The team agreed to terms with forwards David and Jason Cotton on entry-level contracts, the Hurricanes announced Tuesday.
"David and Jason both had very productive senior seasons this year," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. "We've been pleased with David's progress over his four years at Boston College, and his brother Jason was recently named a Hobey Baker Award finalist. We're excited to see what they can accomplish at the professional level."
David, 22, signed a two-year contract that will pay $700,000 in 2020-21 and $832,500 in 2021-22 at the NHL level. He posted 15 goals and 39 points in his senior year at Boston College while serving as the team's captain. He was originally selected by the Hurricanes in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Jason, 25, signed a one-year contract for the 2020-21 season that will pay $700,000 at the NHL level. He was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist after recording 20 goals and 37 points with Sacred Heart University this season. He also served as his team's captain and was named the Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year.
With the NHL season on an indefinite hiatus due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, let's take a look back at some of the best moments the 2019-20 campaign has offered fans so far.
5. Zibanejad enjoys 5-goal night
New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad quietly found himself on pace for a career-best season entering March with 30 goals and 32 assists. However, he took things to another level when the Washington Capitals visited Madison Square Garden on March 5.
Zibanejad got the Rangers on the board in the first period and was determined to find twine many more times. He added another tally in the second and two goals in the third - including what appeared to be the game-winner with less than two minutes remaining. After Alex Ovechkin tied it up with 43 seconds left, Zibanejad had no choice but to secure the win in overtime with his fifth of the contest.
In a single game, Zibanejad vaulted himself into the conversation for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Not regularly acknowledged for his goal-scoring abilities, Zibanejad absolutely torching one of the league's top teams was a treat for all hockey fans.
4. The Battle of Alberta renewed
The 2019-20 season has breathed new life into the Battle of Alberta. Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian were involved in several altercations in a Jan. 11 contest. Kassian ultimately decided he had seen enough of Tkachuk's antics late in the second period and proceeded to grab and pummel his adversary, which resulted in a two-game suspension.
With high-octane offenses on display and bad blood brewing, the Albertan rivals were once again battling it out for provincial bragging rights.
Calgary and Edmonton met in the playoffs five times between 1983 and 1991 but haven't matched up in the postseason since. The Oilers currently sit in second place and the Flames in third in the Pacific Division. It puts them on course for a first playoff meeting in nearly 30 years, though the status of the this season's playoffs is unknown.
3. Ryan tallies touching hat trick
After taking a leave of absence in November to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, Bobby Ryan returned to the Ottawa Senators' lineup in late February.
In his first home game since returning, he pulled off a feat straight out of a movie. Despite scoring just once in 17 games leading up to a Feb. 27 matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, Ryan recorded an inspirational hat trick. He became visibly emotional as the crowd showered him with cheers after he completed his three-goal night with an empty-netter.
Bobby Ryan fighting back tears on the bench after recording a hat trick in his return to Ottawa and receiving a massive ovation from the fans pic.twitter.com/lpVpDSh7J1
After struggling on and off the ice, Ryan provided one of the season's most feel-good moments.
2. Ovi joins 700-goal club
Alex Ovechkin reminded everyone that he can still score with ease, potting 14 goals in seven contests between January and February. But he endured something of a cold streak as he approached a big milestone. Sitting just two markers shy of No. 700, Ovechkin went five straight games without recording a goal. But Ovi never goes long without his scoring touch.
With the 700th tally of his illustrious career against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 22, Ovechkin earned his spot in yet another record book. He still celebrates each goal like it's his first.
1. What emergency?
It began as a regular Saturday night in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs taking on the Carolina Hurricanes. But after Canes goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazek both left the game with injuries, the team was forced to call in the emergency goaltender midway through the second period. Intrigue sparked throughout the league as David Ayres put his uniform on - and then the unimaginable happened.
