The Carolina Hurricanes are hurling towards the trade deadline with nothing serious to show while the rest of the competition makes their trades for them.
The world seems to be crashing down around the Carolina Hurricanes. So far they are treading water, staying afloat and enjoying the first wildcard spot after the Islanders got lost their fourth game in regulation in a row with a goal or less to show. The Blue Jackets are also in hot water losing six games in a row, taking only three loser points out of the ordeal.
Meanwhile the Carolina Hurricanes are still shopping for a defender as the trade deadline, now only four days away, comes sooner and sooner. All the same time, much of the competition is securing their missing pieces needed for a cup run, leaving the cupboards a little dry and the pickings slim.
There is no secret that the Hurricanes were going after guys like Brenden Dillon and Alec Martinez. But now both guys are off the board along with a slew of other defenders that Carolina could have picked up. Some were expensive, but others were pretty affordable.
Kings’ Alec Martinez went to the Vegas Golden Knights for a pair of second round draft picks, one in 2020, and another in 2021. While some would consider that to be a bit pricey for the veteran defender, it seems to be a fair trade for the most part considering Martinez has another year on his contract.
Sharks’ Brenden Dillon, a guy Carolina really wanted to try to get, went to their arch nemesis, the Washington Capitals for a 2020 second rounder belonging to Colorado and their 2021 third rounder with the caveat that if the Capitals win the cup, it becomes Arizona’s 2020 third round pick. That’s not going to happen.
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If it seems like the going price for somewhat decent defenders is about two picks, then you are on to something.
Marco Scandella went to the Blues from Montreal for a 2020 second and a 2021 fourth rounder. That is conditional to if Scandella either re-signs with the Blues or if the Blues win two playoff rounds with Scandella, who only has 20 games played this season because of injury, plays in at least half the games in those series.
Now for the most insane trade. The Winnipeg Jets acquired Dylan DeMelo for a whopping total of a third round draft pick in 2020. That’s it. That is the whole trade. No Caveats. One for one.
If you are thinking, “What the H-E-Double Hockey sticks? The Hurricanes could have afforded any of that, what were they waiting on?” You’re Not alone.
Devils’ Andy Greene went to the Islanders for prospect David Quenneville along with a 2021 second round pick. Although that might have been a high price for an aging UFA with only 11 points before the trade.
It still sets the tone that defenders are moving around and the Carolina Hurricanes cannot sit around and trade prospects with the Rangers again.
Luckily the market isn’t fully dried up. More teams are starting to see the fact that they simply aren’t going to make the playoffs and are starting to sell more.
Recently the team has inquired about Montreal Canadiens’ Jeff Petry. A decent defender with another year on his contract. The price however would be expectantly high as there are still plenty of other teams looking for defenders while the Habs might not be ready to deal Petry just yet. Are the Hurricanes bold enough to say enough is enough and pay just enough to get Petry?
Who knows. Well Waddell does. But that man is always playing chess at a higher level than anyone around him.
The last remaining question is; Do the Carolina Hurricanes jump into this arms race and grab the season and their playoff chances by the horns or do they stand pat and hope the current roster has what it takes to go the distance?
I personally hope its the former.