Andersen, Raanta want to return for Hurricanes next season

RALEIGH, N.C. --Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta each expressed his desire to return to the Carolina Hurricanes next season.

Each veteran goalie can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

"Absolutely, I really like it here," Andersen said Friday, two days after Carolina was swept by the Florida Panthers in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Final. "I hope we can get something done. Anywhere from a year or more, I'm interested in. Definitely my priority is to be back here, but we will see where it goes. I think this run showed we have a lot of care in our culture here and the way we play for each other."

Andersen went 21-11-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 34 regular-season games (33 starts) this season. The 33-year-old was 5-3 with a 1.83 GAA and .927 save percentage in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games (eight starts).

Raanta was 19-3-3 with a 2.23 GAA and .910 save percentage in 27 regular-season games (26 starts). The 34-year-old went 3-3 with a 2.48 GAA and .909 save percentage in six playoff games (all starts).

"Being part of this team for two years now and seeing how close we got this year, that's something you hope to be a part of," Raanta said. "I felt good this year. I think I played pretty well. We'll see what happens in the summertime. It's something easier said than done."

Injuries have been an issue for both goalies during their two seasons in Carolina. Andersen missed 29 regular-season games this season with a lower-body injury and missed the entire playoffs in 2022 with a lower-body injury when the Hurricanes lost in seven games to the New York Rangers in the second round.

But the two have been among the best combinations in the NHL when healthy. In 2021-22 they won the William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the team whose goalies allow the fewest goals during the regular season.

"The NHL has evolved so much that it's a quicker game, faster game," Andersen said. "That puts a lot more stress on goalies. It's about just managing and being sharp for that one game and recovering for the next one. I think me and 'Rants' had a really good relationship to just help each other out. I thought we both had two good years so far, and hopefully more."

The Hurricanes also have 23-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov, who is 15-7-5 with a 2.43 GAA, a .908 save percentage and four shutouts in 27 games (25 starts) over two NHL seasons. He is signed through the 2026-27 season.

Carolina center Jordan Staal just completed a 10-year, $60 million contract ($6 million average annual value) and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The 34-year-old chose not to seek a new contract after last season, preferring to play out his existing deal.

"I don't plan on going anywhere," said Staal, the Hurricanes captain. "I'm not sure on the numbers or the details. Whatever kind of helps the team moving forward with the (NHL salary) cap and stuff like that, we'll find something that works for both parties."

Staal had 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 81 games this season, then had eight points (two goals, six assists) in 15 playoff games.

"I've been here long enough (11 seasons) and there's no reason to leave," he said. "I love this organization. It's so much fun, and [I'm] so blessed to be part of this as long as I have. And the way it's headed, I want to finish my career out here."

Forwards Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast are also pending unrestricted free agents.

Forward Sebastian Aho is entering the final season of a five-year, $42.27 million contract ($8.454 million AAV). He was second on the Hurricanes with 67 points (36 goals, 31 assists) this season (Martin Necas, 71) after leading them in scoring the previous five seasons. Aho had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 15 playoff games, tying Jordan Martinook for the team scoring lead.

"I'd like to be here, so we'll see," the 25-year-old said. "I haven't [thought] about it at all."

Aho was still feeling the sting of Carolina's exit from the playoffs. He mentioned the loss of top-six forwards Andrei Svechnikov (knee surgery) and Max Pacioretty (Achilles), who were not available in the playoffs for the Hurricanes, who finished first in the Metropolitan Division this season (52-21-9).

"Those two guys are elite players in this league," Aho said. "I think we did a really, really good job adjusting and having that next-man-up mentality. We didn't give ourselves excuses. It's obvious now that we missed them quite a bit there.

"We had a chance to win it all. I feel like we were right there. It will take time until it fades away. The good thing is, we're going to be a good team for a long time."