Hurricanes aiming 'to take the next step' this offseason, Aho says

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sebastian Aho said he believes the Carolina Hurricanes are poised to strengthen their roster heading into the offseason.

"I do think we're in a good spot as an organization," the center said during exit interviews Friday, two days after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Final. "We have tools to get better this offseason. I know the guys in that locker room are hard-working guys, and everyone is already thinking how, as a player, you can be better. But everyone keeps saying we have a lot of (NHL salary) cap space and we have assets. Hopefully we are able to take the next step from that department, too."

Carolina was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday following a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes, who were swept by the Panthers in the Eastern Final in 2023, have advanced at least one round in the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons under coach Rod Brind’Amour.

The Hurricanes roster has changed dramatically since the end of the 2023-24 season. Last summer, the Hurricanes lost free agent forwards Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago Blackhawks) and Stefan Noesen (New Jersey Devils), along with defenseman Brady Skjei (Nashville Predators) and Brett Pesce (Devils). The losses were offset by the signing of free agent forwards Jack Roslovic and Eric Robinson, as well as defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Walker.

"Last offseason, to be quite honest, I was kind of disappointed how it went,” Aho said. “We lost a couple guys that I'd like to see us keep. At the (NHL) trade deadline we tried to make a push. We do appreciate that the team wants us to get better. I feel like maybe making the right choices in the offseason (is important), picking up some pieces, so maybe you don't have to throw a Hail Mary at the deadline. You can maybe add some depth pieces, for example.

"It's exciting, and I do think we have really good pieces here, but also I think it's going to be a big offseason for us."

Carolina made a blockbuster three-team trade Jan. 24, acquiring forward Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, but the Hurricanes traded him to the Dallas Stars on March 7 when they were unable to sign him to a new contract. In return, Carolina received forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in 2026, a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

The Hurricanes will have decisions to make on two free agent defensemen; Brent Burns, who turned 40 on March 9, and Dmitry Orlov each expressed interest Friday in returning next season. Each can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Burns, who has not missed a game in his three seasons with Carolina, played on the top defense pair with Jaccob Slavin and had 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) and a plus-7 rating during the regular season and five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 playoff games.

"The hockey part is obviously incredible," Burns said. "The group here is really special. The young kids coming in are special. We love our time here. It's a special place. We'll see what happens. We love it here and would love for it to work out."

Orlov had 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 76 games this season and four assists in 15 playoff games.

"When you spend two years here, you feel comfortable, so of course you want to stay, especially when I moved once (from the Washington Capitals),” the 33-year-old said. “It's not easy. It's hard to know new teammates, a new system. It kind of changes your life. You want to not worry about that and feel comfortable."

Defensemen Walker and Jalen Chatfield will not need surgery after each was injured during the playoffs; Chatfield sustained a hip injury and last played in Game 4 of Carolina’s second-round series against Washington, and Walker did not play after injuring his shoulder on a hit by Florida forward A.J. Greerin Game 2 of the conference final.