Hurricanes Have An Interest In 2 Rangers Forwards

The Carolina Hurricanes, along with the Anaheim Ducks, are the two teams in unique positions to add more than one major piece at the deadline, whether that be a rental or not, as they have tons of cap space and are in great positions in the standings. The Hurricanes more so than the Ducks as Carolina has 69 points, 12 more than the Philadelphia Flyers, the closest team that could kick them out of a playoff spot.

The Hurricanes have a strong roster that has the team third in goals and seventh in goals against despite all of the injuries that have occurred throughout the season. This team has over $18.5 million to work with this season. That's enough for multiple elite players to be brought in if they so choose. I can't see them going all in on multiple big rentals, but they could target one major rental and someone else with a bit of term.

David Pagnotta said, "If they bring somebody who has term...I've gotta imagine they're going to want to have Jesperi Kotkaniemi as part of the package going back. Is that a Vinny Trocheck...an Artemi Panarin? There's interest in both."

The Hurricanes don't need to move Kotkaniemi, but it would make a lot of sense if the New York Rangers, who have outwardly stated that they are retooling and there will be moves, which there already has been, take a younger player back in return for one of their veterans they're more than likely to move. Kotkaniemi hasn't really fit on the Hurricanes and needs a change in scenery. He's still only 25 years old, so things could still get better for him, but he doesn't hold high value.

The Hurricanes could really use someone like Trocheck as their second line center and they appear to be one of the leading candidates to land him. The 32-year-old has three years left on his deal after this season at $5.625 million AAV. He's playing over 21 minutes per game, has 11 goals and 33 points in 39 games, 120 hits, and has received Selke Trophy votes in three of the past four seasons. It's the exact type of player that would fit well on the Hurricanes, and he has in the past.

As for Panarin, his cap hit is a lot higher at $11.6 million AAV, but the Hurricanes could still easily take all of that cap hit on, reducing the price to acquire the elite winger. Panarin has been one of the best offensive players in the league over the past seven seasons since signing in New York, and was still very good prior to that as well. The Rangers are in last place in the East and Panarin is a UFA, so more teams will be in on him with a chance to acquire him than Trocheck due to the term and price. Panarin has 19 goals and 57 points in 52 games.

The Hurricanes haven't been afraid to make the big moves and it hasn't exactly paid off yet. But as a top team again, they have to continue to try and give themselves the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup. That should come with one or the other of the Rangers' top forwards before the trade deadline.