The Carolina Hurricanes could soon be a cap team ... weird, right?

The Hurricanes have been one of the most interesting teams of the summer. They went out and found themselves a more dependable netminder in Scott Darling, brought back proven winner Justin Williams, and made it a priority to lock up their budding young stars, handing out extensions to defensemen Jaccob Slavin (seven years, $37.1 million) and Brett Pesce (six years, $24.15 million).

On paper, both deals could be bargains if the duo continues to develop at their current pace, but with all the money given out by Ron Francis and Co. this offseason, the team could be in a bit of a cap conundrum come 2019.

As it stands now, the Hurricanes will have just over $26 million in cap space heading into the 2018-19 season, which is a nice chunk of change, but as always, there will be free agents in need of new contracts.

The most notable players who will need to be paid after next season are Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.

This is where the deals for Slavin and Pesce could come back to bite the Hurricanes. Slavin will be making an average of $5.3 million per season, while Pesce will earn $4.025 million annually.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Based on those salaries, Hanifin could command at least $4 million per season on his deal. After all, the 2015 first-round pick produces at a similar offensive clip as Slavin and at a higher rate than Pesce, while only Justin Faulk tallies more power-play points among Carolina blue-liners.

As for Lindholm, over the past three seasons he has tallied 39 goals and 123 points, tied for third-most on the Hurricanes during that span, while hitting a career-high 45 points this past year. He's tallied the second-most power-play points in that stretch, seven game-winning goals, and a 53.18 percent Corsi For rating.

So, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for Lindholm to command at least $4 million per season as well.

Having both Hanifin and Lindholm presumably making $4 million per season would leave the Hurricanes with just $18 million for the rest of their pending free agents.

Here are the other players who need to get paid after next season:

Even if Stempniak, Ward, and other fringe players walk or go unsigned, there are still positions that need to be filled, with only $18 million in which to be spread around.

The potential saving grace to this looming cap crunch is that Carolina still has some high-end prospects that could slide into the lineup on entry-level deals such as Jake Bean, Haydn Fleury, and Julien Gauthier.

In the meantime, the Hurricanes will take to the 2017-18 campaign with the hopes of taking a big jump in the standings and potentially making the postseason for the first time since 2009. A successful season would undoubtedly make the team feel better about spending big to keep its core together well into the future.

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A move from Denver to Las Vegas means Calvin Pickard needs a new look.

The former Colorado Avalanche goaltender, who was snapped up by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft, is inviting his new supporters to put their artistic skills to work in designing his next mask.

"All I really want to see is some creativity. Knights, horses, castles, dragons? Drawbridges? I'm open," Pickard wrote on the Golden Knights' website. "I might even take different elements of different people's suggestions and combine them and turn them over to my artist. Although if someone really knocks it out of the park with one sketch, I might do that, too."

Fans can enter the contest through the team's official website. The winning entry will be given the opportunity to take a picture with Pickard.

While it's unknown how much ice time Pickard will see next season behind expected starter Marc-Andre Fleury, fans of the Golden Knights should get at least a few opportunities to witness the winning design.

The Golden Knights' first home game comes Oct. 10 against the Arizona Coyotes.

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The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year extension worth $17.25 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal will see Granlund carry a $5.75-million cap hit, with the bigger payouts coming in the later years of the deal:

Granlund led the Wild in scoring last season, producing 26 goals and 43 assists in 81 games.

Minnesota originally selected the Finland native with the ninth overall pick in 2010. He has appeared in 321 NHL games, recording 57 goals and 144 assists.

Granlund's signing comes two days after the Wild signed fellow forward Nino Niederreiter to a five-year extension.

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The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Brett Pesce to a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4.025 million, general manager Ron Francis announced Tuesday.

Pesce, 22, will play out the final season of his entry-level contract in 2017-18, meaning his $24.15-million extension won't begin to count against the Hurricanes' cap until the following campaign.

Like Jaccob Slavin, who signed a seven-year, $37.1-million extension in July, Pesce is another under-the-radar Carolina blue-liner who Francis believes will play a key role in the Hurricanes' progression.

"Brett took another big step forward last season," Francis said. "He plays a smart defensive game and has good ability to move the puck and contribute offensively. We plan for him to be a part of the Hurricanes’ defensive corps for a long time."

Pesce was chosen by the Hurricanes in the third round (66th overall) in 2013, and in 2016-17, he suited up in all 82 games, recording two goals and 18 assists. However, his contributions go further than the scoresheet, as he averaged 21:12 per game and owned a 53.8 Corsi For percentage.

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Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is making headway in selling the franchise.

There are reportedly 11-12 groups of prospective owners interested in buying the team, according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.

Among the groups is one led by former Texas Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg. Karmanos "likes" Greenberg, Alexander notes, and is apparently giving him time to put together his group.

"Once (Greenberg) has done that, we'll examine whether his offer cuts the mustard," Karmanos said.

It was reported on July 13 that Greenberg was close to purchasing the Hurricanes for $500 million, but Karmanos noted if he has to wait, the price may rise to $550 million or $600 million if the Canes have a successful season.

