The 2024-25 NHL season is quickly coming to a close.
July 1, officially the first day of a new season, is fast approaching and that means that contracts will be ending too.
There's two different kinds of statuses for players at the conclusion of a contract: unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and restricted free agents (RFAs).
UFAs are free to negotiate with any team once that July 1 date rolls in, but RFAs are restricted to the team that holds their rights. There's a little more nuance to it all, but that's pretty much the jist of it.
The Carolina Hurricanes don't have any main roster RFAs this season, but there are a handful of prospects who are finishing out their ELCs or extensions.
Here are a list of those players under team control who will either be in need of new deals or will be let go:
Ryan Suzuki
24, C
12g, 59pts, 69gp (AHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 (Arbitration Eligible - QO $814,000)
The 2019 first-round pick finally got to make his NHL debut this season, appearing in two games for the Canes.
Suzuki was an AHL All-Star as well this season for the Chicago Wolves and managed another very successful season not marred by injuries.
Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Nearly Missed Out On NHL DebutRyan Suzuki made it to Lenovo Center with barely any time to spare Thursday night.
Skyler Brind'Amour
25, C
16g, 24pts, 68gp (AHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 (Arbitration Eligible)
The son of Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, Skyler signed a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina last season after mutually terminating a deal with the Florida Panthers/Charlotte Checkers. He was drafted in 2017 by the Edmonton Oilers.
Brind'Amour made his NHL debut at the end of the regular season and even scored his first career goal.
Skyler Brind'Amour Scores First NHL Goal With Dad, Rod, Behind The BenchIt was another loss for the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night, as they fell 7-5 to the Ottawa Senators in their regular season finale, but yet again, the special moments from the game outshined the outcome.
Noel Gunler
23, RW
13g, 26pts, 58gp (AHL)
Last Contract: 3 years, $863,000 AAV
The 2020 second-round pick returned to the AHL this season now that Carolina finally had some stability on that front.
The Swedish winger improved on his numbers from previous seasons.
Ty Smith
25, LHD
5g, 28pts, 36gp (AHL) / 1g, 2pts, 8gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 (Arbitration Eligible)
After being acquired by the Hurricanes as part of the Jake Guentzel deal, Smith signed a one-year extension with Carolina and was a solid depth piece for the team.
He was good at the AHL level and filled in for a few games at the NHL level when needed.
Hurricanes Trying Out New Blueliner On Top Power PlayTy Smith made his Hurricanes debut on Sunday and will be running the top power play in Shayne Gostisbehere's absence.
Domenick Fensore
23, LHD
9g, 32pts, 67gp (AHL)
Last Contract: 2 years, $925,000 (Arbitration Eligible)
The 2019 third-round defenseman had a good sophomore season in the American League, putting up career numbers, all while being a key piece for the Wolves in all situations.
Fensore earned an NHL callup at the end of the regular season and looked comfortable in the minutes he was awarded.
Pair Of Carolina Hurricanes Rookies Make NHL DebutsThe Carolina Hurricanes had a memorable night Wednesday even despite a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens as the team had a pair of rookies making their NHL debuts.
Ronan Seeley
22, LHD
3g, 10pts, 69gp (AHL)
Last Contract: 3 years, $810,000
The 2020 seventh-round pick took a bit of a step back offensively this season, but continues to be a strong defensive piece at the American League level.
Anttoni Honka
24, RHD
8g, 21pts, 42gp (NL - Swiss League)
Last Contract: 3 years, $836,667 (Arbitration Eligible)
The offensive defenseman has not played in the American Hockey League for two seasons now, having been loaned out to Europe in each of the past two years.
He was drafted in the third-round of the 2019 draft.
Yaniv Perets
25, G
0.921 Sv%, 27gp (ECHL) / 0.846 Sv%, 4gp (AHL) / 0.857 Sv%, 1gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 2 years, $805,000 (Arbitration Eligible)
Perets signed with the Hurricanes following his NCAA title-winning season in 2023.
He's struggled to keep up at the AHL level, but found success in the ECHL this season.
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