There are two or three holes that the Hurricanes need to fix this offseason. Along with looking for an impact winger or two, and possibly a right-handed defenseman, the most glaring issue is at center. More specifically, the Hurricanes need a second-line center to play behind Sebastian Aho who can score consistently.
That spot belonged to Jesperi Kotkaniemi for most of the season. Outside of a good start (10 points in 14 games) and a five-game point streak in mid-to-late January, Kotkaniemi failed to provide that spark. He finished the season with 12 goals and 33 points, matching his goal total from a year ago and slightly improving in points.
While there was marginal improvement in Kotkaniemi's numbers, the Canes need more from that spot. He had just four assists in 14 postseason games, serving as a healthy scratch during Game 2 of the conference finals. Kotkaniemi shows flashes of good hockey, but nothing nearly consistent enough to be the second-line center.
Trades are always tough to predict because you never know who is available, especially when players are locked into long-term contracts. However, the Hurricanes are positioned to make a major splash this offseason. They're right on the cusp. With a few moves, they could be finalists. While the likelihood of these moves seems low, it would be worth Eric Tulsky inquiring about their availability.
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Around the time the Hurricanes acquired Mikko Rantanen in January, they were also actively talking with the Vancouver Canucks about potential deals. One player they were interested in, JT Miller, was traded to the Rangers. The other player was Elias Pettersson. While the Canucks kept Pettersson through the end of the season, they could try and move him this offseason.
Pettersson had the worst season of his NHL career, scoring just 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games. He missed two long stretches during the season with injuries, including the final 12 games of the Canucks' season. However, Pettersson is two years removed from a 102-point season, is a three-time 30-goal scorer, and is a solid two-way center.
Despite his proven offensive upside, there are a few potential hangups. First, while he's tall, standing 6'2", Pettersson isn't the heaviest guy on the planet. He'll throw his body around, but he's far more known for his shot. Pettersson is also inexperienced in the playoffs. He was very good in the bubble in 2020, scoring 18 points in 17 games, but finished with just six points in 13 games in 2024.
The biggest workaround will be his contract. Pettersson signed an eight-year, $92.8 million contract ($11.6 AAV) that began this season and includes a no-movement clause that starts in July. The price to acquire his services is certain to be steep, but the Canes have the cap flexibility, prospect pool, and draft capital to make this move possible.
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
The second trade option that I'm presenting certainly exceeds the size requirement. At 6'6" and 220 lbs, Tage Thompson is a machine on skates. He's one of the best shooters in the league, seemingly bursting on the scene a few seasons ago when the Sabres gave him a prominent role. Thompson is a two-time 40-goal scorer, including 44 goals this season, with an additional 30-goal campaign.
Like Pettersson, Thompson is locked into a long-term contract, entering the third year of a seven-year deal worth $7.14 million per season. This also includes a five-team no-trade list that kicks in next season. At the rate he scores goals, this is an incredibly friendly deal for the Sabres and could add value to any potential return the Sabres could get for him.
Thompson's presence would be big for the power play. He scored 20 goals with the man advantage a few seasons ago, though he did most of his damage at even strength this season with a league-best 37 goals at 5-on-5. I would have a few concerns about his defensive game, along with his success in the dot. Thompson has never finished better than 43.3% on draws as a full-time NHLer.
He's also never experienced the highs and lows of playoff hockey, having spent his entire career with the Sabres. With Buffalo likely still a few years away from contending, they could shoot for a soft reset by trading pieces this offseason. If Thompson becomes available, he would immediately be one of the top names. It feels like a long shot, but the Canes might be willing to take a major swing.