With few forwards under contract for the next season, a one-year deal was announced on Friday to re-sign a young scorer that could start in Chicago's Top 6.
It's unclear how close the Canes were to pulling this off, and while it didn't happen, it's fun to think about what Laine as a Hurricane could've looked like.
The Canes' home opener was known already, so the next natural step was learning what the remainder of their schedule looked like, which we got on Thursday.
Needing a regulation win to clinch the final spot in the Eastern Conference on April 9, 2011, the Canes saw their playoff dreams swept away in Game #82.
The 2026-27 Opening Night matchups were released on Wednesday, and of all the contests listed, there's a fight in Raleigh that is sure to turn some heads.
Leading the Southeast with less than two months to go, the Canes were passed by the Capitals and left out of the playoffs, creating another big "What if?"
The Canes missed out on the top pick in 2003 despite owning the NHL's worst record, but what if the outcome of that lottery drawing had gone their way?
Beginning a fun week of alternate history scenarios, we tackle our first by asking what if the Hurricanes' run had seen them face four different opponents?
While the rumor mill has been swirling for weeks, the Canes have remained quiet, but they could chance that by pursuing a move of some kind with Detroit.