Hurricanes Expansion Draft Partners

Now that the NHL season is over let the fun begin. What will the Expansion Draft have in store for the Canes?

Unless you haven’t been paying attention lately, the NHL is going to have a four day Chinese fire drill.  Because of the expansion draft all NHL teams are having to leave key players exposed.

This is actually a good plan for building the Vegas Golden Knights.  For some it’s a good thing but for others it causes big problems.  The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the teams in the good position.  Teams like Chicago, Minnesota, Nashville and NY Islanders are having to find dance partners to trade or lose good players for nothing.

So I have decided to come up with my Carolina dirty laundry list to help some of our fellow expansion strapped teams.

Justin Faulk

If you have been pay attention recently to the NHL channel I would bet you’re getting sick of hearing the Justin Faulk trade rumors. I have taken notes on New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and a few others.  But would this trade really make sense even if Carolina was to get a top line Center in exchange.  I believe not, I don’t think GM Ron Francis is really wanting to get rid of his highest scoring and hardest shot defensemen.

Noah Hanifin

This one came up this past weekend.  I did find this rumor to be interesting to say the least.  Noah Hanifin has now had two years as a pro.  He has not shown as much offensive potential as his draft expectations claimed.  Many still think he is a bottom third line D-men.  I personally couldn’t believe they didn’t send him to Charlotte for his first season but what do I know.

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Eyes On Isles

For most of the last season he was more of a liability then an asset.  It wasn’t until the Ron Hainsey Trade did he really start showing improvement.  This could be a nice trade for the Hurricanes given they have so much talent waiting in the wings.  Hanifin is still regarded as a good #1 pick.  Many teams in need of defensemen wouldn’t mind taking a chance on this talents getting better. Remember he is just 21 yrs old.

Let’s Play Make a Deal

Behind Door #1

The rumors about Carolina and Colorado Avalanche haven’t died down much since earlier this offseason.  Jeff Skinner’s play at the World Championships with line partners Matt Duchene and at times Gabriel Landeskog were interesting.  It was like Skinner was getting a chance to kick the tires on maybe a future linemates.  There is still a good chance this trade will occur but it doesn’t have to happen this week.  The Hurricanes with their bundle of draft pics might be able to wait until then and get a much better price.  If it does happen this week, I would bet a Charlotte defensemen would be the going price.

Behind Door #2

The Chicago Blackhawks.  That right, who would think that GM Ron Francis and Stan Bowman haven’t been talking weekly.  I bet they do that anyways. But everyone knows that the Blackhawks are again in a desperate shedding of cash mode.   This time there are rumblings of a more drastic change due to the first round loss to the Predators.  Rumors about a Core Player being traded are getting louder.

Although I like how some of the articles flash Patrick Kane’s name and put his picture at the top it’s just a fantasy.  But wouldn’t it be nice to see Kane come to the Hurricanes even with that big 10M contract.

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But I digress, who else would GM Stan Bowman come running to first?  GM Ron Francis of course.  Carolina makes a great trade partner for Chicago because of not sharing a conference and plus the long family relationship with Ron Francis (ie 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins).  There is even a chance that Chicago could get Teravianen back for a good price.  Just please don’t let it be Marian Hossa.

The Grand Prize Behind Door #3

Many have hopes and dreams that just won’t happen.  Mine is that Pittsburgh after being satisfied with two Stanley Cups needs to cut cost.  Seeing that we have our future Goalie in Scott Darling and Marc-Andre Fleury is content to play out his career in Las Vegas. Who is left for Pittsburgh to shed for cash reasons?  There is no way Sid or Evgeni Malkin would go is there? Nah.. That leaves Phil Kessel.

Why Phil Kessel

I have always like Kessel due to his rebel like attitude (especially about practicing).  Kessel would be a big time fit in Carolina too.  He loves to fish, Hunt and really is nothing more than a hockey playing Redneck.  And just think Phil playing with Sea Bass (Sebastian Aho).  There is also a chance that GM Ron Francis goes big this offseason and lands one of the Colorado boys and Phil Kessel.

Next: Predicting Who the Canes Draft in the 1st Round

Like I said, Door #3 is usually the month supply of detergent type prize not the really what makes you hockey rich prize. But this time of year it’s ok to dream.  Good luck to GM Ron Francis and the Carolina Hurricanes this week and thank for the memories Lee Stempniak.