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Carolina Hurricanes: Best Trades of the First Ten Years

By Jeb Bohn

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Carolina Hurricanes’ Scott Walker (24) puts the game-winning shot past Boston Bruins’ Dennis Wideman (6) and Tim Thomas (30) during overtime action in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston Massachusetts, Thursday May 14, 2009. The Canes defeated the Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Scott Walker (24) puts the game-winning shot past Boston Bruins’ Dennis Wideman (6) and Tim Thomas (30) during overtime action in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston Massachusetts, Thursday May 14, 2009. The Canes defeated the Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

Carolina Hurricanes acquire Mike Commodore from the Calgary Flames for 69th Overall Pick in 2005 (Gord Baldwin)

Commodore was a fan-favorite during his time with the Hurricanes.  After losing in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals by one goal in Game 7 (to Cory Stillman and the Tampa Bay Lightning), Commodore became a champion with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.

Carolina Hurricanes acquire Scott Walker from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Josef Vasicek

The late Josef Vasicek was a fixture with the Hurricanes in the early ’00s, leading the team in scoring for the 2003-04 season.  Walker brought a rough and tumble style to the Hurricanes, his mix of grit and offense best-remembered for scoring the Game 7 OT winner against the Boston Bruins in the 2009 Playoffs.

Final Thoughts

You’ll have to give me a moment, I’m still trying to cope with the fact that the Gelinas/McLean trade was 21 years ago.

Okay, I’m good.

Jim Rutherford was never afraid to swing for the fences with a trade.  Some (like those on this list) paid dividends for the Hurricanes while others (I’m looking at you Anson Carter and Jan Hlavac) bombed.

I’ll always remember the acquisitions of Weight and Recchi for the fact that I saw them as huge steps for this franchise.  As a veteran of the Black Curtain days, the idea of bringing in two established veterans for a Cup run seemed as foreign to me as a menu written in Sanskrit.

Related Story. Who Could Have a Breakout Season in 2019-20?. light

What trades from the 97-07 era stand out to you?  Are you a Black Curtain veteran?  If so, do you know Sanskrit?

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