Hurricanes season preview: Burns, Kotkaniemi expected to play big roles

The 2022-23 NHL season starts Oct. 7. With training camps opening soon, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Carolina Hurricanes.

Coach: Rod Brind'Amour (fifth season)
Last season: 54-20-8, first in Metropolitan Division; lost to New York Rangers in Eastern Conference Second Round

3 KEYS

1. Impact of Burns
Brent Burns was acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on July 13 and likely will play on the top defense pair with Jaccob Slavin. Burns had 54 points (10 goals, 44 assists) and was third in the NHL averaging 26:09 in ice time in 82 games last season. He has also played 679 consecutive games.
The 37-year-old also should help the power play; he had 18 points with the man-advantage last season and could fill the production left by Tony DeAngelo, who led Carolina defensemen with 20 power-play points but was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on July 7.
2. Repeat performance from the goalies?
Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta were a huge reason for the Hurricanes success last season. Andersen was 35-14-3 in 52 games, and was second in the NHL in goals-against average (2.17) and tied for third in save percentage (.922) among goalies to play at least 25 games. Raanta was 15-5-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .912 save percentage in 28 games. They won the Jennings Trophy after Carolina allowed the fewest goals in the NHL (200).
But can they play at that same level again? Andersen, 32, missed the playoffs with a torn MCL in his knee after injuries limited him to 24 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020-21, and Raanta had his lowest GAA since 2017-18 with the Arizona Coyotes (2.24).
3. Kotkaniemi taking next step
Jesperi Kotkaniemi signed an eight-year contract March 21, and the 22-year-old forward will look to play more of a significant role after he had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 66 games last season. He played throughout the lineup but could start as the second-line center after Vincent Trocheck signed with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent.
Kotkaniemi has never had more than 12 goals or 34 points in his four NHL seasons and had two assists in 14 playoff games last season, but expectations will be high, especially after the new contract.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut
The Hurricanes should have an opening for a fourth-line forward and a few players likely will be in the mix. Lane Pederson, 25, who was acquired in the Burns trade, had two assists in 29 games last season and has five points (one goal, four assists) in 44 NHL games could have the edge. But if the Hurricanes decide to go younger, they could turn to 22-year-old Jack Drury, who played his first two NHL games last season and scored a goal in each. On defense,
Jake Gardiner
is healthy after not playing last season following hip and back surgeries, and could play on the third pair or be the seventh defenseman.
Most intriguing addition
Paul Stastny signed a one-year contract Aug. 23 and it will be interesting to see where he fits in the lineup. The 36-year-old forward had 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 71 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season and is a seven-time 20-goal scorer. He brings a veteran presence to the forward group, with 800 points (284 goals, 516 assists) in 1,072 regular-season games during 16 NHL seasons and has played in 103 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He could begin the season on the third line but is capable of playing a top-six role if needed.
Biggest potential surprise
Ondrej Kase has been limited to 53 games the past two seasons because of injuries, but if he can stay healthy, the forward should get plenty of opportunities to contribute. With forward Max Pacioretty likely out for the first half of the season after Achilles surgery, Kase could step up. The 26-year-old, who signed a one-year contract July 13, had 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 50 regular-season games and three assists in seven playoff games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season.
Ready to break through
With DeAngelo traded and Ian Cole (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Brendan Smith (New Jersey Devils) signing elsewhere as free agents, Ethan Bear could be in line for more ice time. The defenseman had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 58 games last season but his average ice time of 16:05 was his fewest in four NHL seasons. He's never had more than five goals or 21 points in a season, but could top those numbers with more ice time this season.
Fantasy sleeper
Kotkaniemi, C/LW (undrafted on average in fantasy) -- He was tied for second on the Hurricanes in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes last season (1.02; minimum 10 games), and should see a bigger role with the departure of Trocheck. Kotkaniemi is a fantasy breakout candidate with potential exposure to valuable wing Andrei Svechnikov. -- Pete Jensen

PROJECTED LINEUP

Andrei Svechnikov -- Sebastian Aho -- Seth Jarvis
Martin Necas -- Jesperi Kotkaniemi -- Teuvo Teravainen
Paul Stastny -- Jordan Staal -- Jesper Fast
Jordan Martinook -- Lane Pederson -- Ondrej Kase
Jaccob Slavin -- Brent Burns
Brady Skjei -- Brett Pesce
Ethan Bear -- Dylan Coghlan
Frederik Andersen
Antti Raanta
Injured:Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles)
Photo:courtesy Mackenzie Friedman/Carolina Hurricanes