The Metropolitan Division Is the Carolina Hurricanes’ to Lose in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

As we head into the last weekend without hockey, the 2026-27 season is right around the corner. The Carolina Hurricanes seek to defend their first Stanley Cup title in 20 years. They look poised to run it back with the same roster that won it all back in June. That said, why are the Hurricanes favorites to win the Metropolitan Division and have the opportunity to go back-to-back as champions?

Running It Back in Carolina

Looking at the Hurricanes roster heading into the 2026-27 season, almost 98% of the roster is returning. Despite Frederik Andersen signing with the Edmonton Oilers, it’s hard to imagine a time in the cap era when a team could return almost its entire Stanley Cup roster. Even during the dynasty of the Chicago Blackhawks, the back-to-back Cups for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the two Cups in four seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, they had to retool.

While the Hurricanes are still figuring out the Alexander Nikishin situation, they still have plenty of options to strengthen the blueline for the upcoming season. Over the last few days, the Hurricanes signed Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Mike Reilly as likely seventh and eighth defensemen. Even if they don’t have Nikishin figured out by the time the season starts, they can always go with Joel Nystrom, who fit in well last season. Enough to earn a four-year contract extension.

After a learning process in the first half of the season in Raleigh, K’Andre Miller showed why the Hurricanes did the sign-and-trade for him back on July 1, 2025. He played his best hockey during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs alongside his defensive partner Sean Walker. Those two were the most underrated pairing in the playoffs last season. Now heading into season two and knowing the system fully, Miller is poised for an even better season under defense coach Tim Gleason.

Regarding the forwards, all 14 who were on the Stanley Cup team will return. Despite Seth Jarvis being out until the end of November or early December due to shoulder surgery, the Hurricanes’ forward depth is loaded. Top forward prospect Bradley Nadeau might have a longer look at the beginning of the season. Two other players in the mix are Felix Unger Sorum and Justin Robidas. They were first and third in points for the American Hockey League (AHL) Chicago Wolves last season.

Even if the Hurricanes don’t go with a younger player, they still have Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nic Deslauriers as their 13th and 14th forwards who could be placeholders until Jarvis returns. Either way, the team is set for scoring, especially with Nikolaj Ehlers heading into his second season in Raleigh. He had a career-high 71 points in 2025-26, even after scoring his first goal in Game 13. If Ehlers can hit the ground running from Game 1, he could be in for a 75- to 80-point season.

Despite no points in the first eight games of the season, Andrei Svechnikov had 70 points in the next 71 games to have a career season. If he also gets points right away, is there a chance for another career year for him, too?

Younger players Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven had career seasons as well. Blake went from 34 points in 2024-25 to 53 in 2025-26. He even led the Hurricanes in assists (13) and points (20) in the playoffs. Stankoven finished with 21 goals in his first full season in Raleigh, while learning to be a full-time center.

It’s hard not to mention Taylor Hall, who had 19 points in the playoffs and rounded out the second line of him, Stankoven, and Blake to be the best trio in the postseason. Their line was sensational and looks poised to do it again. Could all three be the best line in the NHL this upcoming season?

While the Metropolitan Division did get slightly better, mainly the Washington Capitals, by acquiring Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, the Hurricanes are still favorites to win it again. They finished first last season with 113 points; the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers finished with 98. The Capitals missed the playoffs with 95 points.

Even then, the Hurricanes still maintain the deepest roster in the division, and even in the NHL as a whole. It’s certainly not a lock on Sept. 12 that they will win it 100%. However, with them having their whole squad back next season, it’s tough to argue against the Hurricanes.

Regardless of how the season goes, the ultimate goal is winning the Stanley Cup again. The best part about the 2026-27 season is that the pressure is off to finally win it. They won it already; now it’s time to see if they can win ot back-to-back seasons. Knowing how head coach Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes prepare, it won’t be hard to be motivated to prove it wasn’t a one-hit-wonder season like in 2005-06. They are poised to become the next dynasty in the NHL.