Carolina Hurricanes: Exploring a Few Potential Trade Options This Off-Season

2 of 4

TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 15: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by his teammate, Vincent Trocheck #16 after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 15, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes still have moves they can make in the offseason.

The Carolina Hurricanes desperately need a top 6 winger, and with moves already starting to get underway, who could the Canes acquire to address their needs?

Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of these. Even so, I enjoy exploring the trade rumors and then getting yelled at for suggesting the idea. It’s a very love-hate relationship here. However, I enjoy it so thank you for coming back to yell at me… I think? I don’t know, so let’s dive into the Hurricanes related thing yo*/*u’ve all come here for!

Silly season has begun. With Montreal already making trades with St Louis, and Toronto sending wingers out to Pittsburgh, and rumors being thrown from every corner of the league about almost everyone. So, let’s take a little look at some of the forwards who are being linked with an exit from their current clubs and see if the Hurricanes can find themselves an improvement in theory.

Now, I’m not going to cherry-pick players from the league as a whole. I will be using a combination of TSN’s trade bait board and Sportsnet’s 25 trade candidates to address those that are truthfully available. Now, of the 45 total names on each list, I have done previous articles referring to a few of them, and they will not be included. If you wish to see someone like that, feel free to search the site.

There is also one player I plan to do a completely separate piece on. But you will have to find out who that is when it’s done. Referring to the players in this article, I will not be addressing anyone who is a pending unrestricted free agent. That means no Mikael Granlund. Everyone here will be under contract for next year or a restricted free agent.

Before I can dive into the potential additions, someone would need to come out of the top 6, and I don’t think there’s any hiding that it’s Nino Niederreiter. El Nino didn’t exactly reach the heights he set for himself when he was acquired from the Minnesota Wild last January. However, seeing that changing locations often puts a spark into the game of the Swiss winger, he may yet still be a desirable piece in a deal to acquire a better player.

Nino did record 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 68 games this year. It’s not a horrible title for a player of Nino’s caliber, but it’s not the 57 point pace when he first joined the Canes last year. So using the idea that what players are around who would improve the scoring output in that 2nd line winger spot for the Carolina Hurricanes heading into next season? Let’s get looking then, shall we?

Brendan Gallagher

Will Gallagher find his new home in Carolina?

If you got the pun, I’m not sorry.

This is going to be hated by every single Montreal Canadien fan that reads this and I love it. But after extension talks between Brendan Gallagher and the Habs broke down, perhaps moving Gallagher could be in the best interest of both sides. I know this is someone who is beloved by Montreal fans the world over, but this is strictly theoretical.

So why does it make sense for Montreal to move on from Gallagher? Ideally, it doesn’t. But it’s better to get something to for him than lose him for nothing, and with Montreal looking like they’re not going to be competitive with the big three in the Atlantic still reigning supreme, perhaps moving the Edmonton native is what’s best for the Canadiens organization.

Now, why would Carolina be interested in Gallagher? Well, for one, he’s a great net-front presence. His ability to screen goalies and bang goals in from the garbage areas out in front is second-to-none. He’s like a miniature Justin Williams in that aspect. He’s got a good ability to tip pucks and force goaltenders to make a save.

The major reason for any acquisition of Gallagher though would have to be his production. After tallying back to back 30 goal seasons, Gallagher was on pace to do that again this year with 22 goals through 59 games. However, the most impressive factor is that he has this production at no detriment to his playmaking and his consistency with it.

Since his rookie season, Gallagher has only had 2 seasons with less than 20 assists and in both cases, he recorded 19. His career-high for assists is 23, which he’s done twice. He’s the epitome of consistency in regards to his playmaking, and the fact he does this with the ability to bang in goals and score 30 or more in a season makes him a very desirable piece for any contending team.

Another desirable factor about him is that he’s a rental. 1 year of money isn’t going to make a major difference to a team in the long run if he doesn’t transition well from Quebec to Carolina. At 3,750,000 for this year alone, it’s very easily placed lower down the lineup if he doesn’t sit so well with the likes of the captain.

So, how would Carolina go about acquiring the winger? To be honest, I don’t know if it’s possible. Montreal’s major need is top 6 forwards, and Gallagher is just that. I’d imagine any deal would need to include either a 2021 1st round pick or Ryan Suzuki to play alongside his brother Nick Suzuki in Montreal. On top of that, more picks and prospects. He’s not going to be cheap.

Gallagher also has a habit of being able to annoy people. Being a pest, and just being a great agitator. Getting under people’s skin, annoying people and especially unsettling goalies is his specialty. With his leadership by example and his production elsewhere, there’s no denying he’d be a great fit into the Carolina top 6 and there are now reasons to believe he could be on the move.

Alexander Kerfoot

Could the Carolina Hurricanes use Alexander Kerfoot?

