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2024-25 Carolina Hurricanes Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals

by Ryan Cobbett - 9/17/2024

Carolina Hurricanes predictions Pyotr Kochetkov

Last season was a good one for Carolina fans, as the Hurricanes finished with 111 points while also reaching the second round of the playoffs. They were tied for the second most regulation wins at 44 last season, while finishing second in the Eastern Conference with a +63-goal differential. Carolina handled the Islanders in the first round of the playoffs, winning in five games, but their season came to an end after the Rangers took the series in six games.

The Hurricanes were one of the more complete teams in the NHL last season. They ranked eighth in GF/G, averaging 3.38 GF/G, while their 26.9% PP% ranked second, and their 86.4% PK% was the best in the NHL. The one area they lacked was their shootout performance as they made just five of their 32 shootout attempts last season. The offensive attack ran through Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, as those two tallied more than 30 goals last season. Aho led the team with 89 points, 36 goals, and 53 assists. Jarvis was second in the team in all the same categories, finishing with 67 points, 33 goals, and 34 assists (tied with Brady Skjei). Martin Necas and Teuvo Teravainen each eclipsed the 20-goal mark on the season, while the roster as a whole had 17 players reach the 20-point mark.

Though the offense had incredible depth, the Hurricanes goaltending was among the best in the league. They ranked fourth in the league, allowing just 2.57 GA/G on a .905 SV%. Frederik Andersen appeared in only 16 games this season due to blood clots, though he performed really well, allowing just 1.84 GA/G on an elite .932 SV% while posting a 13-2 record. Pyotr Kochetkov led the team with 42 games played while allowing 2.33 GA/G on a .911 SV%. Antti Raanta also played a significant amount of time as well, appearing in 24 games while allowing 2.99 GA/G on a lowly .872 SV%.

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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024/25:

Carolina Hurricanes Key Additions/Losses

Tony DeAngelo (11 points), Stefan Noesen (37 points), Brett Pesce (13 points), along with key role pieces Brady Skjei (47 points), Teuvo Teravainen (53 points), along with backup netminder Antti Raanta, are all gone. Rental Jake Guentzel, who tallied 25 points in 17 games for Carolina, and Michael Bunting (36 points), who went to Pittsburgh for Guentzel, are now both off the roster.

The Hurricanes got a third-round pick from Tampa Bay in return for Guentzel’s rights. After all the losses this offseason, the depth at the blueline is highly questionable. However, the Hurricanes did their best to replenish at the position by bringing in Sean Walker (29 points) and Shayne Gostisbehere (56 points). They also added depth upfront by signing Eric Robinson (10 points), William Carrier (eight points), and Jack Roslovic (31 points).

Carolina Hurricanes X-Factors

Age- This Hurricanes roster is old. Outside of their top two lines up front, this is an aged group. Their defensemen’s average age is 32.1 (among those who will see significant ice time, their netminding groups average age is 29.8, while the third and fourth line of forwards average age is 30). Carolina’s top two lines average age is just 25.3, but the depth behind them is definitely a much older group. In some ways this can be a positive, but their age makes you wonder when regression sets in.

Depth- With the age questions, you have depth questions. Not only are injuries more likely for these veteran players, but there are a lot of these veterans who are injury prone. William Carrier was limited to just 39 games last season, while forwards Jack Roslovic and Andrei Svechnikov appeared in just 59 games last season. Then you have the age and injury history of Frederik Andersen, whose absence could be a significant blow to this Carolina team with Spencer Martin slated as his replacement. The Hurricanes age, injury, and depth questions can be a concern over the course of the long season.

Carolina Hurricanes Goalie Outlook

As mentioned, the goalie tandem heading into the season appears to be Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen, with Spencer Marting waiting in the wings for an opportunity to see ice time. Kochetkov was phenomenal in his 40 starts last season, though the youngster has just 65 starts in his career, so consistency could be in question. Andersen, if healthy, really boosts the talent in the crease for the Hurricanes, though he has totaled just 50 starts over the last two seasons, so his ability to stay healthy is a concern. Spencer Martin went 4-1-1 in his six games last season allowing 2.63 GA/G. Health and longevity are once again a question for the Hurricanes team whose window appears to be closing.

Grade: B-

Carolina Hurricanes Key Schedule Stretch

December 20th- January 2nd: This stretch includes seven games, six of which are on the road and six of which are against presumed playoff contenders this season. It starts with a four-game road trip with stops in Washington, New York (Rangers), Nashville, and New Jersey before the Hurricanes return home for a rematch with New Jersey on back-to-back days, and then the stretch ends on a two-game road set that features Columbus and Florida. The game against Columbus could very well be the only winnable game for Carolina, and that’s on the road. This is a tough pre-deadline stretch that could have a big impact on where Carolina is in the standings at the turn of the new calendar year.

Carolina Hurricanes Notable Odds

Stanley Cup Champions: +5000

Conference Winner: +650

Division Winner: +270

Hart Trophy- Sebastian Aho: +20000

Vezina Trophy- Frederik Andersen: +4500

Vezina Trophy- Pyotr Kochetkov: +4500

Carolina Hurricanes Predictions

The depth and the injury issues are a huge concern for me and limits my faith in their ability to stay competitive down the home stretch of the season. Though their offensive depth proved effective last season, losing Guentzel, Bunting, Teravainen, Skjei, Noesen, among others, is a huge blow to this teams scoring capabilities. Not only that, but they are one or two injuries away from having an average roster. I believe Carolina is in for a huge setback this season. And while they have the pieces to beat anyone in seven game set, they must ensure their spot in the playoffs over the course of an 82-game season. I like the under on the point total. However, if they do in fact have a stellar season, it will likely be thanks to the efforts of Pyotr Kochetkov, who in turn could be a huge favorite for the Vezina Trophy (+4500).

Under 100.5 Team Total Points

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