For the Carolina Hurricanes, they have a plethora of contracts they will need to figure out after the 2021/22 NHL season. Although, there is one name that the team really needs to be kept in Raleigh. A much-needed key piece for the Hurricanes next season. That player? None other than Nino Niederriter.
Nino Niederriter needs to Stay in Carolina
On January 17, 2019, the Carolina Hurricanes sent Victor Rask to the Minnesota Wild. This trade would shock the hockey world and would become one of the biggest fleece trades for Carolina. In return, the Hurricanes would receive at the time 26-year old Nino Niederriter. No one around hockey saw this trade coming. Especially on the fact that Niederreiter came off a 57 point season in 2016/17. Furthermore, Nino then signed a five-year/$26.25M deal with the Minnesota Wild. That deal was signed on July 30, 2017.
At the time it begged the question, for a guy like him, why would Minnesota trade him away? Nonetheless, the trade happened and Niederriter became a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. In his 36 games with Carolina in 2016/17, he would accumulate 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists). Right from the start, it seemed like Carolina acquired the guy to slot on their second line for years to come. For the most part, they did and he has been playing well for them ever since the trade.
Although, Niederriter’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season. He is set to finish the season with a cap hit of $5.25M. In the 58 games played this season, Nino has tallied 20 goals and 14 assists for 34 points. Furthermore, he has scored three goals in the last two games against the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues. The question remains, can Carolina find a way to keep him in Raleigh?
Why Carolina Should Keep Him
Despite his cap hit taking seven percent of Carolina’s cap, his deal is coming to an end at the end of the season. He is beloved in Carolina by the fans and management. His style of play works well for Rod Brind’Amour‘s system. Niederriter is a guy that can be plugged into the second line night in and night out. Although he has missed games due to injury and a one-game suspension, Niederriter has played phenomenally this year. It makes a case as to why the Hurricanes need to keep him for the next few seasons.
The additions of Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who could potentially be slotted in the second-line center role, would be a great key to helping Nino stay. Furthermore, with rookie sensation Seth Jarvis playing well, there could be a case as well for him to play on the second line with Kotkaniemi and Niederreiter. There is a case to be made to have a line of Niederriter-Kotkaniemi-Jarvis work for the 2022/23 Hurricanes. However, that all depends on what Carolina does with Martin Necas. Necas is due to be a restricted free agent (RFA) after this season. Furthermore, he also happens to play on the second line most of the time with Niederriter and Vincent Trocheck. There is a ton of moving pieces for Carolina this off-season.
Keep the Stanley Cup Window Open
When it comes down to it, the Carolina Hurricanes need to keep Nino Niederriter in Raleigh. While Niederriter will turn 30 this September, he is a key piece to help keep the window open for Carolina to win a Stanley Cup, maybe multiple even. The team is young mixed in with great veteran leadership. Rod Brind’Amour is the head coach and it seems like his style of coaching in Carolina will never slow down. To have a guy like Niederreiter is key for Carolina to keep on their uphill trajectory. At the end of the day, Carolina needs Niederriter and Niederriter needs Carolina. If Carolina can bring him back on a deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.5-5M, there is a good chance to keep this team intact. It comes down to what general manager Don Waddell wants to do with this Carolina Hurricanes team.
Only time will tell.
My name is Zach Martin, the Carolina Hurricanes beat writer for Belly Up Hockey and Belly Up Sports. Check out my Carolina Hurricanes podcast called The SurgeCast on Twitter and all podcast platforms. Along with The SurgeCast, check out my other podcast Let’s Talk WoHawkey. Follow me on Twitter for the most up-to-date Carolina Hurricanes content and news.