This will not be someone who stands out as a potential target for a lot of teams, but it is clear that Alexander Kerfoot has a lot of potential in terms of scoring. He will primarily be known by Leaf fans for being part of that Nazem Kadri trade that backfired so brutally. Now that the Maple Leafs seem desperate for cap space, Kerfoot is rumored to be a player they’re actively shopping to meet the stagnant cap.

I know what you’re probably thinking. Only 3 seasons in the NHL and he’s 26? Why would you waste your time? Kerfoot has produced at the highest level. Even in a reduced role this year playing on the 3rd line, he was on pace to record 10 goals and 30 points in a down year. Not ground-breaking numbers. But I ask you to look over his entire career. One bad year doesn’t make a bad player.

Alexander Kerfoot has the opportunity to step up.

And we have confidence that he will. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/dNRTPiagbo
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 9, 2018

In his two seasons in the Mile High City, Kerfoot recorded 19 goals and 43 points in his first season. In his second season, 15 goals with 47 total points. He is someone who can score. His defensive game is also very nice to have when. Could you suggest a better alternative? Certainly. I’m not claiming Kerfoot to be a world-beater. I’m suggesting him to be a nice depth scoring piece.

How could Carolina land the man who once turned down the New Jersey Devils? Well, simply put, a draft pick. A 3rd rounder should be enough to pick up the Vancouver native. Could he re-invent the wheel in Carolina and become a point per game producer? Probably not. Is he someone who could do the job in the top 6 and could come at a cheap price from a cash strapped team? Yes.

A trade with Toronto here for Kerfoot could likely be compared to the trade with Vegas last off-season when Carolina tried to fill another hole in the forward core. I would not rule out the possibility of seeing a similar deal made with the Maple Leafs if they are still strapped for cap space when free agency rolls around.

Kerfoot isn’t someone who’s going to snap his fingers and suddenly make the Canes a juggernaut. I don’t think you’re going to find anyone in the NHL who will do that who’s going to be an acquirable trade target. However, playing on the left of the 2nd line, or even the 3rd line could see a significant addition to the lineup in terms of production. Not mind-boggling numbers, just reliable depth.

Kyle Palmieri

Does Kyle Palmieri make an interesting pull for the Carolina Hurricanes?

Kyle Palmieri often divides opinion in terms of his talent. At 29 years of age, and entering the final year of his contract, Palmieri has reasons to make the acquisition and reasons to back away from the New Jersey Devil. For one, his production seems to be outstanding, but you have to remember the inflated ice time he would get being on a weaker team in a bloodbath division.

Before I get too far, yes internal division trades are difficult to execute. There’s likely going to have to be a slight overpayment to encourage a team to trade a quality player to a division rival. With both the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes being Metropolitan division teams, the difficulties of making a trade work are exaggerated because you never want to see a rival succeed.

Palmieri tallied 45 points in the form of 20 goals and 25 assists in 65 games in New Jersey this year. Say what you will about the Devils, Palmieri has remained one of the lone bright spots in a rather stagnant franchise. He’s recorded 132 goals and 117 assists for 249 points as a New Jersey Devil up to this point in 363 games. Not world-beating numbers, but nothing to bat an eyelid at.

Palmieri makes 4,250,000 in terms of actual money with a 4,650,000 cap hit. When you’re in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and cashflow is an issue for teams, the fact he’s so cheap in the final year of his contract might be more of an incentive than other years. Although this should not be a decisive factor, it’s something to keep in mind when discussing the former Anaheim Duck.

More from Cardiac Cane

What would it take to get Kyle Palmieri? Likely, futures judging by the state of the current state of the New Jersey Devils hockey club. Something like Jake Bean or the 2021 1st to build the package around. It is important to note not both. Palmieri is not someone who can be acquired for pennies on the dollar as he is far too good a player. However, TSN does report that New Jersey could look to move him.

If Palmieri came to Carolina, I’d expect him to slot into the 2nd line on the wing. With the SAT line almost being set in stone, Palmieri would be an ideal 2nd line winger to slot in alongside Martin Necas and Vincent Trocheck as a great 2nd line. It also allows the Canes to re-shuffle the depth and plays a stronger bottom 6 with more scoring options, which makes the team all-around better.

Something else to consider when looking at a trade for Palmieri is that (as I previously mentioned) he is a rental. His 4,650,000 cap hit comes off the books at the end of the season. Not only are you committing to the reduced salary payment in comparison to the cap hit, but there are no long term payments required.

This could be an interesting acquisition for many reasons, and the fact that Palmieri is rumored to be on the move only adds fuel to the fire in terms of reasons to move him for New Jersey, In Carolina, Palmieri seems like a decent fit. Obviously, in this league, nothing is certain until it’s completed. But in theory, it seems like a hand and a glove.

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: Who would you like to see the Carolina Hurricanes trade for?

Next. Carolina adds to their defensive depth. dark

Home / Rumors