-Gabriel Dorris-

As free-agency approaches, the Canes find themselves in position to potentially lose key defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei. Although those players may still be re-signed, if they aren’t the Canes may have to turn to free-agency to find their replacements. This article is a follow-up to this article on potential free-agency forwards.

Christopher Tanev (DAL)

The Canes are already home to the best defensive defenseman in the NHL, Jaccob Slavin, and if the Canes were to add Chris Tanev, they’d be bringing another top-10 defensive D-man to Raleigh. Tanev, a right defenseman, would likely serve as a replacement for UFA Brett Pesce. The biggest risk with bringing in Tanev is his age. Tanev is 34, so teams will be gunning to give him an Orlov-type deal with short term at a high AAV. The Canes do have the cap to make this work, but it would come in the form of sacrifices to their forward depth. Still, if Chris Tanev is interested in coming to Carolina, they’re a team to watch out for.

Player details: 6′ 2″, 197lbs, 34yrs old, right defenseman

2023-24 stat line: 2G and 17A for 19P in 75GP

Potential contract: 2yrs x $5m

Nikita Zadorov (VAN)

Zadorov is a 6′ 6″ beast of a human who is shockingly fast for his size. He’s a more defensive defenseman, although any given year you shouldn’t be surprised to see him put up 20 points or 5 goals. Zadorov can play both sides and would be a solid replacement for Skjei or Pesce on the Cane’s second pair. He has had injury struggles in his past, but has played at least 70 games for 3 straight years now, so that isn’t a huge risk. He’s a heavy hitter (22nd among all Dmen last season) and a playoff performer (8pts in 13 playoff games for the Canucks last season), so in that realm he’d be a great fit for a team that’s faltered in the playoffs a few years straight now. The main concern with Zadorov is his price, but if the Canes are willing to spend, he’d be a great fit.

Player details: 6′ 6″, 235lbs, 29yrs old, right and left defenseman

2023-24 stat line: 6G and 14A for 20P in 75GP

Potential contract: 6yrs x $5m

Brandon Montour (FLA)

A stalwart of Florida’s first defensive pairing and PP1 unit for much of the 2023-24 NHL season, Montour would be a solid fit on the Cane’s powerplay and top 4. He consistently earns a majority of both expected goals and actual goals at 5v5. Montour, a right defenseman, would be a Brett Pesce replacement and probably a small upgrade. Overall, if there is mutual interest I would not be surprised to see Montour start next year in a Canes’ jersey.

Player details: 6′ 0″, 199lbs, 30yrs old, right defenseman

2023-24 stat line: 11G and 24A for 35P in 80GP

Potential contract: 5yrs x $6.5m