2 Stanley Cup Contenders Looking To Land Big Acquisition

The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are two of the top teams in the NHL and just so happen to have more than enough cap space to spend on making at least one big upgrade by the trade deadline this season to increase their chances at winning the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes have over $15 million in cap space and are dealing with some injuries, so they could realistically look to bring in someone at each position. They have enough assets including draft picks and prospects.

The Stars lost Tyler Seguin to an injury earlier this season and it opened up $9.85 million in cap space to utilize. The team, along with the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, have the toughest path out of the first two rounds of the playoffs this season if the standings hold. It is a year in which the Stars can't afford to sit back and not go for it again. They have been to three straight conference finals and lost.

David Pagnotta said, "(Stars GM) Jim Nill is never afraid to make moves. Eric Tulsky in Carolina, not afraid to male moves either and go big fish hunting. I'm looking at both those clubs in terms of big time buyers."

The Hurricanes have acquired players like Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen ahead of deadlines, and even with signing Nikolaj Ehlers, they have all this cap space to make another big splash and acquire someone else. Whoever the top players are ahead of the trade deadline, you can bet the Hurricanes will be looking into sending offers to acquire them.

It makes the most sense for the Stars to add up front. They are looking the weakest depth-wise at forward they have in years, and the team scoring is part of the reason why they have been so dominant in the regular season and playoffs. Defense could also use an upgrade, and the team should have enough to target both.