Christmas approaches, the Carolina Hurricanes remain focused on staying ahead in a tight Eastern Conference race. Their consistent play has kept them on top of the conference, but recent injuries and roster questions have added new layers to their season.

Behind the scenes, Carolina’s front office was busy, exploring options that could strengthen the roster before the holiday trade freeze, shaping the discussion for bigger conversations league-wide.

Hurricanes’ Aggressive Trade Push Falls Short Before Christmas Freeze

The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the teams that showed real interest in Phillip Danault before the Los Angeles Kings sent the veteran center to the Montreal Canadiens for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The deal was completed just hours before the NHL’s Christmas trade freeze, ending Carolina’s attempt to step in and redirect the move.

Danault, 32, is signed to a six-year, $33 million contract with a $5.5 million annual cap hit that runs through the 2026–27 season. While his offensive numbers have been limited this year, his value remains rooted in his defensive awareness, faceoff reliability, and ability to handle tough matchups down the middle.

In a recent video shared by Daily Faceoff on X, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta detailed Carolina’s involvement in the Danault talks while speaking with Irfaan Gaffar. When asked how Seth Jarvis’ injury could impact Carolina’s trade urgency, Pagnotta said, “I’m sure it’s going to make them be a little bit more aggressive than they typically are.”

He then confirmed the Hurricanes’ direct interest in Danault, saying, “They were one of the teams, by the way, in on Phillip Danault. They had an offer on the table for Phillip Danault.”

Pagnotta explained why the Kings chose a different path, adding, “And it included, I don’t know the full parameters of the overall offer, but it included Jesperi Kotkaniemi. And LA decided they just weren’t a fan of the term. He’s got four years left after this season. It’s a manageable cap hit, but it’s just the term.” Instead, Los Angeles opted for the draft pick as a cleaner return.

Despite Jarvis landing on injured reserve, Pagnotta made it clear that Carolina’s broader plans remain consistent. “I don’t think it’s going to divert their plans,” he said, noting that Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky remains focused on long-term goals. Pagnotta also pointed to Carolina’s history of pursuing big names, stating, “This is a team that kicked the tires on Quinn Hughes. This is a team that wasn’t afraid to take a big swing for Rantanen and not afraid to take a big swing on Guentzel the season prior to that. They take their swings.”

READ MORE: Canadiens Fans React as Phillip Danault Returns to Montreal Following Trade From Kings

Danault’s exit closes a chapter in Los Angeles that included both strong seasons and recent struggles. Kings’ head coach Jim Hiller reflected on his tenure, saying, “Phil had some great seasons, some great moments here with us. I think we’re grateful for his time here. Well spent.” He added that the move gives Danault a chance to return to Montreal, where he previously found success.

For the Hurricanes, the failed attempt to land Danault reinforces their aggressive approach as Christmas arrives. Even while leading their Metropolitan division, Carolina continues to explore upgrades, knowing the next window to improve will open soon after the holiday break.