Carolina Hurricanes: 2 Players Expected to be Traded Next

The NHL offseason is underway and there's been a ton of movement so far this summer. Along with mega-contracts being handed out and an expansion draft in Seattle, there's been multiple trades that will have huge impacts on the 2021-22 NHL season. Trades will continue this summer so we shift our focus to the next deal for each franchise. Follow along as we highlight a couple of players from each team who are most likely to be traded during next season. Our last team was the Arizona Coyotes and now we move from the desert to the Carolina's, as we zone in on the Hurricanes.

2 'Canes Most Likely to be Traded in 2021-22

Jake Gardiner: When Carolina signed Gardiner from the Toronto Maple Leafs he was supposed to take over quarterbacking the power-play and be a key piece to their top-four. That hasn't come close to happening and now the team is stuck with a $4.05 million defenseman, with no-trade protection and only producing eight points in 26 games last season. So far in 94 games as a member of the Hurricanes, the 31-year-old has produced 32 points. Where did the 50-point seasons go? Carolina has been wondering the same thing and there's a reason he's been scratched multiple times. If the Hurricanes had their wish, he'd be off their books tomorrow.

Nino Niederreiter: The 28-year-old power forward is a pending free agent and considering the huge contract coming for Andrei Svechnikov, there's going to be limited room for Niederreiter moving forward in Carolina. He's due to make $5.25 million this season, coming off a year where he put up 34 points in 56 games, including 20 goals. Expect much of the same production from the Swiss winger, and expect the team to listen on some trade offers heading into training camp and throughout next season.

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