Overview
- Carolina signed Mike Reilly on Thursday to a one-year, two-way contract that pays $850,000 at the NHL level and $450,000 at the AHL level.
- Reilly spent 2025-26 as the Hurricanes’ seventh defenseman, appearing in 42 regular-season games with one goal and eight assists and recording two assists in two playoff games.
- The deal represents a pay cut from the $1.1 million Reilly was owed last season and signals the team’s emphasis on affordable veteran depth after a season hampered by blue-line injuries.
- Restricted free agent Alexander Nikishin remains unsigned and has been linked to trade interest, with reports saying Carolina has roughly $8.18 million of cap space while Nikishin’s camp is seeking more than $8 million per year.
- With the roster still being finalized ahead of the Sept. 29 banner-raising and season opener, Reilly’s return gives Carolina flexibility to cover injuries and to weigh whether to extend, trade, or retain Nikishin.