The Carolina Hurricanes are entering what could be a very active 2025 offseason. Fresh off another playoff appearance, General Manager Eric Tulsky has over $28 million in cap space to work with, the fifth-most in the NHL and the most among teams that made the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Hurricanes will undoubtedly be looking to add talent via free agency, they also have some internal business to address, specifically with their restricted free agents (RFAs).

Unlike last offseason where they had to navigate deals for key players like Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas, this year's RFA crop is primarily composed of depth players and prospects. This gives the Hurricanes flexibility in free agency but also requires careful evaluation to determine which young players to retain and which to let go.

Here's a breakdown of some of the Hurricanes' notable RFAs and a prediction of their likelihood to stay with the organization:

Forwards:

• Skyler Brind'Amour: The son of head coach Rod Brind'Amour, Skyler has become a reliable player for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. At 25, his NHL upside might be limited, but he provides solid depth. Given his connection to the organization and his dependable play, it's likely the Hurricanes will offer him a qualifying offer and re-sign him to a one- or two-year, two-way deal.

• Ryan Suzuki: A former first-round pick, Suzuki has had an up-and-down tenure with the Hurricanes. However, he had a strong season with the Chicago Wolves, leading the team in scoring with 59 points in 69 games. Despite his progress, it's unclear if there's a spot for him in Carolina's lineup, especially with established centers like Jordan Staal and Mark Jankowski filling the bottom-six roles. Suzuki may be on the cusp of an NHL opportunity, but that opportunity may come with another team.

• Noel Gunler: Gunler is another RFA forward within the Hurricanes system. While he didn't play for the NHL team during the 2024-25 season, he remains an RFA this summer.

Defensemen:

• Ty Smith: Acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade, Smith served as a depth defenseman for the Hurricanes but was surpassed by other players on the depth chart. While he put up decent numbers in the AHL, his defensive game in the NHL has been questionable. It's unlikely the Hurricanes view him as a viable NHL option, and they may prefer to give ice time to younger prospects.

• Domenick Fensore, Anttoni Honka, and Ronan Seeley: These defensemen are also RFAs who did not see NHL time with the Hurricanes in the past season, further solidifying the Hurricanes prospect pool on the blue line.

Goalies:

• Yaniv Perets: After a stellar college career, Perets has struggled to find his footing in the professional ranks. He's been surpassed by other young goalies in the system, and it's hard to see a clear path to success for him in the Hurricanes organization.

Overall Outlook:

The Hurricanes have a solid foundation in place and can afford to be selective with their RFAs. They'll likely prioritize re-signing players who provide valuable depth and have the potential to contribute at the NHL level in the future. However, they won't hesitate to move on from players who haven't shown enough progress or don't fit their long-term plans.

With a significant amount of cap space and a strong desire to contend for the Stanley Cup, expect the Hurricanes to be active in free agency. They'll be looking to add impact players who can complement their existing core and help them take the next step towards a championship.