Boston Bruins defenseman Dmitry Orlov (81) checks Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) during the second period at TD Garden.
Bob DeChiara
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes did not make a major trade or announce a major contract extension Saturday, as some may have expected.
On the first day of NHL free agency, the Hurricanes signed free agents.
The Canes signed veteran defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Michael Bunting, adding some size, toughness and feistiness to the roster — something needed in the physical grind that is the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Canes also refused to let some of their unrestricted free agents get away. They re-signed goalies Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, and made sure versatile forward Jesper Fast did not leave in free agency.
“Interesting day,” Canes president and general manager Don Waddell said Saturday afternoon. “Things have changed here. We used to chase players, have to over-pay players. We’ve become a destination place and we’re getting those calls first. It’s nice to be in that position, to have an opportunity to make your team better.
“We felt the additions today put us in a different spot moving forward.”
And gives Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour more options with his lineup..
Here’s a look at the Canes’ “interesting day.”
Boston Bruins defenseman Dmitry Orlov (81) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Jamie Sabau Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Bring on Orlov
Waddell said the former Washington Capitals D-man was the best available free-agent defenseman, and the Canes got him. Orlov, who turns 32 this month, agreed to a two-year deal that will pay an average of $7.75 million a year, making him the Canes’ highest-paid defenseman.
“He’s a puck-moving defenseman who fits the style that Rod likes to play,” Waddell said. “He can join the rush. He brings some offense, and on the power play.”
Orlov spent 11 seasons and played 686 games with the Caps – winning a Stanley Cup in 2018 — before being traded to the Boston Bruins before the deadline this past season. He envisioned another run at another Cup but the Bruins, after a record-setting regular season, were ousted in the first round by Florida.
Orlov said the last month has been “tough” but that he’s happy with his decision.
“I have a new team and I’m going to have new friends,” he said Saturday on a media call. “I just have to bring a good mood and bring everything on the ice to have a chance to win.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting (58) pursues the play against the Florida Panthers in the third period in game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Big on Bunting
Hockey people like to talk about “sandpaper” guys and Bunting is that. He’s an agitator on the ice and he has some skill — he has scored 23 goals each of the past two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bunting, 27, had 69 points in 2021-22, when he was third in the Calder Trophy voting and made the NHL all-rookie team.
“He’s a player who brings a lot of intangibles,” Waddell said. “He can score. He hits. He’s a feisty guy.”
Waddell said Bunting agreed to a three-year deal worth an average of $4.5 million a year.
Bring back the goalies
Not only did Waddell re-sign Andersen and Raanta, but did it at a lower price. Andersen signed a two-year deal that will pay the veteran an average of $3.4 million a season and Raanta received a one-year contract for $1.5 million.
Consider that Andersen was making $4.5 million with the Canes the past two years and Raanta $2 million.
“They took a little salary cut, which is always hard for a player to do,” Waddell said.
Waddell said the Canes might play Andersen, Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov in some kind of three-goalie rotation next season., lessening potential injuries.
Fast decision
The Swedish forward might have found another team willing to pay a few more dollars in free agency, but Fast accepted the two-year. $4.8 million offer from Carolina.
“Important player for us,” Waddell said. “He’s a true pro. Comes to the rink every day and you get the same effort in practice as you do in a game. “
What about Aho?
The Canes should soon announce a contract extension for center Sebastian Aho, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2023-24. It didn’t happen Saturday, but could be soon.
Waddell said again Saturday that the two sides were close on an agreement, which could entail an 8-year extension. As Waddell put it, that would be the “final landing spot.”
No Tony D?
Waddell said there was still a deal in place with Philadelphia for defenseman Tony DeAngelo, but that it could take another week to fully comply with NHL guidelines.. The Flyers signed DeAngelo to a new contract last July after acquiring him from Carolina, but must wait a year before trading him back to the Canes while retaining salary.
“We have a deal in principle but it can’t be executed until a certain date,” Waddell said.
This story was originally published July 1, 2023 at 4:38 PM.
In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.
