The Carolina Hurricanes have several important issues going into the offseason, including a very interesting cap situation that could determine how good the Carolina Hurricanes are in the 2014-2015 season.

Money Invested in Forwards:

Eric Staal: $8.25 million per year cap hit through 2015-2016 (NTC)

Alexander Semin: $7 million per year cap hit through 2017-2018

Jordan Staal: $6 million per year cap hit through 2022-2023 (NTC)

Jeff Skinner: $5.725 million per year cap hit through 2018-2019 (NTC)

Elias Lindholm: $925 thousand per year cap hit through 2015-2016

Patrick Dwyer: $900 thousand per year cap hit through 2014-2015

Riley Nash: $575 thousand per year cap hit through 2014-2015

Total Money Invested in Forwards in 2014-2015: $29.375 million

The Carolina Hurricanes are in a tight situation with their forwards. With four players making over $5.5 million, the Carolina Hurricanes need to get a lot out of those players.

The Carolina Hurricanes are also getting good value out of many forwards. Elias Lindholm is still on his entry level deal, so he should provide good point production for a player making under $1 million for the next two seasons.

Patrick Dwyer and Riley Nash are also making south of $1 million next season. They are both bottom-six players, so they are good, cheap options in that role.

Money Invested in Defensemen:

Justin Faulk: $4,833,333 per year cap hit through 2019-2020

John-Michael Liles: $3.875 million per year cap hit through 2015-2016

Andrej Sekera: $2.750 million per year cap hit through 2014-2015

Jay Harrison: $1.5 million per year cap hit through 2015-2015

Ryan Murphy: $863.333 thousand per year cap hit through 2015-2016

Total Money Invested in Defensemen in 2014-2015: $13,821,667

Outside of John-Michael Liles, the Carolina Hurricanes aren’t trapped in terrible contracts with their defensive group. Justin Faulk is fresh off a long-term contract extension, but the money is not too bad for what he brings now and in the future.

The Carolina Hurricanes got great value out of Andrej Sekera’s sub-$3 million contract in 2013-2014, and they will expect to get more of the same from Sekera in 2014-2015.

Jay Harrison may not be worth all of his $1.5 million contract, but it’s not a whole lot of money. Ryan Murphy will look to establish himself in the NHL next season, and with a contract paying him under $1 million, there’s potential for a lot of value there for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Money Invested in Goalies:

Cam Ward: $6.3 million per year cap hit through 2015-2016

Anton Khudobin: $2.25 million per year cap hit through 2015-2016

Total Money Invested in Goalies in 2014-2015: $8.55 million

The Carolina Hurricanes have a great deal with Anton Khudobin and a regrettable deal with Cam Ward through the next two seasons.

Anton Khudobin is making less than $3 million per year through the next couple of seasons. Khudobin’s production last season was very impressive, and if he can do that again in 2014-2015, he will be well worth the money.

Cam Ward’s situation is very tricky. The Carolina Hurricanes have three options with him this offseason. They could keep him, trade him, or buy him out. It will be interesting to see what Ron Francis will do with the former Conn Smythe winner.

Retained Salary:

Tuomo Ruutu: $950 thousand per year through 2015-2016

(*All salary cap numbers are from capgeek.com)