Hurricanes Were Leading The Offseason Offer Sheet Charge

There have been no offer sheets signed this offseason even though the expectation after the 2024 offseason with the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues gave teams and fans hope. There remain RFAs as the preseason has started, but many teams got a contract done with their young players.

Just because no offer sheets were signed this offseason, doesn't mean none were sent and teams didn't try. According to Elliotte Friedman, "the offer sheets, even though it didn't happen, they were out there. Carolina, they threatened to offer sheet Evan Bouchard, they threatened to offer sheet K'Andre Miller. The offer sheet threat was there; it was from kind of one team."

This makes a lot of sense considering the Carolina Hurricanes, even after signing a player like Nikolaj Ehlers and acquiring Miller along with a new contract from the New York Rangers, still have plenty of cap space and remain contenders for the Stanley Cup.

While the offer sheet threat was there for Miller, the Hurricanes used that to their advantage to bring in the young defenseman and pay him despite it seeming like an overpay now. The Rangers needed a change and in their eyes, upgraded to Vladislav Gavrikov, an elite defensive defenseman.

The Hurricanes have been on the hunt for more high-end players, especially with the money they have. That would seemingly be the way they see themselves getting over the hump and going all the way. The team has plenty of futures and good young talent to continue using it to stay relevant as they draft and develop very well and have for a long time. As a competitive team that can remain at the top while drafting steals with later picks, it is dangerous and they will continue doing what they have. I expect a big trade or more offer sheet attempts next offseason by the Hurricanes as well.