NHL Rumors: Insider links $60,000,000 Panthers superstar to Carolina Hurricanes with free agency looming

The Carolina Hurricanes crashed out of the playoffs after they were defeated by the Florida Panthers. With an offseason ahead of them, they have time to mull on what went wrong and what to do next. That could include going after top free agents.

They've been linked to forwards given their lack of scoring and a true star up-front. However, their defense, which was stout, has some holes and some outgoing free agents. A hockey insider thinks Aaron Ekblad might be an option.

Ekblad, who signed an eight-year $60 million extension in 2016, is set to be the top defenseman on the market.

"So even though they’ll be chasing scoring talent, they have multiple needs and could take a big run at someone such as Aaron Ekblad — the top free-agent defenseman — if he makes it to market," The Athletic's James Mirtle wrote on Monday.

"Or they could pursue a trade to upgrade their back end, which was exposed against the Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals."

The Hurricanes have a lot of money to spend in free agency, and they are in need of top players. With Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns expected to leave, there's also a need for a top-four defenseman. Pairing Jacobb Slavin with Ekblad could give them an elite defensive line.

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NHL analyst predicts Maple Leafs star lands with Carolina Hurricanes

Aaron Ekblad isn't the only star free agent who could be on the Carolina Hurricanes' radar. After a disappointing end to a good season, and with a major need for scoring, a 100-point Toronto Maple Leafs star could be on the way.

Mitch Marner has been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes (Imagn)

Mitch Marner is a free agent, and he fits a glaring need in Carolina, according to The Athletic's James Mirtle.

"The Hurricanes had a 99-point season, making it to the conference finals, and yet you get the sense no one is satisfied in Raleigh," Mirtle wrote on Monday. "They’re in Cup-or-bust mode, with $28 million in cap space and a green light from ownership to spend. It’ll be interesting to see how GM Eric Tulsky navigates that freedom."

Mirtle added that the Hurricanes are "obviously going to be in the Marner sweepstakes" since they attempted to get him at the deadline in the Mikko Rantanen trade. Carolina perhaps has the biggest need for a scorer of his caliber among all contending teams.