Carolina is getting stronger. Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to join Nečas

Second place in the NHL regular season, Eastern Conference Finals. And in it, a 0-4 loss to Florida. That’s the record of the Carolina Hurricanes this past season. To take it one step further next season, the Canes are stepping it up again with the arrival of Vladimir Tarasenko.

The NHL Draft is over, the free agent market has opened up and all teams are gearing up for the new season and trying to put together the best team possible.

Some teams are more likely to land a future roster, while others are going all-in because they know they have to fight for the Stanley Cup for the last year or two due to expiring contracts of star players.

One of those teams is Carolina. A big increase in contract awaits Martin Nečas next year, who was the Canes’ highest scoring player and is only getting $3 million. Sebastian Aho is also in the last year of his contract with $8 million, as is Teuvo Teräväinen with $5.4 million.

Defensemen Brady Skjei ($5.2 million) and Brett Pesce ($4 million) are also out of contract in one year. 21-year-old forward Seth Jarvis, who is only getting $894,000, will ask for a raise and his contract also expires in a year.

So the Hurricanes management will have their work cut out for them next year to keep all the important players. That’s why they’re going into next season with a “now or never” goal.

The Canes have already signed two desirable players from the free agent market. First, Michael Bunting, who signed in Toronto for “pennies” ($950,000) and put up 63 points in his first season. He managed 49 in the last one and it was clear he deserved a better contract.

He got one in Carolina, who offered him $4.5 million. Bunting will boost an already loaded offensive line.

On defense, on the other hand, GM Don Waddell signed Dmitry Orlov, who Boston couldn’t afford. The 31-year-old defenseman was given a generous $7.7 million contract.

And the offense is expected to get another big boost. Vladimir Tarasenko moved from the St. Louis Blues to the New York Rangers during last season, only he won’t continue at Maddison Square Garden and decided to test the free agent market.

According to overseas reports, he was supposed to make a deal with Carolina. If the Canes could add Bunting, Orlov and Tarasenko to their already very full roster, it would be a masterpiece.

And there is still talk of interest in the league’s highest paid defenseman, Erik Carlsson, but that probably won’t happen due to the lack of room under the salary cap.

Source: NHL, Twitter, The Athletic