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Trade Targets: Carolina Hurricanes Offseason Outlook (Part 1 of 4)

May 9, 2016, 11:31 PM ET [51 Comments]
Thomas Gidlow
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Some quick hits before the meat and potatoes:

-- I would like to apologize for my extended absence the past few weeks. I'm not going to go into much detail, but I do thank you all very much for your patience. I am happy to be back writing, and it is my goal as ever to become a true contributing member of this site.

-- Carolina selects 13th overall in the June entry draft. Carolina will have seven selections inside the top 74 picks, although the feeling is that some could be moved in a trade should one present itself.

-- Noah Hanifin has played well thus far in three games for Team USA in the 2016 World Championships. The 19-year old Canes rearguard potted a goal and added an assist in the 6-3 victory over Belarus on Saturday, and skated for a team-high 22:08 in a 3-2 loss to Finland on Monday.

-- Speaking of Finland and the World Championships, Hurricanes prospect Sebastian Aho has three points in as many games. Canes defenseman Michal Jordan (3 games, +2) is participating for the Czech Republic, while Carolina bench boss Bill Peters is head coach for Team Canada.

-- As will be highlighted in upcoming articles, Carolina currently has 29 players under contract throughout the organization for the 2016-17 season. Seven players are pending unrestricted free agents, while 14 are restricted free agents. 12 prospects remain unsigned as well.


PART 1 of 4, Carolina Hurricanes Offseason Outlook: TRADING TARGETS

The Carolina Hurricanes have a lot to do this offseason, and as such, we're going to be covering all aspects of what promises to be a notable summer.

First up, we're going to be taking a look at pro roster depth, unrestricted free agents, and possible trade targets for the Canes.



Carolina currently has 15 pro roster players who finished last season with term left on their contracts, and three additional pro roster players slated for restricted free agency this offseason. Five pro players are headed to the summer UFA class, leaving that many roster spots needing to be filled.

Assuming all three pro RFA's are signed (Rask, Murphy, and Jordan), the key positions to be addressed obviously lie on offense. Free agency could be a place to look for such a need, although the upper end of the 2016 UFA class is likely outside of the Hurricanes desired budget.

The interesting thing to note, however, is that Carolina is positioned very well to add a significant contract. Assuming all RFA's are signed and the Canes fill their secondary forward and primary goaltending needs, the Hurricanes still stand to be around $4-$6 million shy of the projected $59 million salary floor. For a team looking to move a larger contracted forward (preferably one that can score), especially those looking for young defensive help or draft picks, Carolina is a team that can accommodate.



Here are six forward targets that I have identified that seem to be what the Hurricanes need, and what could potentially be feasible given the right set of circumstances.

#1: Gustav Nyquist, RW (Detroit)

Nyquist tallied 17 goals and added 26 assists for 43 points on the 2015-16 campaign with the Red Wings. Not overly big at 5-11 and 183 pounds, Nyquist makes up for it with solid two-way acumen. He's never going to run you over with his skill, but there's no doubting his playmaking abilities. The issue has been consistency, and with a $4.75 million cap hit for the next three seasons you'd want a bit more in that department. But Nyquist will be 27 by the time training camp starts and he produced 28 goals the last year Bill Peters was in Detroit. He would be an ideal fit with Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask, and with Detroit in a state of flux after a difficult season, there's never been a better time to inquire.

Possible cost to acquire: Brett Pesce, Brock McGinn, late draft pick

#2: Jordan Eberle, RW (Edmonton)

Another team in some need for defensive help is the Oilers. Eberle has been long rumored to be one of the most likely players to move in order to facilitate such an improvement. Another smaller winger at 5-11 and 185 pounds, Eberle's value is in his pure skill and scoring ability. Despite the ups and downs of consistently awful results as a team in Edmonton, Eberle has been able to average nearly 25 goals a year since his rookie campaign in 2010-11. His assists were down this past season, but a change of scenery may be just what he needs to return to his nearly 0.8 PPG average. Eberle carries a $6 million cap hit for the next three seasons, though.

Possible cost to acquire: Brett Pesce, Keegan Lowe, mid-range pick (3rd/4th round)

#3: Chris Kreider, LW (NY Rangers)

More of the type of power forward that the Hurricanes sorely need on the wing, Kreider, who is just 25 years old, stands 6-3 and weighs in at 226 pounds. He's netted 21 goals in each of the past two seasons, and has served as a post-season leader in deep playoff runs in two of the last three years. Kreider is a restricted free agent, making his situation slightly different than the two options above. But with cap space to spare, Carolina would have no issue fitting him in. The real question is cost - what would it take to acquire him, and what would the Rangers covet to move him? It's unlikely that draft picks alone would interest GM Jeff Gorton, but the Canes have a lot of youth that aren't far off from being able to contribute.

Possible cost to acquire: Brock McGinn, Ryan Murphy, mid-to-late pick (4th/5th round)

#4: Tomas Tatar, RW (Detroit)

The Red Wings seem likely to make major moves this offseason, and one of the more obvious forwards to move (when considering the return) would be Tatar, who is slated to become a restricted free agent after the 2016-17 season. Similar in size to Nyquist and Eberle, Tatar has averaged 23 goals the past three campaigns and is only 25 years old (will be 26 in December). Tatar brings a cap hit of $2.75 million for the upcoming season and one assumes he would also be a solid fit for Skinner and Rask.

Possible cost to acquire: Brett Pesce, Danny Biega, late pick (6th/7th round)

#5: Drew Stafford, RW (Winnipeg)

If for some reason none of the above options or potential UFA's pan out, Stafford is a dependable, workmanlike option that likely won't cost Carolina as much in assets. Tossing out a sub-par and lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Stafford has scored 106 times since 2010-11, good for a little north of 21 goals per season. He'll be a $4.35 million cap hit in the final year of his current deal, he'll turn 31 by the end of October, and he'll be a UFA come the summer of 2017. So while he's a decent option he is by no means the top of the heap. But if it comes down to it, he's a bigger body who can play both ends of the ice - that's an upgrade in the top 9 that the Canes sorely need.

Possible cost to acquire: Early-to-mid pick (2nd/3rd round), Rasmus Rissanen

#6: Ryan Callahan, RW (Tampa Bay)

A long shot given that his leadership abilities are what any team hoping to be a perennial playoff contender wants. The Hurricanes may not quite be ready (or able if he's available) to add a piece like Callahan, who may not provide as much offense as in the past but provides incalcuable mentoring to young, impressionable players. The Canes need scoring, and if this was a couple more years down the road, it makes more sense to bring in a hand such as Callahan. But with a $5.8 million cap hit for the next four seasons to look forward to, it may be best to let someone else step up should he hit the trade market this offseason.

Possible cost to acquire: Likely more than willing to part with

Bonus: Patric Hornqvist, RW (Pittsburgh)

One of the most consistent players in the NHL the past three seasons, Hornqvist has provided a steady offensive hand while being an above-average defensive forward. He has scored 69 times in the past three years while missing only 24 games - 16 of which came two seasons ago (he appeared in all 82 games for the Penguins this past season). He's another smaller option at 5-11 and 190 pounds, but plays with a solid base and is very hard to take off the puck. He's valued in Pittsburgh though, which means his price tag to be moved is likely high. Hornqvist sports a reasonable $4.25 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons as well. But don't underestimate GM Jim Rutherford's penchant for making a move. He's proven to not be shy about trades since he left Carolina in 2014.

Possible cost to acquire: CAR 1st 2016 (13th overall), Brock McGinn



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