Hurricanes sign breakout star to three-year extension

Goaltender Brandon Bussi went from the waiver wire to one of the Carolina Hurricanes’ most important players in the 2025-26 season.

Now he has been rewarded. 

The Hurricanes signed Bussi to a three-year contract extension that pays an average of $1.9 million per year through the 2028-29 season. Bussi was acquired on waivers from the Florida Panthers on Oct. 5 and has won 23 of his first 27 games with the Hurricanes, providing Carolina with stellar work in net at a time of need.

"I'm fortunate that I got an opportunity and that Carolina sees me the same way I see myself being here," Bussi said.

Carolina is 36-15-6 and has 78 points, tied for most in the Eastern Conference entering the Olympic break.

Bussi, who matched a franchise record with nine consecutive wins earlier this year, was the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 10 wins, 15 wins and 20 wins.

“Given the opportunity at the NHL level this season, he’s proven to be a winner here, too,” Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said. “We are thrilled that he will continue to provide a steady presence in the crease for this team into the future.”

Bussi is third in the NHL in wins and second in the league in goals-against average (2.16). Bussi went 63-31-13 in 111 games with Providence in the AHL.

The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation will make a $10,000 donation to the Autism Society of North Carolina. Bussi’s goalie mask is a tribute to his younger brother Dylan, who has autism, and is meant to raise awareness.

Carolina entered the season with veteran Frederik Andersen and  Pytor Kochetkov expected to be the top two options in the net. Andersen is 7-10-5 on the season with a 3.26 goals-against average. Kochetkov went 6-2 with a 2.33 goals-against average, but is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a lower body injury. He missed the first 11 games of the season, helping create a path for Bussi.