Hurricanes Trade Rumors: Cam Ward & Eric Staal
Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie
(30) celebrates the victory with forward
(12) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Hurricanes trade rumors have been virtually non-existent, even with two potential enticing players that could hit the open market. Carolina’s Cam Ward and Eric Staal are set to become free agents in the summer of 2016.
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Partially into 2015-2016, we’ve seen no indications from GM Ron Francis that he has any interest in extended either player. There were rumors that Eric Staal and management started preliminary contract talks, which saw Eric Staal asking for roughly $9 million/year.
Hurricanes Trade Rumors –
Eric Staal and Cam Ward were integral parts in Carolina’s 2006 Stanley Cup win, when Staal scored 100 points in the regular season, and Ward stole the starter role during playoffs and carried the team on his back. Unfortunately, both have seen digression in each of their games. Staal seems to hover around 70 points on average, while Cam Ward has battled injury issues year after year. While both are big core pieces, it’s unclear if they fit Carolina’s plan moving forward.
If GM Ron Francis has no interest in extended either player, it’s conceivable that both would be dealt closer to the trade deadline. Both carry rich cap hits, and would be easier for teams to absorb later in the season as rentals. The battle between agent and organization is likely to be over money. There’s a chance both players could get a taste of free-agency to gauge the market. If you’re Ron Francis and you can’t lock these guys down as affordably as you’d like, you could flip them at the trade deadline, and re-sign them in the summer. Because chances are, neither will command the number or term on the open market that they think they’re worth.
Hurricanes Trade Rumors – Trade Scenario for Both Players
October 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) defends the goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Ward
Calgary Flames
It’s unclear how long GM Brad Treliving is willing to go with his shaky cast of netminders. If it goes on for too long, the Flames will be a lottery pick. This is a young team, still with playoff aspirations. And even if they can get decent goaltending from one guy, it’s unlikely any of the three (Ramo, Hiller, or Ortio) can carry Flames through a playoff round. Cam Ward is a former Conn Smythe winner with playoff experience. He wouldn’t have to come in and carry the load down the stretch, but could be an extra option come playoff time.
It’s tough to predict who could go the other way in a deal. Carolina would most likely target younger players. Maybe a Josh Jooris or Lance Bouma? Even guys like Emile Poirier or Tyler Wotherspoon put into a package with prospect(s)/draft pick(s). Carolina could use another goaltender with Drew MacIntryre being third on the depth chart.
New York Islanders
A team loaded with talent, and one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, the Islanders could afford to acquire Cam Ward if GM Garth Snow felt it necessary to add depth. Not that Thomas Greiss isn’t a capable backup, and Jean-Francois Berube still has potential sitting third on the depth chart. Jaroslav Halak has played well for New York, and he’s definitely no stranger to a goalie tandem from his time in Montreal and St.Louis. Halak is the type of goalie who seems to benefit when he’s pushed and challenged, and Cam Ward could step in and do that. Even better, if Halak were to falter in the playoffs, you’d at least have a second option.
If you’re the Hurricanes GM dealing with Garth Snow, you’re probably not getting your top targets. You’re more likely looking at guys like Casey Cizikas or Nikolai Kulemin. Cizikas would be a tough one to pry away, while Kulemin is simply overpaid for what he offers. Carolina might be interested in a couple young blue-liners such as Ryan Pulock or Scott Mayfield. Pulock would be another tough one to pry away from New York. Other pieces would need to be involved with prospects and draft picks, perhaps multiple on each side.
St.Louis Blues
Jake Allen and Brian Elliott have teamed to make an excellent tandem over recent years, during the regular season at least. It’s been that way as Allen continues to develop and receive more starts. The problem is, even with Elliott’s excellent numbers in the past, he’s not the type of goalie that’s going to challenge Jake Allen. He’s not the mentor type to teach this kid how to prepare and go about his daily business. He’s just there to be a serviceable second option, and come playoff time, that’s simply not good enough. St.Louis could benefit by adding a former Cup winning goalie to help show their young netminder what it takes to steal a playoff round.
Players that might interest Carolina could be Danny Kristo, Ivan Barbashev, Ty Rattie, and Joel Edmundson. This is a scenario where St.Louis being a ready to win type of team, that you would more than likely see Ward along with other pieces being moved. St.Louis might be interested in adding veteran depth on the blue-line in Ron Hainsey or John-Michael Liles. If injuries continue to hamper the Blues up front, they may be interested in adding someone like Jeff Skinner, Nathan Gerbe, or Andrej Nestrasil. Prospects and Draft Picks would definitely be involved.
