For weeks, Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell has been promising radical changes to his team's roster.
On Saturday afternoon, during the fourth round of the NHL Draft, Waddell and his wing man Rick Dudley landed a HUGE return in a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames.
Waddell is shipping forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Flames in exchange for defenseman Dougie Hamilton, power forward Micheal Ferland and defense prospect Adam Fox, Harvard, Team USA WJC).
Flames GM Brad Treliving will have to re-sign Lindholm and Hanifin, who are restricted free agents.
New Carolina owner Tom Dundon fired former GM Ron Francis and replaced him with Waddell at season's end. Dundon also punted Bill Peters as his head coach.
The Flames immediately inked Peters to be their head coach in Calgary. Lindholm and Hanifin in Raleigh for the past three seasons. Peters was fired after the season ended. The Hurricanes have missed the playoffs the past nine seasons.
Hanifin was selected immediately after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel in 2015.
Lindholm is a former first rounder.
Hamilton began his career in Boston. He's a former first rounder who will give you 45-55 points per season.
This is a win-win for both teams.
We have a trade to announce. pic.twitter.com/BFtbo3tkKQ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) June 23, 2018
Waddell and Dudley have said that the Canes are too easy to play against. They will be a lot tougher now. Svechnikov is a high skill monster. They Ferland is Tom Wilson mean, skilled. Hamilton will QB PP1. Fox is skilled, skates well and plays the heavy game.
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) June 23, 2018