Story perspectives

Hurricanes Ink Jankowski to Two-Year, $3.7 M Deal

5/12/2026

Summary

Jankowski Re-signs

Carolina Hurricanes signed center Mark Jankowski to a two-year extension worth $1.85 million per season through 2027-28.
He posted 11 goals, 21 points in 68 games, averaged 11 minutes, won 51% of faceoffs and contributed on penalty kill and power play.
In eight playoff games he had one assist, saw two overtime goals overturned, helped Carolina advance, and was coming off a Nashville contract paying $800,000 annually that expired this summer.

Summary

Hurricanes Sweep

The Hurricanes became the first NHL team since 1987 to sweep the two playoff rounds, a milestone reached two days before they extended forward Jankowski.
Jankowski, acquired from Nashville in a March 2025 trade, said two goals were overturned on video review, yet the Hurricanes won both games, and added overturned goals took away hurt, expressing confidence scores will come.
Carolina now awaits the Montreal-Buffalo winner to set its Eastern Conference final opponent.

Summary

Carolina Acquires

Carolina acquired him from Nashville on March 7 2025 for a fifth-round 2026 draft pick.
He hails from Hamilton, Ontario, adding a Canadian hometown to the Hurricanes’ roster.
He posted a +7 plus/minus rating in the 2025-26 regular season.
He scored his first playoff goal with the Predators in 2024 after helping Providence College win the 2015 NCAA championship.

History

Historical Context

After owner Peter Karmanos announced the Hartford Whalers would leave in March 1997, the franchise moved to Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes, playing two seasons in Greensboro while a new arena was built. The 1999 completion of the Raleigh venue gave the team a stable home, paving the way for the 2006 Stanley Cup—the state’s first major professional sports championship.

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Jankowski Re-signs

Carolina Hurricanes signed center Mark Jankowski to a two-year extension worth $1.85 million per season through 2027-28.
He posted 11 goals, 21 points in 68 games, averaged 11 minutes, won 51% of faceoffs and contributed on penalty kill and power play.
In eight playoff games he had one assist, saw two overtime goals overturned, helped Carolina advance, and was coming off a Nashville contract paying $800,000 annually that expired this summer.

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