Hurricanes Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Medal Haul, Bussi Extension, Rumor Mill and More – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

Here are the key storylines surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes and a look at their upcoming schedule as the NHL resumes play following the 2026 Winter Olympics break.

Olympic Medal Haul

The biggest storyline heading back into NHL play is the success of Hurricanes players at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Jaccob Slavin secured a gold medal with Team USA following a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Team Canada. Seth Jarvis took home silver for the Canadians, while Sebastian Aho captured bronze with Team Finland.

Brandon Bussi’s Extension

During the Olympic break, the Hurricanes locked down rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi with a three-year, $5.7 million contract extension ($1.9M average annual value/AAV). Bussi has been a revelation in the crease, posting an 8-2-0 record in his last 10 starts before the break and ending the first half of the season with a shutout against the New York Rangers.

The Looming Trade Deadline

The NHL Olympic roster freeze has officially lifted, and general manager (GM) Eric Tulsky is expected to be aggressive ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. After missing out on Artemi Panarin (who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings), rumors suggest the front office is heavily scouting the market for a second-line center to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run.

Speculation abounds, and unsubstantiated rumors have linked the Canes to almost everyone purported to be on the market, from former players Dougie Hamilton and Jeff Skinner, to Bobby McMann of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames and Patrik Laine of the Montreal Canadiens.

Top of the East

The Hurricanes are entering the post-break part of the season as one of the best teams in the NHL. They currently hold a 36-15-6 record and were riding a 10-game point streak before the break, sitting tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Upcoming Schedule

The Hurricanes’ schedule resumes with high stakes right out of the gate. Coming off a two-week pause, their first matchup on Feb. 26 is a heavyweight clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning—the exact team they are currently tied with for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. After a home game against the Detroit Red Wings, they will immediately head to the West Coast to kick off a multi-game road trip starting in Seattle.

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