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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 players would benefit from a change of scenery in Raleigh

ByAndrew Miller|
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers checks to see if his stick broke after a shot in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on December 3, 2016 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers checks to see if his stick broke after a shot in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on December 3, 2016 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 09: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers battles for position on the ice with Lee Stempniak #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on March 9, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 09: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers battles for position on the ice with Lee Stempniak #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on March 9, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

The second of two Rangers’ players on this list, the team’s captain defenseman Ryan McDonagh has a good chance of suiting up for a different team by season’s end. McDonagh has been the heart and soul of the Rangers defense in the past decade.

However, the Rangers are looking to get younger on the blue line, and dishing McDonagh would help them do that. On the other hand, Carolina is very young on defense, and needs a veteran voice to get them through times of adversity.

McDonagh is also accustomed to seeing playoff action every single year. That kind of urgency is exactly the mindset that Carolina’s locker room needs. And, while McDonagh would not carry the same role with the Canes as the Rangers, he could be just as valuable to the team.

Next: 10 fan bases more tortured in the NHL than the Carolina Hurricanes

Additional offensive producers from the defense are always welcome for the Canes, or any NHL team for that matter. He consistently produces at least 30 points per season, and has the ability to rack double digit goals. But, his main value for the Canes comes from leadership and defensive prowess.

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