Senators Trade Rumors: Top Six Forwards
By Ryan Ritchie
Jan 9, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward
(16) is congratulated by teammates forward
(11) forward
(53) and defensemen
(26) after his 3rd period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
9. Carolina Hurricanes
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Cardiac Cane
Carolina has been surprisingly quiet for a team that could have two of the most sought after free agents next summer. Talks on extensions for
and
have been limited, although it sounds as though both sides are interested in a new deal for both players. But we also need to consider the possibility that teams could call to inquire about either’s trade availability.
Eric Staal carries a lucrative $8.25 million dollar cap hit, but that number will go down as the season progresses. Cam Ward has a steep $6.3 million dollar cap hit, but again the money owed gets substantially lower as the season goes on.
What makes Carolina an intriguing trade partner is the team’s inability to find success with its current core group of players. GM Ron Francis should be getting impatient with this core group of players that simply isn’t good enough. The only true untouchables on the Hurricanes should be Justin Faulk and Noah Hanifin. Otherwise, for the right price, any player could likely be had.
Main Targets: Eric Staal/or Jeff Skinner
One of the above two would likely need be the main acquisition for Ottawa if this deal were to work. Skinner is a bit cheaper at $.5.725 million dollar cap hit, and was rumored to be on the trade block this past summer.
Any deal involving Eric Staal would need to involve a team that would be comfortable extending him. Ottawa would have difficulties re-signing Staal, making this scenario much less likely.
Jeff Skinner on the other hand, has finally put together good stretches of healthy play and looks poised to erase that injury-prone tag he carries. His time in Carolina has been full of ups and downs, but perhaps a change of scenery is all this young forward needs.
Trade Scenarios:
Ottawa trades Cody Ceci, Colin Greening, and Milan Michalek to Carolina for Jeff Skinner, Riley Nash, and Roland McKeown
Ottawa trades Cody Ceci, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, and 1st/or 2nd round pick to Carolina for Eric Staal
Ottawa trades Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau to Carolina for Jeff Skinner
After losing James Wisniewski for an extended period of time at the beginning of the season, Carolina has boasted one of the weaker blue-lines in the NHL. Although, Justin Faulk has played extremely well. Noah Hanifin has made typical rookie mistakes at times, but for the most part has looked very comfortable for a teenage defenseman.
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