3 Bold Predictions for Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 Season

The Carolina Hurricanes lost their first game of the 2024-25 season, but there's still 81 more to go, as they try to reach their goal of winning the Stanley Cup this season. The Hurricanes had to re-tool on the fly thanks to a slew of free agents skipping town, but their roster is still loaded with high-end talent and a motivational leader in head coach Rod Brind'Amour.

It's going to be a big year ahead in Carolina, here's three bold predictions for this season:

Seth Jarvis Leads the 'Canes in Scoring

Sebastian Aho led Carolina in scoring last season, posting 89 points in 78 games. Jarvis finished 2023-24 with 67 points in 81 games. This season - Jarvis leap frogs Aho and leads the team in scoring. After signing a long-term extension, and with the departure of Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen, Jarvis will see an uptick in his ice time, and with that, and his natural ability to produce offense, expect Jarvis to have a huge year ahead. If there was an all star game this season, Jarvis would be a prime candidate, we'll have to wait and see if Team Canada takes a look at him for the 4 Nations Faceoff. 

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Gets Traded

After signing Kotkaniemi to an offer sheet, then extended him on a long-term deal, the Hurricanes have be disappointed with the Finnish forward to this point of his tenure. Last season in 79 games, the former third-overall pick posted only 27 points. He's owed $4.8 million the next three seasons and Kotkaniemi's no-trade clause doesn't kick in until 2026-27. While they'd be selling low, there's a very good chance if Kotkaniemi doesn't get back on track this season, he'll be on the trade block come March.

Pyotr Kochetkov Becomes Starting Goaltender

Frederik Andersen has a long history of injury troubles and Kochetkov's been given a long-term extension in Carolina to eventually take over the crease. It's coming this season. Look for Kochetkov to start in tandem and work his way up to taking over as the starter. For the rest of this season, and for the next few years ahead.

photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images