By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
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Don Waddell’s expectations were so low on the chances of improving the Hurricanes roster to open NHL free agency on Saturday, Carolina’s general manager told his staff they might not even have to come into the office.

Some four hours into the signing period, Waddell came away with a big haul. Aside from retaining their starting goalie tandem of Antti Raanta and Frederik Andersen and re-signing speedy forward Jesper Fast, the Hurricanes landed defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Michael Bunting.

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“Things have changed here,” Waddell said, referring to the league-wide perception of the Hurricanes, who have re-established themselves as a contender.

“We used to chase players, have to overpay,” he added. “We’ve become a destination place. We’re getting those calls first. And it’s nice to be in that position.”

The same applies to the New York Rangers who, with far less salary cap space available than Carolina, still made an impressive series of signings — taking their Metropolitan Division rivalry with the Hurricanes off the ice and into free agency.

The Rangers additions were highlighted by forwards Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino and Tyler Pitlick, defenseman Erik Gustafsson and two-time Stanley Cup champion goalie Jonathan Quick, who’s coming off backing up when Vegas won it all.

“I’m biased. It was my life’s dream to be a Ranger, and I think it’s a pretty special place to play,” GM Chris Drury said. “We’re fortunate the players we did sign today wanted to be here and believe in what we’re trying to do.”

For a free agent class regarded as thin on high-end talent, and with teams handcuffed by a flat salary cap that’s risen just $4 million since 2018-19, NHL GMs were quick out of the gate to fill their biggest needs.

Barry Trotz opened his tenure as Predators general manager by signing one of the game’s top two-way forwards, Ryan O’Reilly, to a four-year, $18 million contract. The Predators also signed winger Gustav Nyquist to a $6.37 million, two-year deal, and defenseman Luke Schenn to a three-year, $8.25 million contract.

O’Reilly, who was playoff MVP for the Stanley Cup-wining Blues in 2019, arrives in Music City after the Predators began purging high-priced veterans. They bought out the remainder of Matt Duchene’s contract and traded Ryan Johansen to Colorado.

“I think I’m going to sleep well tonight,” said Trotz, who takes over following David Poile’s retirement and inherits a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years. “This is the start of what we want to do.”

The Detroit Red Wings signed 2022 Stanley Cup-winning forward J.T. Compher to a $25.5 million, five-year contract.

In losing Compher, and after acquiring Ross Colton in a trade from Tampa Bay, the Colorado Avalanche signed former Devils forward Miles Wood to a six-year contract and former Montreal forward Jonathan Drouin to a one-year deal.

Forward Alex Killorn became the latest member of 2020 and ‘21 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay to cash in, signing a $25 million, four-year contract with Anaheim.