Hurricanes, Svechnikov begin discussing extension

The Carolina Hurricanes have opened contract talks with talented forward Andrei Svechnikov, general manager Don Waddell confirmed Thursday.

"We started talking," Waddell said. "Andrei's got another year left on his contract, but we have this time in our favor right now ... Our goal is to keep Andrei here for a very long time. Saying that, with the economics the way they are right now around the league, it might make sense to do a bridge deal."

Waddell emphasized the team intends to secure Svechnikov's services, regardless of the contract terms.

"I think the player definitely wants to be here," the GM added. "His representation's been very forthright about that (and) we obviously want Andrei here. So we're keeping it open-minded. There's no timetable if this happens two weeks from now or two months from now, but one way or another, there's no doubt that we'll sign Andrei at some point to some kind of extension."

Svechnikov is entering the final year of the rookie pact he inked with the club in 2018. He'll be a pending restricted free agent beyond that point without a new deal. The 20-year-old winger ranked second on the Hurricanes with 24 goals and third with 61 points in 68 games this past season.

He also captivated the hockey world with a pair of lacrosse-style goals less than two months apart early in the campaign.

The Hurricanes could have some big decisions to make heading into 2021-22, when defenseman Dougie Hamilton, as well as goaltenders Petr Mrazek and James Reimer, could become UFAs.