Saturday, June 6, 2026

Hurricanes’ Playoff Run Will Be Driven By Young, Low-Cost Stars

  • Rookie Seth Jarvis opened their playoff scoring and is playing on an entry-level contract.
  • Sebastian Aho’s cap hit is highest on the team, but only 33rd in the NHL.
Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes’ homegrown core has kept them competitive all season — and is now leading a playoff charge for an organization that has thrived on young, low-cost talent.

Rookie center Seth Jarvis opened the scoring in Monday’s 5-1 dismantling of the Bruins in Game 1, finishing the evening with a goal and an assist. The 20-year-old has now recorded at least one point in eight consecutive contests.

Jarvis is just the latest success story for a Carolina franchise betting on youth — and keeping the team’s cap hit low in the process.

  • Jarvis’ and Martin Necas’ entry-level contracts carry 2021-22 cap hits of just $894,167 and $863,333, respectively.
  • Sebastian Aho holds the largest 2021-22 cap hit ($8.5M) on the team after the Canes were forced to match an offer sheet from the Canadiens in 2019 — but it’s still just the 33rd-largest hit in the league this season.
  • Andrei Svechnikov, the No. 2 pick in 2018, accounts for $7.8M of cap space — second on the team but 52nd in the NHL.
  • Jaccob Slavin is the Canes’ highest-paid defender at a $5.3M cap hit — which is 49th among all NHL defensemen.

Impressively, Carolina drafted each of these stars — the oldest (Slavin) just turned 28.

Though experience often wins the day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the young Hurricanes are impressive, and sportsbooks are taking notice: Carolina currently has the sixth-best odds (+900) to win it all.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Stanley Cup Final Viewership for Game 1 Nearly Doubles on ABC

The Vegas win was the most-watched Stanley Cup Final opener since 2019.
SEA at VAN - Nov. 21, 20251

Will the PWHL’s Aggressive Expansion Succeed?

The league added four teams ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Stars Arena Move Deepens Downtown Dallas Sports Exodus

Both the Stars and Mavericks are seeking to build new arenas.
Jun 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) prepares for the fdfirst period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center

Hockey Canada Trial Looms Over Hart in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Carolina fans broke out into a “no means no” chant.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

NBA Finals Game 4 Tickets Hit $15K After Knicks Go Up 2-0

The ticket resale market surges again after the Knicks claim another win.
June 3, 2026

How the NBA’s Perpetual Doormat Set Up the Finals

The Kings gave the Knicks a coach, and the Spurs a star.
June 4, 2026

How Much Money Will the Knicks Make From Their Finals Run?

Finals games alone could be worth $20 million each.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
June 2, 2026

Fever Bar Writer Scott Agness Over Caitlin Clark Injury Reporting

The controversy centers on reporting about Caitlin Clark’s injury status.
Jun 1, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes general manger Eric Tlulsky during media day for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center.
June 2, 2026

With a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Hurricanes GM Stands Out in NHL

Carolina’s GM has a background that is exceptionally rare in hockey.
Jun 1, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella during media day for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center.
June 2, 2026

Tortorella Stars As Central Character of Stanley Cup Final

The often-combative NHL head coach is on a historic run.
May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders third baseman Taylor Pannell (6) yells towards her dugout after a stolen base as Tennessee Lady Volunteers infielder Ella Dodge (25) looks on in the seventh inning during the NCAA WomenÕs College World Series at Devon Park.
June 1, 2026

Powered by Transfers, Texas Tech Softball Heads to WCWS Semis

15 of 23 players on Texas Tech’s roster are transfers.