Karmanos reportedly has a term sheet in place to sell the team, but there's still no purchase agreement.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins' signing of winger Conor Sheary on Sunday signified yet another undrafted player making his presence known at the NHL level - a trend that's become more common due to the talent level of players joining the league via more unconventional avenues.

Related: Sheary's new deal highlights 'whirlwind' career

Here are the top five undrafted players currently making an impact in the NHL:

5. Cam Talbot - Edmonton Oilers

When Talbot posted a .926 save percentage and 2.21 goals-against average in relief of New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the 2014-15 season, experts around the NHL knew it wouldn't be long until this undrafted free agent earned a starting job.

Fast forward to today, and Talbot is not only one of the best goalies in the game, but also Edmonton's bona fide No. 1. Last season, he finished tied for the most wins in the league with 42, carrying the Oilers to the postseason for the first time in more than a decade.

From playing Division I NCAA hockey in Alabama to being the starting goalie on one of the NHL's most storied franchises, Talbot's undrafted journey was long and difficult.

He'll be counted on next year to carry the Oilers even deeper.

4. Mark Giordano - Calgary Flames

The lone rearguard on the list deserves a lot more credit than he usually receives.

In addition to being the Flames' captain, Giordano is also an excellent teammate, leader, and community figure, taking home the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award at the 2017 ESPYs.

On the ice, he's everything you want in a defenseman.

Since he joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2008, the 33-year-old Toronto native has been the Flames' most consistent D-man. He logs heavy minutes (career average of 22:05 per game) and puts up solid plus-minus numbers (career plus-55), while also contributing offensively.

In 11 seasons with Calgary, Giordano has registered 340 points in 673 regular-season games, making the fact he's an undrafted player even more puzzling.

3. Mats Zuccarello - New York Rangers

Despite being limited by a few serious injuries, including a cracked skull and a fractured hand, Zuccarello has been an effective offensive weapon for the Blueshirts.

Over 383 career regular-season games with New York, Zuccarello tallied 86 goals and 176 points while serving as a key contributor on the Rangers' top power-play unit. Since the 2013-14 season, he has 55 points on the man advantage.

Speed, skill, and a knack for producing when it matters most (31 points in 60 career playoff games) make Zuccarello one of the best undrafted NHLers in the game today.

2. Artemi Panarin - Columbus Blue Jackets

A talented Russian whose path to the league was very similar to the player's below, Panarin was passed over in the 2010 draft and also began his career in the KHL.

Since joining the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014, he put together two stellar offensive seasons while playing on a line with Patrick Kane. The duo displayed immediate chemistry, leading to Panarin racking up 61 goals and 90 assists for 151 points in only 162 games.

Producing at an almost point-per-game pace is an impressive feat, especially for a player who was initially deemed too small and soft to hang with the NHL's big boys.

Panarin's offensive gifts make him a lock for this list.

1. Sergei Bobrovsky - Columbus Blue Jackets

For a guy who initially plied his trade in the KHL, Bobrovsky has been nothing short of sensational since signing with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010. A 40-win season, 19 shutouts, and two Vezina Trophies later, and Bob has played his way to being one of the top goaltenders in the league.

Last season was especially stingy for the 28-year-old Russian. He led the NHL in both GAA (2.06) and save percentage (.931), while also registering an impressive seven shutouts.

Bobrovsky was passed over in the 2006 draft, but, given his most recent numbers, it's clear he should have been in the NHL from the jump.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Strip clubs and professional hockey. It's a match made in Las Vegas heaven, right?

According to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski, Crazy Horse III, a popular Vegas strip club, will welcome hockey fans to watch and cheer on the first major pro sports team in the history of the city.

Here's a statement from the establishment:

In celebration of the first professional team in Las Vegas, the Vegas Knights, the award-winning gentlemen's club will unveil game-day specials, including a "Bucks for Pucks" deal, offering $1 admission for any guests arriving via their own transportation. ...

Throughout the season, guests with a game-day ticket stub to a home game will receive a complimentary drink. Sports fans can take in all the hockey action amidst the club's massive 70-inch and 100-inch HD televisions.

The Golden Knights have no official affiliation with the strip club or its viewing parties, but we have a feeling that won't stop local hockey fans from enjoying the action - the on-ice action, of course.

Vegas hosts its inaugural home opener Oct. 12 against the Arizona Coyotes.

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Longtime NHL defenseman Mike Komisarek is about to get his first crack at coaching.

The Buffalo Sabres hired Komisarek as a player development coach, the team announced Tuesday.

The 35-year-old brings a wealth of NHL experience with him, having logged 551 career games split between the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and, most recently, the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013-14.

He was the definition of a stay-at-home defenseman - never recording more than 19 points in a season - but was widely considered one of the game's best penalty killers, largely due to his hulking 6-foot-4 frame.

Given that the Sabres had the sixth-worst penalty kill in the league last season, it's possible Komisarek's expertise could start paying dividends immediately.

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