are working on a long-term extension for Jaccob Slavin, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Jaccob Slavin is a big part of the Hurricanes' success, and he is entering the last year of his seven-year, $37.1 million contract that pays him $5.3 million a year. He is entering his age 30 season, and he has been a top pairing defenseman. He played alongside Brent Burns last season.
The Hurricanes have been a Stanley Cup hopeful for many seasons, but have been unable to break through. This past season, Carolina lost in six games in the second round to the New York Rangers. Now, the Hurricanes have a lot of free agents and likely are not going to be able to retain all of them. With Slavin's cap hit at $5.3 million next season, it will be interesting to see what his average annual value will be if he signs an extension with the team this summer. The cap hit very well could jump up after next season with a new deal.
Carolina will have to prioritize the right players and walk away from others to try to extend this window. It will be a fascinating offseason ahead.
Big offseason looms for the Hurricanes
In addition to locking in Slavin for the long-term with a potential extension, the Hurricanes have a long list of free agents to make decisions on. They have Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce as impending unrestricted free agents, while Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis and Jack Drury are set to become restricted free agents.
When it comes to Jake Guentzel, the Hurricanes' prized winger that they acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline, it seems unlikely that he will be re-signed. There has been buzz that the Hurricanes are shopping his rights to be signed. It remains to be seen whether or not any of Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei or Brett Pesce will be back.
The biggest restricted free agent for the Hurricanes is Martin Necas, who is also a trade candidate. There has been a sense that Necas would prefer a change of scenery, but that is not necessarily up to him. If the Hurricanes retain him, it would make sense for him to get a bigger role on the team, as there is a lot of potential. It will be worth monitoring what Carolina does with Seth Jarvis and Jack Drury as well.
There is still a lot of talent in place in Carolina, but the organization will have to make smart moves to fill out the depth of the roster, while also possibly making a change at goalie to remain a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.
