It\u2019s time for another round of NHL rumours. We\u2019re into 2026 and that means the hot stove talk is going to heat up. Trade talks usually intensify after the turn of the new year. Contending teams are trying to get things in place to make a push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We\u2019ve seen teams make big splashes at past deadlines and this year could be no different. However, teams often have to give up something in order to get something.<\/p>\n
One team that has been willing to take a risk at the deadline is the Carolina Hurricanes.<\/a> This edition of NHL rumours deals with a depth forward that could be on the move.<\/p>\n All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n NHL Rumours Rumour: Sportsnet\u2019s Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Hurricanes<\/a> could be willing to trade Jesperi Kotkaniemi<\/a> to give the Finnish forward a fresh start in a new location.<\/p>\n Analysis: Kotkaniemi has struggled his tenure in Raleigh. He was the big splash<\/a> that owner Tom Dundon made when he signed the Finn to an offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. Dundon\u2019s motives may have been clouded in revenge after Sebastian Aho<\/a> was signed to an offer sheet<\/a> by the Habs. Carolina matched the offer sheet,<\/a> but it seemed that Dundon remembered the perceived slight.<\/p>\n Kotkaniemi has struggled to find his place in the lineup with the Hurricanes. He netted a career-high 18 goals in 2022-23 but has yet to reach those heights again. The 25-year-old has only two goals and four assists for six points in 25 games so far this season. He\u2019s also making $4.82 million per season until the end of the 2029-30 season.<\/p>\n Carolina has rolled the dice plenty of times at recent trade deadlines. General manager Eric Tulsky wasn\u2019t shy about doing that last season and he could be inclined to make another big swing.<\/p>\n What It Means<\/p>\n Kotkaniemi is also feeling the sting of being left off the Finnish Olympic roster. It seems that his NHL struggles have gotten him omitted from the Finland roster. He\u2019s been a healthy scratch for a few games this season in Carolina.<\/p>\n The young Finn is a solid depth forward that can help fill out a middle-six of a lineup. However, his price tag is pretty high for someone that\u2019s more of a role player. He could be of use to another team, but Carolina likely wants to free up some salary cap space.<\/p>\n The Canes could deal Kotkaniemi\u00a0as part of a larger package or trade him to free up salary cap space. Carolina may have to dip into the goalie market if it doesn\u2019t completely trust Brandon Bussi<\/a> and Frederik Andersen<\/a>. The Canes may also want to shore up some scoring punch and getting nearly $5 million off the books could help in that quest.<\/p>\n
\nCarolina Hurricanes May Trade Depth Forward for Fresh Start<\/p>\n