The NHL season is approaching and no one is looking forward to it more than the Carolina Hurricanes and Caniacs around the globe. NHL rosters are just about determined but many teams have some tinkering to do with roster management.
The Hurricanes are not excluded from this group as they are currently very deep in several positions, including the defensive group. One would think that Don Waddell is working the phones to move out a roster player or two before training camp.
The obvious player is Brett Pesce after all the rumors in the off-season and the fact that Pesce is entering the final year of his contract, as is his defensive partner, Brady Skjei.
If you are unfamiliar with the situation in Boston this off-season, the Bruins traded Taylor Hall to the Chicago Blackhawks and had two important players retire Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.
This is a Bruins team that won the President’s Trophy last season but was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers.
The major additions up front this summer have been James van Riemsdyk and Milan Lucic. Needless to say, this team is in need of help in the forward position. With little cap space, it will be a challenge but could the Canes depth make them a trade partner with Boston?
Carolina is also strapped with cash as they are close to the salary cap ceiling but are in better shape than the Bruins with just below a million in space. The Bruins have just below half a million in space.
If another team with cap space become involved in a trade, the Bruins could be in the market for a player like Teuvo Teravainen. Teravainen is entering the last year of his contract and had an off year last year.
Still, the Finnish forward is just 28 years old and has consistently been a 60-point producer. His versatility would be welcome in Boston and it would allow the Canes front office some relief before Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas become restricted free agents, in store for salary increases.