Workrate Hockey - July 3, 2026

I scratched Tuesday's newsletter because I didn't have a lot to talk about - I'm not a prospect guy (go check out Canes Prospects or Matt Somma who know more about the draft than I do) and I wanted to focus more on the upcoming beginning of free agency. I wasn't expecting much from the Canes - the team doesn't really have holes that free agency is meant to fill, but the opportunity for possibly a trade or two, especially with the rumored talk around Connor Hellebuyck and Zach Werenski swirling and rumored contract issues and dissatisfaction with his role from Alexander Nikishin meant that GM Eric Tulsky wasn't going to be resting this week, and I'd have plenty to write about.

I was wrong. Well, at least about the second part. Tulsky reportedly put Nikishin on the market, where there were many teams interested, as they should be. At the same time, he reached out to Columbus about Werenski's availability, while also taking a preemptive strike by trading for the UFA rights of longtime Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks for a 6th round pick in the 2026 draft, which raised some eyebrows. Carlson, who turned 36 in January, is a right shot offensive defenseman who is one of the best at running a power play, and signing Carlson would have definitely shaken up the defensive corps. Carlson would have likely paired with Slavin on a top line, but where it would go from there led to questions - would Nikishin end up getting shipped off? Could Chatfield (who only has one year remaining on his contract) get pushed out? Does the team sell high on Gostisbehere? So many possibilities.