Carolina Hurricanes Are the Biggest Losers of the Seth Jones/Ryan Johansen Trade
In this week’s blockbuster trade, the Carolina Hurricanes were the real loser.
Yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators agreed to the biggest trade of the 2015-2016 season. Nashville sent 20 year-old Seth Jones, the 4th overall pick in 2013, to Columbus in exchange for center Ryan Johansen, the 4th overall pick in 2010. No other pieces were moved in the deal.
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From the Columbus perspective, this move was expected. Johansen has had a rough season after his breakout year. After scoring 33 and 26 goals in the last two seasons respectively, he had only managed 6 goals in 38 games for the Jackets this season. His effort was also coming into question as well. Head coach John Tortorella hasn’t been pleased with Johansen’s effectiveness. A trade was certainly in the works.
In Nashville, a trade was also coming. In order to continue competing in the tough Central Division, they needed more scoring and depth at center. Johansen has the ability to provide that. While the price of Jones is very steep, it really doesn’t hurt them that much. Jones was on their second pairing behind Shea Weber and Roman Josi, so it’s not like Nashville’s defense will be a liability going forward.
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How do the Carolina Hurricanes fit into this trade? The answer is more a matter of the role Carolina could have played. Before yesterday, Carolina and Nashville looked like perfect trading buddies. Carolina had an experienced and potentially explosive center in Eric Staal. Nashville had forward prospects, picks, and depth players. The stars were aligned. Now, with Nashville filling their need at center, the Preds’ dire need for Eric Staal is diminished. All of the sudden, the proposed Eric Staal deal to Nashville is history.
For the ‘Canes, a trade with the Preds was the only real option to move Staal. It was speculated the captain would lift his no trade clause since the Predators are playoff and maybe Stanley Cup bound. Also, being in a similar market to Carolina would have made Nashville and enticing option for Staal. From an organizational standpoint, Nashville was the only team in the whole league that could have fit in Staal’s hefty contract relatively well and been willing to give back suitable compensation in the form of picks and players.
Rumors have been circling that Staal could be shipped to Montreal or even Minnesota. Neither of those teams, however, have great cap room, so Carolina would have to swallow a new contract or pay some of Staal’s. Of course a trade to these places still possible, but the potential return from those teams won’t be as high as it could have been with Nashville. The Predators were obviously desperate to acquire a center, so much so that they moved a franchise player in Jones. It’s hard to think of another team that would be able to do a trade like that with the Hurricanes. No one else on the trade market is that desperate for Staal.
Columbus was able to receive Seth Jones, perhaps the most prized young defenseman under the age of 22, for Johansen. An all-star last year, Johansen certainly has the potential to be a fantastic center iceman for the next decade. However, he is unproven and shown signs of laziness this season. The return was great for the Blue Jackets. One would have to think that Eric Staal, even past his prime, would have fetched at the minimum the same return as Johansen, likely more. Unfortunately, that opportunity is gone now. Without even being a part of the deal, Carolina comes out of this trade a terrible loser. With no one else able to even put forth worthy offers for Staal, the team is left holding on to him until free agency. Staal most likely leaves Carolina for nothing now, unless they can come to terms on a contract extension.
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If there is one positive for the Hurricanes, it’s that the market for a number one center is set. So, if somehow a deal does get done with an unlikely suitor, Carolina should expect a fool’s ransom for their captain. However, they probably missed to their window. The Hurricanes will get to think about what could have been as they play Seth Jones and Blue Jackets on both Friday and Saturday.