This year was always going to be a re-tooling year from Carolina’s perspective. They made their push with their first group last year, because they knew the contracts of long-time Canes (like Pesce, Skjei, and Teravanien) would be ending this past offseason and they couldn’t keep everyone. Then guys like Burns and Orlov have their contract ending this year. So the expectations this year was only to make the playoffs as the 3rd division/bubble team, and then hope for the best once the playoffs begin. Next year, they’ll have long-time highly touted prospect Nikishin coming over, as well as guys like Morrow and possibly Nadeau to help begin the next “wave” of a Cup push.
Which is why deciding to make the trade for Rantanen this year was a weird decision, but considering they were apparently working off false information (that he would have no issue re-signing), it makes more sense.