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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Trades in Franchise History

By Matthew Nidiffer

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on March 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on March 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

5. Danny Markov for Justin Williams

Kicking off my list is the trade that would bring Justin Williams to Raleigh the first time around.

In 2004, the Carolina Hurricanes would trade defenseman Danny Markov to Philadelphia for Justin Williams, one-for-one. This trade would begin Justin Williams’ reign in Raleigh that would see him have the best two seasons in his entire career.

You read that correctly. In his first full season (2005-06) as a Carolina Hurricane, Justin Williams would put up 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points in 82 games played (his career best in both assists and points). It was no coincidence that the Carolina Hurricanes would go on to win the Stanley Cup in this very same season.

In Williams’ second full season (2006-07) with the Carolina Hurricanes, he’d notch 33 goals (his career best) and 34 assists for 67 points in 82 games played.

Sadly, Williams would miss a majority of the 2007-08 season due to injury, and would then be shipped out to the LA Kings the following season after 32 games.

Danny Markov, the piece the Canes shipped to Philadelphia for their first round of Williams, would play a total of 34 games for Philadelphia before being traded to the Nashville Predators. Markov would finish his NHL career after signing with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency. Markov would then go on to play 2 seasons in the KHL, and then officially retire.

The Carolina Hurricanes won this trade through and through. Markov at the time was seen as a tough, gritty defenseman, but the Carolina Hurricanes had that in excess at the time and moved him for a skilled, pure goalscorer in Williams; it more than paid off with a Stanley Cup in Williams’ first full season as a Cane.

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