Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency Preview: Defenseman

Torey Krug

Torey Krug is an interesting name because he once attended the Carolina Hurricanes’ Rookie Camp back in 2011. A camp that included several names from Hurricanes past like Victor Rask, Ryan Murphy, and current Leafs’ goaltender Frederik Andersen, among others.

As an undrafted player any team had a chance to sign him out of Michigan State. Finishing his Junior season as a Hobey Baker Award finalist (best college player), Carolina reportedly offered him a contract. As we all know, he ended up opting to sign with the Boston Bruins instead, but the interested was mutual between Krug and Carolina according to Torey himself.

Flash forward almost a decade later, he has become a key member of the Bruins blueline. Good for 40+ points in each of seven full seasons in the NHL, Krug is going to be looking for a big pay day, and at 28 years old, he could very well price himself out of Boston.

Clearly a solid top four guy, aside from size, the biggest knock on him is his injury concerns. Yet to play a full 82 game regular season, he missed some time yet again this year with an upper body injury. His health history may be a big turn off for some clubs, as it’s often an indicator of whats to come in the back half of a massive deal.

On the power play Krug is an assist machine. In just 61 games thus far this season, has 28 points on the man advantage as a defenseman. He would be a huge get for Carolina here, as they often seem to be in the need for help on the PP.

With Slavin, Skjei, Gardiner, and Haydn Fleury all left shot D there doesn’t seem to be much of a fit here either. He will likely come with a hefty price tag, making him a luxury the Canes can’t afford. Like Pietrangelo, should Carolina have even the slightest interest in signing him to a deal, several corresponding moves would have to take place to make it work.

While it would be interesting to say the least to see Krug dawn the Hurricanes crest, that ship more than likely has sailed back in 2012.