Carolina Hurricanes: Should they trade Victor Rask?

With the Carolina Hurricanes playing better than they have done in years right now, there has never been a better time for the team to make moves ahead of the trade deadline. Rather than trade Micheal Ferland or Dougie Hamilton, should the team instead move Victor Rask?

Don’t look now, but our Carolina Hurricanes remain in great form, despite last night’s disappointing loss to the New York Rangers. Seven wins in nine games have put them seven points out of a wildcard spot, with two games in hand on Montreal, who are eight point ahead of the Canes. We’ve asked in recent weeks whether the Canes should be buyers or sellers – but regardless of that loaded question, should they look to move pivot Victor Rask?

Why would we trade him?

Victor Rask was once a top six forward for the Carolina Hurricanes. The key word there being ‘was’. After notching 21-27-48 in 2015/16 and following up with 16-29-45 in 2016/17, Rask’s production dipped significantly last season to just 14-17-31. This season, Rask’s play has nosedived; he has just one goal and five assists in 26 GP, is running at 4.7% less than his previous career-low on the faceoff dot, and his Corsi For % (which the Canes are known for excelling in) is just 46.9%, more than 3% lower than his previous career-worst.

All in all, he’s been a shadow of his former self this season, and he’s under contract to the tune of $4m per season until the end of the 2021/22 season. He’s also living on borrowed time, as the Carolina Hurricanes have Jordan Staal to return from IR – and there’s no question that Staal warrants a place on this team ahead of Rask.

Should the Carolina Hurricanes trade Victor Rask? The answer is an unequivocal YES.

Is there a market?

That’s a tough one to answer. In theory, there should be plenty of teams who would take a chance on Rask returning to 45 point form, and would see the $4m AAV as a fair return for that level of production.

The reality is that in a cap league, Rask has more value to teams near the bottom of the league’s pay structure than those near the top. Contenders and playoff hopefuls look to make every cent count; teams like Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey and Philadelphia are far more likely to consider acquiring Rask as a project than teams like St Louis, Florida or Dallas, all of whom are actively looking to make changes to rescue their floundering seasons.

What value would Victor Rask have?

At this stage, Rask’s value is at an all-time low. We’re not going to be receiving quality draft picks or prospects, particularly with that salary attached to him. A return of a middling AHL prospect, in the 22-24 year old bracket, or a 5th/6th round draft pick would likely be the best Don Waddell could scrounge for Rask, despite his recent improved play. It’s even more likely that Rask wouldn’t garner a return at all, and would be claimed on waivers. Even if that is the best the Canes can get for him, they should.

With expensive contracts for Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen and Micheal Ferland to negotiate, and Scott Darling’s albatross of a contract still on the books, it really doesn’t matter what the return is for Rask – simply trade him for whatever the team can get, and open up that spot for Jordan Staal to return to the lineup. The Carolina Hurricanes will be much better on the ice for the move, and even better off the ice financially for it.

If there is any chance at all of moving Victor Rask’s contract, Don Waddell should take it. $4m per season on a guy who can’t perform in a bottom six role is a luxury the Carolina Hurricanes can’t afford – the Canes should cut bait on Rask, thank him for his service, and utilise that cap space to pay Micheal Ferland whatever the heck he likes.