2 days after free agent, Hurricanes are busy – Hockey Writer – Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest move on July 1 was the eight-year extension of Logan Stankoven, followed by signature and trade, and an eight-year extension of K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers. It is believed that this is not the first day when people think that the Hurricane will lower a massive drop in the day before June 30, and the team extends a large number of players. However, that doesn’t mean the hurricane is quiet outside of Stankoven and Miller’s actions.
on the contrary. They made a considerable number of moves in the first two days of their free agent days, even if it was mostly in-depth players. Even if they aren’t what Needle fans want, the organization still has some faces to help in some capacity. That is, who are other new or returned faces of the Hurricane Organization in 2025-26?
Add depth where needed
Cayden Primeau
The first step happened during the free agent period on Tuesday, July 1. On Monday, June 30, the Hurricanes traded the 2026 seventh round pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goalkeeper Cayden Primeau. Primeau is the son of former Hurricane captain Keith Primeau, and he performed best in the American Hockey League (AHL) in the 2024-25 season. He has a record of 21-2-3, with 1.96 goal average (GAA) and 0.927 savings percentage (SV%) for Laval Rocket in 26 games. Primeau did play 11 games for the NHL Canadiens. His numbers in the NHL aren’t as charming as his AHL numbers. He has a record of 2-3-1, 4.70 GAA and 0.836 SV%.
Although Primeau’s NHL numbers aren’t good, his AHL numbers do show that he can get his job done among minors. He even played eight Calder Cup playoff games for the Rockets, where he scored 3-4-0 with a 3.27 GAA and 0.878 SV%. One big note beyond his regular season numbers is that Primeau and teammate Connor Hughes won the 2025 Harry Holmes Memorial Award for the AHL’s best goalkeeper duo.
Related: 2025 NHL Free Agent Tracker
Primeau signed a deal on July 1 to officially become part of the organization because he is a restricted free agent (RFA). The deal hits a one-year, $775,000 Average Yearly Value (AAV) contract that will last for the 2025-26 season. The reason for getting him is that Dustin Tokarski has not returned this season, while Spencer Martin heads to CSKA MOSKVA at Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Since the Hurricanes require goalkeeper depth and third goalkeeper with NHL experience, it makes sense that Carolina can acquire Primeau after his best AHL season. General Manager Eric Tulsky said after announcing the deal: “Cayden is 25 years old and is his best AHL season.
Primeau is likely to be the outbreak glass racing goalkeeper this season if Frederik Andersen or pyotr Kochetov is injured. Either way, he is the third goalkeeper on the deep list and can help head coach Cam Abbott and his Chicago staff to participate in the 2025-26 AHL season. He will provide a steady backup in Raleigh for Andersen or Kochetkov if needed. Also, for deep goalkeepers, AAV is really cheap.
Amir Miftakhov
Back on April 30, there were rumors that Hurricanes would sign another Russian cybersetter in the KHL. On July 1, it became official as Amir Miftakhov signed a one-year two-way deal with Hurricane. The deal will be used in the 2025-26 season, where Miftakov will pay $775,000 in the NHL or $100,000 in the AHL. No matter where he plays this upcoming season, he can guarantee at least $240,000. Tulsky said that after the trade announcement of Miftakhov, “Amir brought together many solid seasons in the KHL and was ready to return to professional hockey in North America. It’s important to have the depth of the goalkeeper and we look forward to him bringing him to our organization.”
Miftakhov competed in 30 games with KHL’s AK Bars Kazan in the 2024-25 season. He finished 13-11-3, scoring 2.18 GAA and 0.927 SV% in the regular season. Plus, he even had four blockades. Just like Primeau’s increase, it is believed that the hurricanes require depth in the goalkeeper department. Additionally, Miftakhov is said to be a good mesh that can be suitable for hurricanes. It’s very likely that he pairs with Primeau in AHL to make it a solid 1-2 combo in the crease.
Mike Reilly
The signing of US defenseman Mike Reilly was not originally announced on July 1. Chicago, Illinois native signed a one-year, $1.1 million AAV deal to participate in the 2025-26 Hurricanes. Reilly scored two points and all assists in 18 games for the New York Islanders in the 2024-25 season. The lack of game is because he had a heart surgery in November 2024, but he did return in the spring. “Mike is an experienced defensive player who has the ability to step in and contribute on both ends of the ice. He missed time last season, but he resumed his health program in the spring but was ready to go to training camp.”
Related: Hurricane Contacts Rangers k’andre Miller
The Hurricane will be his seventh series to enter his 11th NHL season. Reilly’s role will be primarily a seventh-time defender as the injury and/or the main starter of the Blue Line rests. What makes him perfect for him is that despite being a left Gunner defender, he can play on both sides of the ice, so he has versatility for assistant coach Tim Gleason and head coach Rod Brind’amour. He also brought in the presence of veterans, even if the Hurricane had entered the defensive room player. The AAV and one-year term are perfect for players with NHL experience in the Hurricanes and put young players in trouble in the AHL with Wolves. While the move isn’t a huge needle-to-hands-on, every team needs deep players, especially when it comes to defense, which is why Reilly brought to the Hurricanes in 2025-26.
Tyson Jost
The only one who completed the hurricane on July 2nd day was the re-signation of Tyson Jost. Jost rejoined the Hurricane after signing a one-year, $775,000 two-way deal in the 2025-26 season. The contract will pay him $775,000 to the NHL, or $300,000 to him in the AHL. He also received a guarantee of at least $600,000. He played 39 regular season games for the Hurricanes in 2024-25 due to injuries to the main Hurricane lineup, where he scored four goals and nine points. In addition, he played 14 games for Wolves in the AHL, scoring 4 goals and 9 points. For Hurricanes, it makes sense to use Jost as the first call when injured.
Tulskay said Wednesday that after the deal was announced, “Tyson was able to contribute to our organization in many different ways last year and we would be happy to keep him here. He is very popular, hardworking, and capable of playing many different roles in the roster.” Overall, for the Hurricanes, for a player they know very well, who loves both in the Hurricanes and Wolves locker rooms. He is a player who brings depth and hard work, perfect for the system. Jost will be someone who will rely on throughout the season, both in the NHL and AHL, after what he did during 2024-25, he will rise and contribute when needed.
Still on Nikolaj Ehlers
While the four additional signings outside the Stankoven and Miller moves were not considered moving the needle, they are all things that every team has to do if they want depth throughout the season. The Hurricane made the necessary moves and was in a good position in this case. They have the depth of the seventh defender, are the first call/14th of the AHL, and there are two goalkeepers to knock it down. Also, if injured, one of them may become a backup. For Reilly, he is someone who brings solid defensive depth with injuries or rest. Either way, these are good moves that can make the lineup go up so that the Hurricanes don’t stagnate and play the unprepared person.
Another big name where the Hurricane is located is forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Although he has not signed with a team, his news is that they are still working for him and are waiting for his decision. “We’re waiting to see where that goes,” Tulsky said in free agent day 1 media availability. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes, but rest assured that the Hurricane is still pursuing big moves for the 2025-26 season with $18.257 billion hat space.
