Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Hurricanes Miss Out on Scoring Upgrade as Timo Meier Traded to Devils

By Harvey Ashner

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 07: General manager Don Waddell of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 07: General manager Don Waddell of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Carolina Hurricanes are in a prime position to make some moves to upgrade their roster. With a solid record so far this season, the Hurricanes are sitting in First place in the Metro Division.

However, they missed out on a potential scoring upgrade over the weekend as Timo Meier was traded to the New Jersey Devils.

With Meier now off the table, the Hurricanes will need to look elsewhere for potential trade targets and fast! Here are four players that have been rumored as potential targets for the Hurricanes to improve their team:

JT Miller

NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 21: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks stands behind the Nashville Predators net during the second period at Bridgestone Arena on February 21, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 21: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks stands behind the Nashville Predators net during the second period at Bridgestone Arena on February 21, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

The Hurricanes could consider pursuing Vancouver Canucks forward JT Miller. The 28-year-old has been having a strong season for the Canucks, with 20 goals and 34 assists in 59 games. He could provide a boost to the Hurricanes’ offense, which has been solid but could use some additional scoring punch. Miller has five more years left on his contract after this season, so he would be a long-term addition to the team.

Jakob Chychrun

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 10: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center on February 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 10: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center on February 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Another potential trade target for the Hurricanes is Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun. The 23-year-old blueliner has emerged as one of the Coyotes’ top players this season, with 7 goals and 21 assists in 36 games. He would provide some much-needed offensive production from the Hurricanes’ defense corps. Chychrun is signed through the 2024-25 season, so he would be a long-term addition to the team as well.

Vladislav Gavrikov

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 28: Vladislav Gavrikov #4 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shoots during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on January 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 28: Vladislav Gavrikov #4 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shoots during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on January 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

If the Hurricanes are looking for a defensive upgrade that won’t cost as much as Chychrun, they could consider Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. The 25-year-old Russian has been a steady presence on the Blue Jackets’ blueline this season, with 3 goals and 7 assists in 52 games. He would provide some stability and physicality to the Hurricanes’ defense corps. Gavrikov is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and could be re-signed if things work out.

Nick Schmaltz

TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period at Mullett Arena on February 22, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period at Mullett Arena on February 22, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images) /

The Hurricanes could also consider Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz as a potential trade target. The 25-year-old has had an up-and-down season for the Coyotes, with 17 goals and 22 assists in 43 games. However, he has shown flashes of offensive talent in the past and could provide some depth scoring for the Hurricanes. Schmaltz is signed through the 2025-26 season, so he would be a long-term addition to the team.

VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 13: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena on February 13, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 13: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena on February 13, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /

Brock Boeser

The Hurricanes could also look to add Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser to their lineup. The 24-year-old has been having a strong season for the Canucks, with 11 goals and 27 assists in 51 games. He would provide a significant boost to the Hurricanes’ offense and has shown in the past that he can be a dynamic scoring threat. Boeser is signed through the 2024-25 season, so he would be a medium-term addition to the team.

While the Hurricanes missed out on the opportunity to add Timo Meier to their roster, there are still several potential trade targets they could pursue to upgrade their

Home/Rumors