Next: Eric Staal Trade Scenarios
Nov 1, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) takes a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Staal
Florida Panthers
Florida has had its financial struggles in recent history, and any playoff revenue can be a major difference maker in the functionality of this team moving forward. They’re young and hungry, with a solid underrated defensive group, led by a couple of kids and a 43-year-old forward up front. Huberdeau and Barkov are taking steps in making this their team, along with Nick Bjugstad. But so far, Jaromir Jagr has been the story in Florida.
The Panthers have some decent pieces up front with guys like Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith, but imagine adding another big versatile center into the mix. Eric Staal could be the piece that contributes in helping this team from a 9th to 11th place team, into a 7th or 8th seed squeezing into the playoffs.
Carolina targets could include players such as Rocco Grimaldi, Brandon Pirri, or Quinton Howden. Although it’s unclear how willing the Panthers would be to part with any of their young forwards. Names like Alex Petrovic and Dylan Olsen would be likely targets on the back-end. There’s no probably no way a deal gets done without a 2016 first round pick, so Florida would need to be sure they could avoid the lottery for this to work.
Minnesota Wild
This core group that includes Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, and Mikko Koivu are nearing their expiration date for Cup potential. Year after year this team finds a way to fall short, even though on paper, they’re built as one of the elite.
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A lot of these Wild players are at peaks in their career or just beginning digression, and the time is now to pull the trigger and go for the Cup. Eric Staal would add depth to the top-six and could be the final piece to help carry Minnesota deep into the playoffs.
Minnesota need to be willing to give up a roster player plus more to make it happen. Carolina may be interested in players such as Erik Haula, Justin Fontaine, Jason Zucker, or Jordan Schroeder. Although Minnesota would be hesitant to part ways with a few of those guys. Top prospects like Alex Tuch, Jordan Greenway, and Tyler Graovac are a few guys that could help get a deal done. Other prospects and picks would probably be involved. Any Staal deal would likely require a 2016 first rounder.
Montreal Canadiens
The Habs have taken a lot of heat in the past come playoff time for not being big enough, or tough enough. But the Chicago Blackhawks have proven size doesn’t matter in 2015-16 with Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin tearing up the stats sheet. Montreal has added some big pieces, and the team has grown together, and looks poised to be a top threat in the Eastern Conference. Imagine adding Eric Staal as a rental at the trade deadline? That’s the type of player that could help push a team over the edge.
Montreal is loaded with one of the deeper prospect pools, and have enough talent down in the AHL that a deal could be done. They’d probably need to sacrifice a bottom-six player like Devante Smith-Pelly or Paul Byron, but adding players such as Charles Hudon, Sven Andrighetto, or Christian Thomas are the types of guys that could help get a deal done. Once again, any deal for Staal would need to include a 2016 first rounder.
Nashville Predators
Nashville looks poised to be a Stanley Cup contender in 2015-16, but it still feels like there’s a piece missing. It’s not a knock on centers Mike Ribeiro and Mike Fisher, because they’ve both played extremely well. But when push comes to shove, that isn’t a pair of top centers that can last a grueling four rounds to capture the Stanley Cup. If you can add Eric Staal to the equation, Nashville may have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run.
Roster players that could interest Carolina are Austin Watson, Calle Jarnkrok, Cody Hodgson, Mattias Ekholm, or Victor Bartley. Prospects that could be of particular interest to Carolina would be Colton Sissons, Kevin Fiala, Vladislav Kamenev, or Jimmy Vesey. One of those combinations plus a 2016 first rounder and a deal might be had.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Why would the Tampa Bay Lightning add a player with a massive cap hit when they’re already struggling to find a way to extend their superstar forward. Obviously it would strictly be a rental for this season, and the cap hit come trade deadline would be minimal, and likely affordable by that point. Think of this scenario as comparable to when teams like Pittsburgh and Detroit were adding Marian Hossa for additional depth down the stretch.
Next: Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors
Valterri Filppula and Matt Carle are likely the only veterans GM Ron Francis might be interested in. Other targets might include Vladislav Namestnikov, J.T. Brown, Cedric Paquette, Adam Erne, Dennis Yan, Slater Koekkoek, and Nikita Nesterov. GM Steve Yzerman might be reluctant to part ways with roster players or top-tier prospects, but they’ve got enough talent in the minors to make a deal happen, coupled with a 2016 first rounder of course.