The playoff chase may be ramping up, but with eyes still on the future, we take a swing at the likelihood the Carolina Hurricanes acquire Marcus Kruger.
Perhaps it is a little odd to be discussing potential trades in the weeks leading up to the playoffs. After all, the deadline recently closed and the off season doesn’t begin till June. But, here I am and I can’t help but notice something. The Carolina Hurricanes should really consider trading for Marcus Kruger.
Yes, I am well aware this isn’t the splash that many Canes fans are expecting this summer. With boatloads of picks, prospects, and cap space, Ron Francis can do almost anything. And hey, that might still happen, but this is a trade worth serious consideration.
The Hurricanes and Blackhawks have had a pretty lively trade history of late. First in September 2015, the two clubs agreed on a deal that brought Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom to Carolina. That was then followed up less than a year later with Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell coming over via a Chicago cap dump.
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This hypothetical trade involving Marcus Kruger would be the third such move in Chicago’s endless pursuit of more cap space. Kruger’s $3.1 million cap hit is something Chicago can no longer afford. Although his experience is invaluable, his production isn’t. Kruger’s career high is only 28 points in a season. That’s simply not worth the money from a Chicago perspective.
Insert Ron Francis and his really apparent crush on Blackhawk players. Thanks to those earlier deals and Carolina’s surplus of tradeable pieces, this trade will literally write itself. Here is a look at what it would look like.
The Trade’s Details
Essentially this is the Teravainen deal all over again. Carolina takes on a bad contract (sort of), but also acquires a killer prospect in Alex DeBrincat. Going the other direction are two top 90 picks (which is what Chicago got for Bickell/Teravainen).
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The Hawks leave this deal a little bummed since they lose Kruger. However, its worth it since they get to try and resign Richard Panik who is due an extension and raise. Plus, they’d pocket a few more picks. All things considered, its a good return.
Francis and the Carolina Hurricanes end up thrilled. Marcus Kruger becomes a more skilled and more exemplary version of Jay McClement. Carolina adds a two-time Stanley Cup Champion to their bottom six. Kruger becomes a sturdy backbone for what projects to be a young group of forwards next fall.
Additionally, the Canes also nab one of Chicago’s best prospects in DeBrincat. The Hurricanes have been starved of goals in recent years and all DeBrincat does is score. Seriously, the kid has 3 straight 50 goal seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, including a mind boggling 65 this year. Sure, he’s undersized but this sniper would be a welcomed addition to the organization.
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Only time will tell if this happens. It would be a great move for Ron Francis to make. It would solidify the Hurricanes’ bottom six and give them a great chance to be a real deep team team next season. Surely the Carolina Hurricanes have to be looking to acquire Kruger this off season.