The 42-year-old Zamboni driver for the AHL's Toronto Marlies stepped onto the ice and took the Hurricanes' crease. With Carolina up 3-1, Ayres, visibly uncomfortable, let in a pair of goals on the first two shots he faced. It seemed the Leafs were about to pour it on, but the Hurricanes had other plans.
Ayres settled down, stopping the next eight shots he faced. Assisted by the Hurricanes' resolute defensive work, Ayres led his new team to victory and earned himself a spot in the record books as the first emergency goaltender to win an NHL game.
The story of David Ayres reached far beyond the sport, as he found himself making an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." He single-handedly sent the hockey world into a frenzy and left Maple Leafs fans reeling in one of the most bizarre, heartwarming, and coolest moments we've seen for quite a while in the NHL.
Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask isn't sure about what he wants to do once his contract is up.
"I have one year left in the contract, so we'll see if I even play," Rask said, according to the Boston Globe's Matt Porter. "We'll see. Always a possibility."
Rask has split time with Jaroslav Halak over the last two campaigns. The latter's future with the club is unclear, as he'll turn 35 in May and is set for free agency at season's end. Rask, meanwhile, will play out his eight-year, $56-million contract next year.
When asked if he could return to his native Finland, the 33-year-old confirmed playing overseas isn't in his plans.
"No, no, I wouldn't. ... Family time." Rask said.
He added, "Just be home. The wear and tear of the travel with two, almost three kids now, makes you think. I love to do it. But itβs tough.β
Rask ranks first among goaltenders with a 2.12 goals-against average and second with a .929 save percentage this season. He's appeared in 41 games while Halak has played 31.
The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner has suited up in 536 games since debuting during the 2007-08 season. He's amassed a 291-158-64 record alongside a 2.26 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. He was a part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup-winning team in 2011.
With their sport on an indefinite pause and everyone in self-quarantine or practicing social distancing, NHL players are starting to get creative with their sudden abundance of free time. Here's a look at what some players have shared on social media to date.
Sergei Bobrovsky
The Florida Panthers netminder kept his glove hand ready while taking in some sun.
Cal Clutterbuck praised childcare workers and teachers and demonstrated his dad skills in the process.
After 8 days at home with his kids, Cal Clutterbuck would like to send a shoutout to all the childcare workers and teachers out there. π (watch until the end π) pic.twitter.com/EaCldmj2oM
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is looking for fans to play video games with him while he streams on Twitch.
Starting next week Iβm going to start a stream and invite you guys to come and play online with me! Follow me here https://t.co/K2f0p9YIVX and stay tuned!
"It's quite an honor, I'd have to say," Sullivan told SN590's "Hockey Central" on Wednesday. "He's a privilege to coach. β¦ It makes my job easy when our best player and the best player of his generation is the hardest-working guy and the most driven guy on the ice, and off the ice, for that matter."
Sullivan added, "He for me epitomizes an athlete that controls everything within his power to be his very best. And when you have a guy like that on your team and he's your captain and the best player in the game, it certainly makes the coach's job a whole lot easier."
Sullivan joined the Penguins as head coach in December 2015 and went on to win the Stanley Cup the same season. He then led the Penguins to a second consecutive Cup victory.
Crosby took home the Conn Smythe Trophy both years, recording a total of 14 goals and 46 points across both playoff runs.
When asked whether he believes Crosby will become a coach, Sullivan said yes.
"If he wanted to be a coach, I think he would be a terrific coach because he is such a student of the game," Sullivan said. "That's something that I think would be a personal decision from his standpoint, but if he does choose to go down that path, I think he would be terrific at it.
"It wouldn't surprise me one bit when Sid's done playing the game somewhere down the line, but I don't see that happening anytime soon because he loves the game as much as he does."
Crosby, who turns 33 this summer, has had one of the league's most illustrious careers to date. He owns two Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard Trophies, and has been awarded the Stanley Cup three times. He's racked up 462 goals and 1,263 points in 984 career regular-season games.
After leading the Badgers in scoring as a freshman this past season, Caufield reportedly told his coach, Tony Granato, that he intends to suit up in his sophomore campaign.
