The Carolina Hurricanes have to feel good about their offseason.
Key additions Nikolaj Ehlers and K’Andre Miller, as well as the Logan Stankoven contract extension, all point toward another productive season.
However, the Hurricanes will not be satisfied with another Eastern Conference Finals exit, and are still a rung below the two-time defending Cup champions Florida Panthers, who somehow retained all three of their crucial free agents this summer.
According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, Carolina is “one of those teams that [probably] spent time investigating” Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson, 35, is set to make $11.5 million each of the next two years before hitting free agency in 2028.
Seravalli also pointed out that his cap hit would likely have to diminish to the $7 million to $7.5 million range for teams to bite.
Karlsson has won three Norris Trophies (2012, 2015, 2023) primarily for his offensive contributions, and he is still an elite puck mover from the back-end. He has put up 22 goals and 109 points over the last two campaigns combined for Pittsburgh.
While he has never been an elite defensive defenseman, he has the skating prowess to thrive in Rob Brind’Amour’s controlled chaos, man-on-man system.
The problem with Karlsson, beyond his age and price tag, is that adding him would likely mean the end of either the Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield eras on the right side of the blue line.
Carolina does not have any expiring defenseman contracts aside from Alexander Nikishin, who will be a restricted free agent in 2026, but he does not appear to be heading anywhere.
Karlsson is not the perfect fit, but the Hurricanes are growing desperate for that Cup, and if they feel he is the needle mover, expect an aggressive pursuit.
