The Los Angeles Kings traded forward Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2026 second-round pick before the roster freeze. Reports indicate the Carolina Hurricanes were in on Danault and had reportedly offered Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Kotkaniemi has four years left on his contract at a $4.82 million AAV, which led the Kings to pass on the deal. The Hurricanes will be without forward Seth Jarvis, who is week-to-week. Jarvis this season in 34 games has 29 points on 19 goals and ten assists. He’s an even in plus/minus with a power-play goal, two shorthanded goals, and four game-winning goals. Jarvis is second on the team in points, and first in goals; he also leads the team in shorthanded goals and game-winning goals. A tough loss for Carolina, which is tied for the most points in the Eastern Conference, during the Christmas break.

The Hurricanes are no strangers to making a splash before the trade deadline as last season in January they acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Avalanche. In 13 games with Carolina, he recorded six points on two goals and four assists. He was a minus-three with a power-play goal and a game-winning goal. It appeared Rantanen wouldn’t sign an extension in Carolina so they flipped him to Dallas at the trade deadline in a trade that worked out for both sides with the Canes bringing in Logan Stankoven. Stankoven in 55 games for Carolina has 25 points on 11 goals and 14 assists. He is a plus-one with a power-play goal and two game-winning goals. There are roughly eight teams that seem like they could sell off some pieces, so who could the Hurricanes swing big for this season?

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Potential Trade Options

Brayden Schenn – St. Louis Blues 

The Blues are certainly going to be looking to move prices and Schenn’s name is one to watch. He is a 17-year NHL veteran who has a Stanley Cup. The hold up may be his contract and no trade clause. He has two more years after this season and carries an AAV of $6.5 million. In 38 games this season he has 14 points on six goals and eight assists. He’s a -17 with a power-play goal and a game-winning goal. In 1,060 games he has 699 points on 284 goals and 415 assists. He’s a -60 with 93 power-play goals, a shorthanded goal, and 61 game-winning goals. In 82 career playoff games, Schenn has 43 points on 13 goals and 30 assists. He’s a -19 with four power-play goals and two game-winning goals. He won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. 

Blake Coleman – Calgary Flames

Coleman also brings in Stanley Cup experience but has one year left on his current contract carrying a $4.90 AAV. He can provide secondary scoring for Carolina. He also has a no movement clause. This season in 37 games he has 17 points on ten goals and seven assists. He’s a +11 with three shorthanded goals and two game-winning goals. In 658 career games, he has 305 points on 160 goals and 145 assists. He’s a +47 with 12 power-play goals, 21 shorthanded goals, and 27 game-winning goals. He has two Stanley Cups coming with the Lightning. In 65 career playoff games, he’s recorded 31 points on 12 goals and 19 assists. He’s a +17 with two shorthanded goals, and a game-winning goal. 

Steven Stamkos – Nashville Predators

Stamkos also has two Stanley Cups both with Tampa Bay. Things haven’t gone well to plan in Nashville and they could look to move his contract. He would provide scoring and a boost to the power-play. He has two more years on his deal after the season with an $8 million AAV. Another player with a no-movement clause but at this stage of his career it’s all about winning which is right where Carolina is. In 36 games this season he has 22 points on 15 goals and seven assists. He’s a minus-nine, with two power-play goals and six game-winning goals. He just played in his 1200th NHL game, and he has 1,212 points on 597 goals and 615 assists. He’s a career plus-one with 230 power-play goals, five shorthanded goals, and 97 game-winning goals. In 128 playoff games, he has 101 points in 50 goals and 51 assists. He’s a -11 with 20 power-play goals and five game-winning goals. 

Pettersson if the Canucks decide to move him and he’s willing to waive his no movement clause would give Carolina a huge boost at center. However, he carries an $11.6 million AAV. He’s on the second year of his extension which has six more years on his deal. In 28 games this season he has 22 points on eight goals and 14 assists. He’s a minus-eight with two power-play goals, and a shorthanded goal. In 499 career games all with Vancouver, the 27-year-old has recorded 479 points on 193 goals and 286 assists. He’s a +38 with 60 power-play goals, eight shorthanded goals, and 33 game-winning goals. In 30 career playoff games, he has 24 points on eight goals and 16 assists. He’s a plus-two with five power-play goals and two game-winning goals. 

Wrap Up 

Who from the list or not on the list would you add to the current Hurricanes roster to help this team make and win the Stanley Cup Finals in 2025-26? 

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