"When they're not ready (for the NHL), they're better off staying to give themselves a better chance of when they get there, they can stay there," Granato said. "Working through the hurdles, working through some of the things that we worked through this year, individually and as a team, are experiences and battles that you have to have to get ready for an NHL season."
Caufield, 19, was selected 15th overall by the Canadiens in the 2019 draft. He recorded 19 goals and 36 points in 36 games during his freshman season at Wisconsin.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in February that he thought Caufield should remain in the NCAA next season to continue his development.
Two of Caufield's teammates from this past season have already made their decisions to leave and ink pro contracts. K'Andre Miller signed with the New York Rangers and Alex Turcotte joined the Los Angeles Kings after the Badgers' season concluded on March 8.
Teams have been informed that the four-recall rule regularly implemented after the trade deadline will continue to apply if the season resumes, Johnston added.
The AHL, meanwhile, announced Monday it has advised its teams that the indefinite suspension of games will not be lifted before May. All AHL players are being recommended to return to their home facilities.
News of the roster freeze follows the league's Monday announcement that play is unlikely to resume in the coming weeks. It could be about 45 days until the league ramps up hockey activities for teams. The NHL also announced that players can now leave their respective clubs' cities to return home if they wish, and must self-quarantine until at least March 27.
Some players have started to make plans to return to their home countries. The Vancouver Canucks' Jacob Markstrom and Elias Pettersson, for example, are expected to return to Sweden, according to Postmedia's Ben Kuzma.
The KHL will pause its Gagarin Cup playoffs for one week in order to create a new format and schedule for its six remaining teams after two clubs withdrew from the postseason, the league announced Monday.
Finland's Jokerit Helsinki and Kazakhstan's Barys Nur-Saltan bowed out after the opening round of the playoffs due to the coronavirus outbreak and travel restrictions being implemented worldwide, according to The Hockey News' Steven Ellis.
The six remaining teams - CSKA, Ak Bars, SKA, Dynamo Moscow, Sibir, and Salavat Yulaev - are all based in Russia.
The KHL announced Saturday it is closely monitoring the pandemic and defended its decision to continue its operations. The world's second-largest hockey league was scheduled to begin the second round of its playoffs Tuesday.
The ECHL will cancel the remainder of its season and playoffs as a precautionary measure to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the league announced Saturday.
"The decision by the ECHL to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season does not come lightly, as this is an emotional time for our players, coaches, member teams, fans, and staff," commissioner Ryan Crelin said. "As each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of those in the ECHL community and as we take precautionary measures in conjunction with our local authorities across the continent to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it has become apparent that this is the prudent decision."
Salaries of players will be paid through Monday, and players will have insurance through June 30, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian.
The ECHL, which is a tier below the AHL, has teams that are affiliated to 25 different NHL clubs.
The NHL sent a memo to its players Friday outlining a rough plan for the coming days amid the postponed season, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
Players will continue to receive their paychecks as scheduled. Three pay periods remained when the pause was announced.
Payments weren't guaranteed for players, as the CBA gives NHL owners the ability to negotiate different salary levels for players in the event that the league suspends its operations due to "a state of war or other cause beyond the control of the league or of the club," according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
Players were also asked to self-quarantine at home in their club's city and avoid travel. They'll be permitted to see family outside of their respective cities but must alert their team's general manager, per TSN's Darren Dreger.
The memo stressed that players adhere to the self-quarantine period, which will likely last approximately a week, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. This would allow the NHL "to be in the best position possible to assess (the) next steps regarding the potential resumption of play."
Players are encouraged to work out at home and not organize informal skates at public arenas, according to Seravalli. Those rehabbing from injuries can continue to use team facilities if necessary but are recommended to use alternative methods such as FaceTime or webinars with training staff.
After the quarantine period is complete, the league hopes to first re-open the team's facilities for players to work on conditioning before introducing a training camp period to get back to game speed.