As the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, the Carolina Hurricanes send five players to represent their countries on the world stage. But before we shift our focus to international ice, it's a good time to take stock of how three of Carolina’s newest faces have performed through the first 57 games of the season. With the Hurricanes sitting at 36-15-6 and right in the thick of the Metropolitan Division race, these additions have played key roles in keeping the Canes among the league’s elite.
Let’s break down where things stand for Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Bussi, and K’Andre Miller - and what kind of impact they’ve made so far in their first season wearing the red and black.
Nikolaj Ehlers - Finding His Stride After a Quiet Start
It took 11 games for Nikolaj Ehlers to find the back of the net in a Hurricanes sweater, but once the Danish winger got going, he didn’t look back. Since breaking the seal, Ehlers has been one of Carolina’s most dynamic offensive threats, racking up 14 goals and 25 assists over his last 46 games. That’s 39 points in that stretch, with five of those goals coming on the power play and three going down as game-winners - a sign of his knack for showing up in big moments.
What’s stood out is Ehlers’ versatility. He’s bounced around the lineup - from the top line to the third - and found chemistry wherever he’s landed.
Most recently, he’s been skating alongside Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, where his speed and puck-carrying ability have added a new dimension to that line. On the power play, he’s often the guy leading the rush into the zone, and his ability to slice through defenses with speed and precision has made him a one-man zone entry machine.
Through 57 games, Ehlers has totaled 14 goals and 29 assists for 43 points. That ties him for second on the team in assists (with Shayne Gostisbehere) and third in total points (alongside Seth Jarvis). And considering he didn’t score until Game 12, that’s a testament to just how impactful he’s been since finding his rhythm.
Ehlers came to Raleigh with expectations after signing a six-year deal, and while the start was slow, he’s more than delivered since. The Hurricanes brought him in to be a difference-maker, and that’s exactly what he’s become.
Grade: A-
Brandon Bussi - From Waivers to Winning Machine
There’s hot, and then there’s Brandon Bussi.
Claimed off waivers just days before the season opener, Bussi has gone from an afterthought to one of the biggest stories in the NHL this season. The rookie netminder is 23-3-1 through his first 27 starts - the fastest goalie in league history to reach 10, 18, and 20 wins to start a career. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even on the opening night roster.
His numbers stack up impressively against the league’s best. Bussi is tied for third in wins (23), sharing that spot with Jake Oettinger - who has 10 more starts. Only Karel Vejmelka and Andrei Vasilevskiy have more wins, and both have played significantly more games.
Where Bussi really shines is in goals-against average. Among goalies with 20 or more starts, he ranks second in the NHL with a 2.16 GAA - just behind Vasilevskiy’s 2.11.
That’s elite company. And while his .908 save percentage ranks 13th, it doesn’t fully reflect his performance, especially considering how few high-danger chances he faces behind Carolina’s stingy defensive system.
Still, when he’s been tested, Bussi has delivered. Two shutouts, consistently calm in the crease, and a growing presence between the pipes - he’s been everything the Hurricanes could’ve hoped for and more. For a guy who started the season as a third-string option, Bussi has taken over the net in Raleigh.
Grade: A+
K’Andre Miller - Adjusting on the Fly
K’Andre Miller came to Carolina with a big contract and big expectations. The towering defenseman is in the first year of an eight-year deal, and while there have been some ups and downs, there’s no question he’s starting to settle in.
Through 49 games, Miller has four goals and 19 assists for 23 points - already just one assist shy of last season’s total and on pace to surpass his career highs. He’s also playing more than ever, averaging 22:29 of ice time per game, a career-best. That increased workload is a sign of trust from the coaching staff, even if there have been some growing pains along the way.
There have been moments where Miller’s decision-making has led to trouble - a mistimed pinch here, a blown coverage there - but that’s not uncommon for a defenseman learning a new system. The Hurricanes' defensive structure is demanding, and even veterans like Brent Burns and Shayne Gostisbehere needed time to adjust. Miller’s raw tools - size, reach, skating - have helped him make some key plays in the defensive zone, and his offensive game is quietly rounding into form.
He’s already topped his previous power-play production with three points on the man advantage and even notched just the second power-play goal of his career. The offensive potential is there, and as he gets more comfortable in Carolina’s system, the consistency should follow.
Miller hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been solid - and with his skillset and ceiling, the best is likely still to come.
Grade: B-
The Verdict So Far
With Ehlers, Bussi, and Miller all contributing in meaningful ways, the Hurricanes’ offseason moves are paying off. Ehlers has added scoring punch and speed, Bussi has stabilized the crease and then some, and Miller is beginning to find his footing on the blue line. There’s still a chunk of the season left to play, but through 57 games, Carolina’s new additions have helped keep the team on track for another run at the Metropolitan Division crown.
If they continue trending upward, the Canes could be gearing up for another deep playoff push in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal year eight under Rod Brind’Amour.