Wednesday, September 16, 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

Jan 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (9) gets set during a face off in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena

NHL’s Eleventh-Hour Scramble to Lock In 8-Year Deals

Teams are pushing to sign players to max-length contracts before terms drop.
Cortlandt defeats Pearl River 7-2 in ice hockey action at Bear Mountain Ice Rink in Stony Point on December 16, 2025.

Parents Sue Black Bear Sports Over Youth Hockey Hotel Tactics

The suit seeks at least $5 million in damages.

Philadelphia Arena Project Quietly Updates Rendering

The original rendering didn’t appear to depict any women Flyers fans.
Jun 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Commisioner of the NHL Gary Bettman announces the winner of the the Conn Smythe Trophy Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) (not pictured) in game six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.

NHL Readies Sun Belt Expansion, but Georgia Isn’t Done Deal

An Atlanta developer walked back a claim of a submitted expansion application.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/16/26 – Silver Talks Clippers Fallout, Ole Miss Braces for Kiffin Return, Novig CEO on Sweeney Backlash

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Ndamukong Suh Blasts Rams’ ‘Asinine’ Australia Travel Plan

The Rams traveled to a game in Melbourne just a day before kickoff.
September 14, 2026

Clippers Reverse Course and Accept NBA Punishment

Steve Ballmer said he has “sincere regrets.”
September 15, 2026

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett Says Giants Ownership Transfer Is Complete

The Tisch shares have been passed down.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 11, 2026

49ers Win Battle of Australia Travel Plans

The Niners blew out the Rams on Thursday.
Sep 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
September 10, 2026

Ohtani Heads to Injured List as Dodgers Aim for Third Title

The two-way phenom is making a rare trip to the injured list.
September 8, 2026

Mayfield, Bucs Break Impasse With Three-Year Extension

The deal runs through the 2029 season.
Aug 30, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay at practice at the Rams Practice Facility
September 5, 2026

Why Are the Niners and Rams Getting to Australia a Week Apart?

The 49ers are already there, while the Rams have yet to leave.