by Max Goren
We’re a week away from Christmas, and the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves atop a competitive Eastern Conference in the NHL. Winners of five straight and five points clear of their closest Metropolitan division competition, Carolina is likely in no rush to rock the boat. This is one of the best rosters the team has had since Rod Brind’Amour took over as head coach in 2018, and with the recent return of Jaccob Slavin on the blueline, the unit is almost fully healthy for the first time this season.
However, when you have an abundance of cap space and draft capital like Canes GM Eric Tulsky has, it’s enticing to consider bolstering your lineup for a deep postseason run. Tulsky and Canes owner Tom Dundon have lived by the methodology that, until Carolina ices the league’s 20 best players, there is always room to improve. In the spirit of the holidays, here are five players the Hurricanes wouldn’t mind finding under the tree via trade.
Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators
Known as “The Factor,” O’Reilly is a veteran center known for getting teams over the hump. He won the Conn Smythe in 2019 after leading St. Louis to its first Stanley Cup title, and he helped Toronto win its first playoff series in 19 years after being acquired at the trade deadline in 2023. O’Reilly leads the struggling Preds in points this season, and has won 55% of his career faceoffs- he would be an excellent addition at second-line center, which would allow Logan Stankoven to flourish in his natural position on the wing. At a $4.5 million cap hit with one year remaining on his current deal, it wouldn’t take much in terms of salary cap gymnastics to acquire him. The question is, what is Nashville’s asking price?
Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres
At six feet, four inches tall and 219 pounds, Tuch would bring some valuable size to Carolina’s top-six. He is a gifted goal-scorer, with two 36-goal seasons in his last three campaigns. He is in the final year of being criminally underpaid on his current contract. Is Buffalo’s new GM, Jarmo Kekalainen, looking to make a splash and acquire some assets for Tuch, rather than let him walk for nothing? Are Canes fans willing to take on another Jake Guentzel, Mikko Rantanen-type situation? Tuch is likely the most coveted league-wide target on this list, so a trade for him would likely come with the highest price tag, even as a rental.
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
Trocheck is a familiar face in Carolina, where he was acquired at the 2020 trade deadline and took part in three postseason runs before signing with the Rangers as a free agent in 2022. He’s not the biggest body on the ice, but is known as a player with grit that can get under opponents’ skin, and he’s talented in the faceoff dot. While a Canes reunion could be fun, at age 32, he still has three years left on his contract after this one at a $5.625 million cap hit. I think Trocheck would be a solid acquisition, but I wouldn’t want to surrender too many assets, especially within the division.
Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken
This one is a little bit off the board, but I’m high on this player. After he was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, he took full advantage of his expanded role, leading the team in goals for the next three seasons, including a 40-goal campaign in 2022-23. McCann’s contract comes with another reasonable cap hit, just $5 million, and it expires at the end of next season. With the Kraken falling out of playoff contention after a hot start, it doesn’t appear that their team can contend as currently constructed. Eric Tulsky may want to inquire about McCann’s availability.
Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks
In the wake of the Quinn Hughes trade, it’s clear that Vancouver is in full rebuild mode. Some Canes fans think Elias Pettersson is the Canuck to target, but I feel that the player is a bit overpaid and has suffered some serious regression after a career season in 2022-23. I think Carolina could take a look at Sherwood, who is one of, if not the, most physical player in the NHL. He led the league in hits last year with a staggering 462, and ranks second so far this season. On top of his incredible physicality, Sherwood has some goal-scoring touch as well: he potted 19 goals last season, and is on pace to exceed that by quite a bit with 13 goals in 33 games this season. He’s dirt cheap at $1.5 million on an expiring deal- definitely worth a look.