Early in the 2025-26 season, the Carolina Hurricanes are where everyone expected them to be. They're at the top of the Metropolitan Division, challenging for the best record in the Eastern Conference against the New Jersey Devils and a host of teams from the Atlantic Division, and are in the President's Trophy race with the Devils, Avalanche, and Stars, among others.
They've done this despite massive injuries, especially on the blue line to Jaccob Slavin, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Jalen Chatfield. While they're slowly getting bodies back into the lineup, there is the lingering unpredictability of the season that causes teams to be proactive when addressing their depth. Just look at the Canes last season, losing Chatfield and Sean Walker in the playoffs.
While the Canes are enjoying another good start, the same can't be said for others, leading to rampant speculation about what the future could hold for several players on non-contending teams. It's still very early in the season, and the trade deadline is over three months away, but the Canes are known to be aggressive, making early trades a possibility. Here are some places they could look.
Calgary Flames
After coming so close to the playoffs last season, the start of this season has been painful for the Calgary Flames. They own the fewest points in the league, sitting with just five wins and 13 points through 21 games, and the league's worst offense. It has turned them into immediate sellers, and they own a few big names who could be on the move.
Depending on who you ask, Rasmus Andersson is the top name on the board. He has wanted a trade for the better part of the summer, and he might get his wish sooner rather than later. Andersson is a right-shot defender in the final year of his contract, so he could be valuable as both a rental and a long-term piece, should a team wish to extend him.
Calgary also has a pair of coveted forwards in their midst. Blake Coleman has one year left on his deal, and he'd bring known playoff pedigree with a pair of Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021. The least likely to move of the trio is Nazem Kadri. He has three years left on his deal, but he plays with an edge that teams might be willing to take a risk on despite his age and -15 this season.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are another team with a few stars who could be on the move after their slow start. At the top of the list is captain Brayden Schenn. Off to one of the worst stars of his career, Schenn has just six points in 20 games and is a -14. With two years left at $6.5 million and a 15-team No-Trade Clause on his contract, I'm not sure whether Raleigh is a preferred destination for him.
Another Blue with the same cap hit and clause in their contract is a defenseman who is familiar with the city. Justin Faulk began his career in Raleigh before being traded to St. Louis before the 2019-20 season. With 1,000 games under his belt, Faulk could be on the block. As a right-shot with skill on both sides of the puck, could the Hurricanes try for a reunion? It's doubtful, but it could happen.
The big catch is Jordan Kyrou, and it would be crazy to think the Hurricanes haven't already sniffed around to gauge what it might take. Kyrou is locked up through the 2030-31 season at $8.13 million with a full No-Trade Clause, but his healthy scratch earlier this season has stoked a few fires. The price to get him would be high, but his cap hit with the rising cap could be too tempting to pass up.
Nashville Predators
What looked like a stellar free agency class last summer has turned into a nightmare situation for the Nashville Predators. After woefully underperforming a season ago, they're in almost the same spot this season. Now, they're open for business, with most of their top-end talent seemingly up for grabs, which could interest the Hurricanes.
Steven Stamkos hasn't been on the same level since his departure from the Lightning. With an $8 million cap hit for three more years and a No-Movement Clause, there probably aren't many teams willing to take on the full hit of his deal. The same is also probably true for Jonathan Marchessault, who, while only getting $5.5 million per season, has one more year left on his deal than Stamkos.
The real sweepstakes is for Ryan O'Reilly. With one year left at $4.5 million, no add-ons to his deal, and a proven track record, O'Reilly would be a massive addition. However, I think Nashville covets him so much that it would take a ton to pry him away. The same could be said for Filip Forsberg, though the chances of him being sent anywhere seem incredibly small. That goes for Juuse Saros, too.
It still feels a little too early for a deal to be made. I'd look for something to happen in January or February before the March deadline. Over the next month or two, the trade market is certain to become a little more defined, with teams in the mix falling and teams currently outside potentially making a run for it. You can bet that the Carolina Hurricanes will be right in the thick of it.