Remembering The Biggest Trade Deadlines in Hurricanes History: The Dark Days Begin

2014

While it was initially supposed to happen the year prior, the league underwent a serious shuffle in 2013-14 with the divisions realigning. As a member of the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes had new rivals to challenge. Unfortunately, this meant it was going to be an uphill climb. By the deadline, the Canes were six points out of a playoff spot and needed to jump a bunch of teams.

The team opted to sell off another player, sending Tuomo Ruutu to new division rival New Jersey for Andrei Loktionov and a 3rd Round pick in 2017. Ruutu, whose production had fallen considerably after the lockout, scored eight points in 19 games to finish the season. He remained with the Devils for two more seasons, scoring just 14 points in 110 games. Loktionov outproduced Ruutu once he arrived, scoring ten points in 20 games, but this would be the end of his North American career as he returned to Russia in the offseason.

The Canes had to wait to use the pick they received, but they finally used it in 2017. With the 67th pick, the team selected Morgan Geekie. We saw him make his debut in 2020, and he started his career in a big way. On March 8 in Pittsburgh, Geekie recorded two goals and an assist in a 6-2 win over the Penguins. Two days later, he scored again. COVID-19 would effectively end his hot streak as the league shut down after his second game. His tenure with the team lasted 38 games before being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft.