Svechnikov Was 'Open To Idea' of A Trade From Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes forward

"When I heard that today, I was blown away," said insider Elliotte Friedman. He was speaking about intel he received that Carolina Hurricanes star forward Andrei Svechnikov was looking to move on from the team earlier this season. The 25-year-old's ice time and production was way down in a disappointing start to the season.

Svechnikov was averaging just 14:45 of ice time through the first 12 games of the season, and had zero points through the first eight games, while being dropped to the fourth line. That's when the word came down from his camp, per Friedman:

He was unhappy, and I understand that the inference was made to the Carolina Hurricanes that if they wanted to trade him, he wouldn't be upset about it, he would be open to the idea. I think this got out, and there were some teams that called the Hurricanes.

Svechnikov is right in the middle of an eight-year, $62 million contract ($7.75M AAV), and the team still feels he's a cornerstone for their future. And according to the insider, that's exactly what they told teams that came calling.

If you're gonna ask us, you're gonna have to make a monster offer.

As for now, things have settled down, and the player is back on the first line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, and he has five goals and nine points in the Canes' last nine games going into Sunday’s play. His time on ice is back up to an average of over 17 minutes per night during that stretch.

Keep an eye on Svechnikov in Carolina if things regress as they did earlier in the season

"Everything has calmed down for now," said Friedman, as he drew his final conclusions, "but I think the only thing you look at here is if it ever regresses to where it was before, then it's something we have to keep an eye out for... I mean, who wouldn't be interested in that guy?"

Svechnikov is one of the most dynamic offensive forwards in the NHL, with five 20-goal seasons in his first seven years in the league. He averages 26 goals per 82 games. Last season, the 6'3", 200-pounder finished with 20 goals and 48 points in 72 games, while delivering his usual physical style of play, with 148 hits.