The Carolina Hurricanes were able to make the playoffs last season due to a phenomenal offseason with key additions. Will the Canes pursue a trade with a familiar team to become a championship contender?
The offseason is finally upon us and the Carolina Hurricanes are already back in the rumor mill. According to mynhltraderumors.com, Forward Jason Zucker is looking to get traded and the Canes are heavily interested.
This should come as no surprise as Zucker was pursued by the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline this past season. Obviously the two sides were unable to strike on a deal for the forward, however the question remains; What will the Canes need to give up in order to land Zucker?
Well, Zucker was able to produce 42 points on 81 games played this past season. As recent as last season, he was able to put up 64 points with 33 goals. He was also able to produce 7 power play goals in each of his last two seasons. To put that in perspective, Justin Williams was the Canes leader in power play goals this past season with 9.
This past season, the Carolina Hurricanes had the 12th worst power play percentage in the entire NHL with a percentage of 17.8. This means that only 17.8% of the time, the Canes were able to score on a power play. It isn’t horrible, but its certainly not a deal maker added to their resume. The Canes struggled in the playoffs due to inadequate performance from the special teams. Don Waddell will need to address this issue during the offseason.
Zucker would be the perfect fit to begin helping the Canes Power play. Zucker can provide elite goal scoring, power play ability, and veteran experience all at the age of 27 with four years left on his contract.
Jason Zucker is almost surely going to be traded in the next few weeks, and a legit market for the Wild winger seems to be taking shape:https://t.co/WG3YySEEGv
— FanSided (@FanSided) June 9, 2019
There is also the question of Micheal Ferland being resigned as well. If the Carolina Hurricanes do not resign him, then that leads an open forward spot to be taken. The Canes have a lot of options coming from the AHL, but Zucker is a proven player that could become a top 6 forward in Raleigh.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at what I think could land Zucker in Raleigh.
Option 1
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Jason Zucker, 2019 Minnesota Wild third round pick
Minnesota Wild receive: Justin Faulk
The Canes have a surplus of defenders and Justin Faulk has seen his name in trade rumors countless times now. The reason why this trade would make sense is because the Wild need a Defense man and it can be argued that the Canes need another top 9 forward especially with the potential departure of Micheal Ferland.
Faulk had a good season in Raleigh and likely has seen his trade value grow compared to last season. He was able to produce 35 points and 6 goals on the power play this past season. However, I think the Canes should also consider keeping Faulk as he was able to score on the power play and proved to be key in helping the Canes make the playoffs this year.
The Canes would also be receiving a third round pick in this deal due to Faulks increasing value. The pick would add to what already is one of the most impressive farm systems in the entire NHL.
Option 2
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Jason Zucker, 2019 Minnesota Wild First or second round pick
Minnesota Wild receive: Dougie Hamilton
Dougie Hamilton was phenomenal in his first season with the Hurricanes. He produced 39 points as well as finished 4th on the team in hits (160). Dougie’s slap-shot was lethal during the season and he helped the Canes reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. So why trade him?
With the potential of Micheal Ferland leaving the team, the Canes are down an enforcer. Dougie Hamilton wasn’t exactly one of the teams enforcers this past year. By trading Dougie to Minnesota, it gets the Canes a forward that will replace Dougie’s point production, while also allowing them to receive an early draft pick as well as opening the opportunity for a new Defenseman that can be an enforcer.
Option 3
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Jason Zucker
Minnesota Wild receive: Nicolas Roy, Calvin De haan
I think if the Canes can pull this trade off, this would be their best option. The Canes should try to hold on to Hamilton and Faulk if they can. Nicolas Roy is a promising prospect that the Wild should happily take. De Haan is a defensive-defenseman that would help salaries match and also complete the need of a defenseman in Minnesota.
The Canes may need to throw in a draft pick for this trade to work, but I think it would absolutely be worth it. Not only do the canes get a top 9 forward with 30+ goal potential. They also open a defenseman spot that Haydn Fleury or Jake Bean could take advantage of.
The Canes have the entire offseason to plan how to get to the Stanley Cup. Trading for Zucker could be the first move in pulling that off.
Question for CC readers: Who would you trade for Jason Zucker?