The Carolina Hurricanes’ New GM Should Prioritize Brady Skjei…
With Eric Tulsky now confirmed as the new general manager, his initial focus should be on strengthening the defense. The Carolina Hurricanes boasted a solid defensive lineup last season and have recently re-signed Jalen Chatfield, but further action is necessary as three key players are set to enter free agency this summer.
Realistically, it’s unlikely that all three—Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Tony DeAngelo—will return to Raleigh. DeAngelo is the most likely to leave, and the salary cap constraints make it impossible to keep both Skjei and Pesce.
Losing both Skjei and Pesce would be a significant setback for Tulsky in his first year as GM. Although Tulsky was involved in unsuccessful contract negotiations with Pesce last summer, Skjei is currently more critical to the team. He consistently delivers strong defensive play, logging over 21 minutes per game, while also contributing significantly on offense, including his role on the blue line.
Skjei, from Lakeville, Minnesota, is coming off a career-high 47 points season and previously scored a career-high 18 goals. At 30, the former New York Rangers first-round pick is at the peak of his career and fits seamlessly into Rod Brind’Amour’s system.
Skjei’s familiarity and success within the Carolina system could potentially lead to a discount on his contract, provided it includes a longer term. Experts predict Skjei could command between $7 million and $8 million per year, with contract lengths ranging from 5 to 6 years. Extending the contract to 8 years could help manage the cap hit over time, depending on Skjei’s willingness to negotiate with Tulsky.
The best chance for retaining Skjei is signing him before July 1st, as he will attract significant interest as a free agent. The market for left-handed defensemen isn’t as strong as for right-handed ones, and Skjei’s unique skill set and relative youth make him a valuable asset. Potential replacements include Shayne Gostisbehere or Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but keeping Skjei should remain the top priority as free agency looms.
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