3 Hurricanes Looking to Take the Next Step Following Stanley Cup Win – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Carolina Hurricanes are seeking to defend their Stanley Cup title. After scoring the most goals in franchise history (291), the Hurricanes, if fully healthy, could achieve 300 goals. Furthermore, some players could see a points boost too. That said, which three players could take the momentum of winning a Stanley Cup and see their numbers take a jump this upcoming season?

Shayne Gostisbehere

The first player who comes to mind is defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. During the 2025-26 season, he tallied 13 goals and 50 points in 55 games. Despite being out of the lineup four times due to injuries, he was still almost a point-per-game player. That said, if he had a full season of games, Gostisbehere would have beaten Brent Burns’ single-season point record for a Hurricanes defenseman (61). If he manages to stay healthy and play around 80 to 84 games, he could easily set the new point record in Hurricanes history.

Gostisbehere is entering the final year of his three-year, $3.2 million annual average value (AAV) deal. If there was a time for him to have a career year, this upcoming season would be that one. Along with the rest of the team, Gostisbehere does not need extra motivation, especially after winning a Stanley Cup.

However, when it’s a contract year and looking for an extension to hopefully stay in Carolina longer, “Ghost” could benefit from a massive point jump, around 60 to 65 points. If Gostisbehere can tally in the mid-60-point range, especially with 15 to 20 goals, the Hurricanes could benefit from that production from their power-play first unit quarterback and third pairing defenseman.

K’Andre Miller

Another defenseman who could see a points boost this upcoming season is K’Andre Miller. In his first season in Raleigh, Miller tallied eight goals and 37 points in 72 games. Just like Gostisbehere, if Miller did not miss time due to injuries, he could have had over 10 goals, along with 40 to 45 points.

Despite the injuries, Miller got better as the season went along in 2025-26, especially in the playoffs, where he played the best hockey of his career at the right time. He had nine assists in 19 games, along with a plus-12. Miller was paired with Sean Walker for most of the season and the whole playoffs, where they combined for a plus-23. That pairing was huge for the Hurricanes.

Miller showcased why the Hurricanes acquired him in the sign-and-trade with the New York Rangers last season. Especially when the contract came out to an eight-year, $60 million deal, with an AAV of $7.5 million.

While it does take defensemen a longer time to get used to the Hurricanes’ system, Miller found a way to adapt. Furthermore, with that experience under his belt, he is poised to have a better second season with the Hurricanes under head coach Rod Brind’Amour and assistant/defense coach Tim Gleason.

Eric Robinson

The final player who could see a boost in his points total in 2026-27 is forward Eric Robinson. During the 2025-26 season, Robinson tallied 12 goals and 18 points in 67 games. Unfortunately for Robinson, he missed some time due to injuries, like most of the Hurricanes last season. It was tough for Robinson last season, especially after having 14 goals and 32 points the season before in a career year.

However, despite missing time in the regular season, Robinson played in all 19 playoff games for the Hurricanes, tallying three goals and eight points. His three goals led the Hurricanes in scoring for the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens. For Robinson, he will be looking to bounce back in 2026-27 and have a huge season to help the Hurricanes win back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Robinson is entering the second year of his four-year, $6.8 million deal, which sees him get $1.7 million annually. What helps the New Jersey native fit the Hurricanes’ system is the mix of his size, speed, physicality, and the buy-in into the team.

He has shown flashes of scoring, but if the puck can get into the net more, Robinson is someone who could score 15 or more goals a season. While he did have surgery in the season, he is scheduled to be back by training camp. If he can stay healthy and play between 82 and 84 games, Robinson could be in store for a massive bounce-back season.

While winning a Stanley Cup is amazing, there is a belief that the Hurricanes can win it all again in 2026-27. If the team can see a jump across the board in points, especially if everyone stays relatively healthy, the Hurricanes could look even scarier than they were last season. If that’s the case, could we see a new dynasty surging in North Carolina?