COLUMN: Should I stay or should I go? Part one on the Carolina Hurricanes’ upcoming free agents

Twelve Carolina Hurricane “regulars” could hit the market this summer either in restricted or unrestricted free agency. Interim General Manager Eric Tulsky and Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke have some big decisions to make this off-season as the 2024-2025 roster could look much different than last year's.

Jake Guentzel, Center/Left Wing

Acquired by the Canes at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Guentzel will be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason and will command a significant raise from the $6 million he was paid last season.

The highly skilled Guentzel only played 28 games for Carolina, including the playoffs where he scored nine points in 11 playoff games. Once paired with center Sebastian Aho on the first line, he found instant chemistry, and over the course of the 17 regular season games he played with the team, Guentzel tallied 25 points. 

Guentzel is one of the fastest-thinking players on the team with a high motor. He sees plays before they happen, finds himself in the right position to score and sets up his teammates no matter where he plays.

An eight-year extension would keep Guentzel signed until his late 30s, but the way he plays his game shouldn’t be slowed down by age. There will be plenty of other teams looking to bring in Guentzel so the Hurricanes will have to pay up if they want to keep him around.

Jordan Martinook, Left Wing

Martinook has been a leader on and off the ice ever since the Canes acquired him via trade following the 2017-2018 season. After one season with the team, Martinook was named an alternate captain to start the 2019 season and has worn the “A” ever since.

He’s earned all the opportunities he gets with the team because he works hard on every shift to make a difference. Whether it’s killing penalties or taking first-line minutes with Aho when things aren’t clicking, Martinook does everything head coach Rod Brind’Amour asks of him.

If you look at just the scoresheet, Martinook’s impact is minimal, but a guy like him provides countless intangible benefits for someone who hasn’t made above $2 million in a single season. Turning 32 this offseason, Martinook likely doesn’t have many more seasons left in the tank and likely wants to close his career as a Hurricane.

No one has quite embraced Caniac and North Carolina culture as much as Martinook has so don’t be surprised if he takes a hometown discount to stay in Raleigh for a couple more runs at the Stanley Cup.

Stefan Noesen, Right Wing

Throughout his NHL career as a journeyman forward, Noesen has played at least a game for six different NHL teams besides the team that drafted him in the first round back in 2011. 

In the last two seasons, Noesen has set career-highs in goals and points, reaching the 30-point mark each time. He’s carved out a role for himself in front of the net where he excels at working in tight and finding creative ways to get the puck in the net. 

Despite averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time per game in the regular season, Noesen only reached double-digit minutes in the playoffs four times in 11 games as he saw his role dramatically decrease in the postseason. 

After finding a home in Carolina for the past two years, Noesen’s journey will likely continue somewhere else as he has earned himself a payday the Canes probably can’t afford in the most anticipated free agency of his career.

Teuvo Teravainen, Left Wing

Teravainen has been nothing short of instrumental in the Hurricanes' making six consecutive trips to the playoffs. He’s now been a part of the organization for eight seasons where he has eclipsed the 60-point mark in half of those. 

Following a lackluster 2022-2023 season, Teravainen bounced back this year in a major way, recording 53 points and a career-high 25 goals. His placement in the lineup wasn’t as consistent as it had been in previous seasons but he made the most of his opportunities.

Turning 30 in September, Teravainen will enter this free agency eyeing to sign what will likely be the last big NHL contract of his career at nothing short of $6 million AAV. The often quiet and reserved Finn makes it hard to know what his emotions are regarding the team and whether or not he is interested in taking less money to stay in Carolina. 

If last season was his last as Carolina Hurricane, he’s been a key player every year he has donned a Canes sweater. He and Aho have combined for the most goal combinations by any duo in franchise history, etching his name in the history books and hearts of the Caniacs.