Mark Jankowski made the most of a short window in Carolina, and now he’s got a longer one.
That’s the story for a player who arrived at the 2025 trade deadline, started piling up goals right away, and then turned that burst into something more permanent. Jankowski scored eight times in his final 19 games after the deal, and by the end of it he had done enough to convince the Hurricanes’ front office he belonged. Carolina rewarded him with a new contract, and the fourth line may have found a steady fixture.
The season did not begin cleanly for Jankowski. He moved in and out of the lineup early, then got a clearer runway when Jesperi Kotkaniemi went down in November.
From there, he mostly stayed put. His best night came in Carolina’s 9-1 win over the Panthers, when he posted a goal and two assists for his first three-point game as a Hurricane.
By season’s end, Jankowski had 11 goals and 21 points. That marked his first 20-point season since his sophomore year with Calgary in 2018-19, and it was also the first time he had back-to-back 10-goal seasons since his first two NHL campaigns. He was one of 13 players on the roster to reach double figures in goals and one of 14 to get to 20 points.
His playoff path was quieter at first. Outside of a near-game-winner in Game 2 of the opening round that was wiped out when the goal was called back, he didn’t show up much on the scoresheet through the first two rounds.
Jankowski managed one assist in eight games, but the Hurricanes still liked enough of what they saw to sign him to a two-year extension after the second round. The deal keeps him in Raleigh at $1.85 million per year.
The offense finally arrived in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jankowski picked up two assists in Game 2, including the primary helper on Nikolaj Ehlers’ overtime winner, then added another assist in Game 3.
He saved his biggest postseason moment for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, when he scored the tying goal and lit up the building. He finished the playoffs with five points.
For Carolina, that kind of contribution fits the role. The Hurricanes have serious depth up front, and Jankowski is part of that equation on the fourth line.
He won’t be the player driving the offense every night, but he has already shown he can stack production when his game gets rolling. With more steady minutes this season, he should have a chance to top last year’s numbers.
There’s more to his game than the scoring, too. Jankowski was Carolina’s second-best face-off man last season, trailing only the captain.
He won more than 51 percent of his draws and was trusted in difficult situations. Even with Jordan Staal taking far more faceoffs, Jankowski posted the team’s best short-handed win percentage at 47.5%.
The role will still be a limited one. He’s not likely to see much power-play time, and he sits a bit lower on the penalty kill.
His line averaged about 11 minutes a night, but it still found ways to matter. That’s the assignment now: squeeze every bit out of the chances he gets.
At least Jankowski knows where he’ll be doing it.
In Other News...
Hurricanes Bring Back Two Familiar Names With One Clear Message
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For Carolina, the moves fit a pattern of rewarding players already known in and around the system while preserving flexibility. Primeau has been in the organization before and has some recent NHL turnover on his resume, while BrindAmour and Robidas arrive with the kind of contract structure that usually points to competition, opportunity and a need to prove they can stick. It is a modest batch of signings on paper, but it tells you the Hurricanes are still sorting out who can help them now and who can stay close by if the roster needs a call-up later. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Blue Line Pressure Just Got More Interesting
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His return also arrives with a bit of extra intrigue because Alexander Nikishin is still unsigned and his situation has been the subject of trade speculation. Carolina does not lack for bodies on defense, but the combination of Reillys presence, the clubs established core and Nikishins unsettled status leaves the back end looking more competitive than ever as camp approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Blue Line Just Got More Crowded For A Familiar Veteran
The Hurricanes brought back a familiar face on the blue line, signing defenseman Mike Reilly to a one-year, two-way contract. Reilly spent part of last season in Carolina, giving the club another experienced option as it continues to stockpile depth on defense.
Reillys return adds another layer to a group that already looks crowded, with several defenders under contract and the Hurricanes still having to sort out the right balance on the back end. For a team that values stability and versatility in its defensive structure, the challenge now is less about finding bodies than figuring out how they all fit. [Read more 🡒]