Hurricanes Sign Goalie Brandon Bussi to 3-Year, $5.7M Contract

Undrafted 27-year-old has been a revelation in net for Carolina this season.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Carolina Hurricanes have signed undrafted 27-year-old goaltender Brandon Bussi to a three-year, $5.7 million contract. Bussi, who was claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers in October, has been a standout for the Hurricanes this season, ranking third in the NHL in wins and second in goals-against average among goalies with at least 25 games played.

Why it matters

Bussi's emergence has provided crucial stability in net for the Hurricanes, who have dealt with injuries to starting goaltender Frederik Andersen. The new contract keeps Bussi in Carolina through the 2025-26 season, ensuring the team has a reliable option between the pipes as they push for a deep playoff run.

The details

Bussi's new deal carries an average annual value of $1.9 million and will begin next season. The undrafted goaltender has been a revelation since being claimed off waivers, posting a 23-3-1 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. His 21 wins through his first 25 NHL games are the most by a goalie in that span, surpassing marks set by Andrew Hammond and Bill Durnan.

  • Bussi signed the 3-year, $5.7 million contract on February 16, 2026.
  • He made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes on October 14 of this season.

The players

Brandon Bussi

A 27-year-old undrafted goaltender who has emerged as a standout for the Carolina Hurricanes this season after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers.

Eric Tulsky

The general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, who praised Bussi's success at every level leading up to the NHL and his proven ability to win at the highest level.

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What they’re saying

“Before we brought him to Raleigh, Brandon had been successful at every level from the USHL to college to the AHL. Given the opportunity at the NHL level this season, he's proven to be a winner here too. We are thrilled that he will continue to provide a steady presence in the crease for this team into the future.”

— Eric Tulsky, Carolina Hurricanes General Manager (NHL.com)

What’s next

The Hurricanes will look to Bussi to continue his strong play in net as they push for a deep playoff run this season.

The takeaway

Bussi's new contract is a testament to the Hurricanes' ability to identify and develop undrafted talent, providing the team with a reliable goaltending option as they aim to contend for the Stanley Cup in the coming years.