Carolina fans have been on the edge of their seat this offseason, waiting for Seth Jarvis’s contract extension. The forward is currently a restricted free agent (RFA), meaning the Carolina Hurricanes have exclusive negotiating rights with him. Theoretically, if Jarvis does not like the qualifying offer he received from the Canes, he could be talking contracts with other teams. However, the general manager of the team, Eric Tulsky, said, “He wants to be here forever. We want him here forever. We just have to agree on what the right number is.”
Courtesy of Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images
It seems that both Jarvis and the Canes want to sign him to an eight-year deal, but the question is at what cost? Some believe that he could receive a contract worth upwards of $8 million AAV. The issue with that number is that Carolina only has a cap space of $6.44 million after they re-signed forward Martin Necas. For that contract to happen, the team would need to open cap space by moving around their roster, whether that’s sending players to the AHL or trading to other teams. Another solution would be for the Canes to sign him to a shorter contract worth less right now and then extend him again with a larger contract in a year or two.
The Hurricanes have had to make many tough decisions this offseason since so many of their players’ contracts ended. Carolina lost Jake Guentzel to Tampa, Brady Skjei to the Nashville Predators, Brett Pesce to New Jersey, and more. So it’s important that the Canes were able to keep Martin Necas, Jaccob Slavin, and hopefully Seth Jarvis.
Courtesy of Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images
Last year, Jarvis had his breakthrough season, tallying career-bests with 33 goals and 34 assists for 67 points over 81 regular-season games, as well as 115 hits and a +23 rating. Additionally, he led the team with 13 power-play goals and tied for first with two shorthanded goals, proving that he is effective on the power play and as a penalty killer.
What came as a surprise to fans at the end of the season was that Jarvis had been suffering an injury almost the entire season. Around 15 games into the season, the forward tore his right labrum and rotator cuff but continued to play through it the rest of the year, never complaining. He also had a broken finger during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs that he played through. Jarvis exemplified the hockey culture of “not letting them know you’re hurt.” His ability to endure these injuries and perform his best despite them shows that he is a team player and has further potential that the Canes can capitalize on if they give him a worthy contract.
Edited by Breanna Ebisch
Comentarios