If there's one agreed-upon hole that the Carolina Hurricanes should address before the trade deadline passes, it's their second-line center spot. Logan Stankoven has been fine this season, but there are still strides he needs to take before cementing himself there permanently. Fortunately, there is still time for him to develop.
In the short term, the Canes would be wise to look elsewhere for their playoff run this season. There might be a slight shortage in sellers, with many teams trying to stay afloat during one of the tightest races in recent memory in both conferences. The Hurricanes are firmly planted in the hunt for the top spot in the East, but they are far from a complete team.
The following are ten centers who could be available for trade this season. I think the likelihood of certain players getting moved is pretty small, but it's fun to theorize who could and couldn't find a new home before the March 6 deadline. I'm less concerned about their fit with the Hurricanes. Frankly, none of these players may make their way to Raleigh. It's all in good fun.
10. Morgan Frost, Calgary Flames
Getting this list to ten wasn't easy. Initially, I had Jonathan Toews listed at #10, but I changed my mind. It's not because I think Morgan Frost is necessarily going to be moved, but he would be a better option than Toews as a 2C. That being said, it's far from a perfect fit. Frost has just ten goals and 24 points for the Flames this season, giving him almost identical numbers to Logan Stankoven.
The biggest difference between Frost and Stankoven, other than physical size, is Frost's ability to win in the dot. Where Stankoven is winning 44.5 percent of the time, Frost is ten percent better. He's also been a bigger contributor on Calgary's power play, scoring ten points on the man advantage. Frost is probably not on the Canes' radar, but there could be some potential there.
9. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders
As long as the Islanders remain in the postseason hunt, I don't think it's likely they'll trade Jean-Gabriel Pageau, but a lot can change between now and early March. Pageau is another player who isn't having a great offensive season, but his acumen in the dot is stellar. He's seventh in the league in win percentage at 59.3 percent.
I wouldn't classify Pageau as a big threat on offense, topping out at 43 points in 2015-16 with a few more 40-point seasons sprinkled in. However, if you need a reliable man for the penalty kill, Pageau is your guy. He's tied for the league lead in short-handed points (5), and he has 45 in his career. I think the Canes are set in that regard, but it never hurts to have more.
8. Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets
Spending your entire career with one team is becoming a dying art. Few players in the league manage to spend a long career without changing uniforms. Anze Kopitar and the Penguins' trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang come to mind. Boone Jenner has spent his entire 13-year career in Columbus, but the pending free agent could be available.
Now, while he has played center in the past at a very high level, he's been primarily used on the wing this season. Injuries have played a part in that, dressing for just 26 games last season and 37 this season. As a short-term rental, the Columbus captain could be a good pickup, but I'm not sure what Columbus's appetite to trade him would be.
7. Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators
Admittedly, I need to also put an asterisk next to Steven Stamkos when considering him a center. Historically, he has been. However, this season, like Jenner, most of his time has been on the wing. He has still taken over 300 face-offs this season, winning almost 56 percent. If push comes to shove, I think Stamkos could be used as the second-line center.
After an incredibly slow start to the season, Stamkos hasn't stopped scoring since mid-December. He has 17 goals in his last 22 games, including a four-goal game and another hat trick. He has eclipsed 600 goals and 1,200 points this season. Stamkos also has loads of postseason experience. He's probably not worth $8 million for another two seasons, so that might be a major deterrent.
6. Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames
There's a good reason that The Athletic has Nazem Kadri ranked as their top available center ahead of the trade deadline. Along with a Stanley Cup win and years playing at an elite level, Kadri is willing to do things that few players will. I don't believe the Flames want to trade him, nor do I think Raleigh is his preferred destination, but he would be an interesting addition to the Hurricanes.
Kadri is on pace for one of his worst offensive seasons in a while. He's yet to reach ten goals through 52 games, and his +/- (-23) is one of the worst in the NHL. The physicality in his game has been toned down quite a bit, but Kadri knows how to turn things up in the playoffs. The only real question is whether the Canes are prepared to take on $7 million for the next three years.
5. Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues
If you look at his numbers this season, there is probably a giant "STAY AWAY" sign next to them because Brayden Schenn is not having a good season. He has just 20 points in 52 games and is an abysmal -26, which is the third worst in the league. It probably wouldn't be worth bringing him in, and especially not for $6.5 million for two more years.
However, I think Schenn might actually be a good fit for the Hurricanes' system, especially in the playoffs. He's a physical, veteran presence that will throw his body around. Don't let his number this season fool you. Schenn can score points. He is also much improved in the face-off circle, winning 54 percent this season.
4. Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
If the St. Louis Blues showed even the slightest indication that they would be willing to part with Robert Thomas, he would probably be #1 or #2 on this list. All signs point to him staying with the Blues, unless the Blues receive an exuberant offer to snag him. While the Canes could likely do that, it doesn't mean they should, especially if Alexander Nikishin is what it could cost them.
After back-to-back 80-point seasons, Thomas only has 33 points this season, though it's still enough to lead the Blues. He's another player locked in for several more seasons, making $8.125 million through 2031. That's part of the reason the Blues are hesitant to part with him. While they aren't likely to make the playoffs this year, they aren't willing to pass up on their future, nor should they be.
3. Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators aren't very far outside of the Wild Card picture in the Western Conference. They sit just three points back, but there are a few teams in their general vicinity, making it more likely that they'll sell at the deadline. Ryan O'Reilly is their top trade asset, and I think the Hurricanes would be crazy not to consider him.
At 34 years old, O'Reilly is on pace to threaten his career high in points, with 50 in 51 games thus far. He checks a lot of the boxes you'd like in an acquisition. He has a history of being a good defender. He won the Conn Smythe with St. Louis in 2019 and has been about a point per game in the postseason throughout his career. He's good in the dot. There isn't much that O'Reilly can't do well.
2. Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
I've already talked about the idea of re-acquiring Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers, and I think it makes perfect sense for him to be on the Hurricanes' radar. He has been one of the few Rangers to consistently produce this season, and his familiarity with the Hurricanes' system makes him an ideal candidate to return to the 2C spot in the lineup.
He is reliable on both ends of the ice, he's one of the best players in the dot, and his cap hit over the next three seasons is very manageable. I don't think it'll cost the team too much to trade for him. When they first traded for him in 2020, it cost them a roster player and three prospects. At 32 years old, it might be a roster player, a good prospect, and a pick or two.
1. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
In terms of skill and long-term benefits, Elias Pettersson would be the most ideal addition for the Hurricanes. The only issue is that it would be the most expensive option on the market. The 27-year-old is in the second year of an eight-year extension at $11.6 million per season. He's coming off the worst season of his career, but his numbers have improved a little this season.
I'm not as concerned about his ability to adapt to this Canes' style. He's usually responsible on the defensive end, earning some Selke votes throughout his career. I think the package to snag him is going to be the biggest hurdle. The Canes have the combination of roster players, prospects, draft picks, and cap space to get it done. He would be a massive addition to the team.