Carolina Hurricanes: Best Trades of the First Ten Years

Trades are an exciting part of NHL fandom.  From gearing up for a playoff run to cutting ties with an underperforming talent and everything in between, let’s take a look at the best trades that the Carolina Hurricanes made in their first decade.

Something’s missing.

Sometimes you can put your finger on it, other times it’s more subtle.  Regardless of the cause, it becomes obvious that your team needs a change.  During the season, attempts may be made to fix the issue by recalling players from the minors, making a waiver claim, or taking a chance on an unsigned player.

More often, change comes via the trade route.  Once preseason expectations morph into harsh reality, general managers are left to supplement their roster by either betting that their team is a piece or two away from contention or waving the white flag and looking towards the future.

Before the newly christened Carolina Hurricanes took the ice in 1997, GM Jim Rutherford pulled the trigger on five trades, two of which we’ll examine here.  Over the franchise’s first ten years in North Carolina, Rutherford completed 74 trades, some masterstrokes, some misfires.

Sit back, relax, and join me in this retrospective of the best trades that the Carolina Hurricanes made over their first ten years.