The Carolina Hurricanes have traded for New Jersey Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen, giving up a prospect and a pick for him.
After losing Dougie Hamilton last month, the Carolina Hurricanes have been searching to add a defenseman. Losing Brett Pesce long-term forced their hand as well. Just before the NHL trade deadline, the Canes addressed their need on the blueline by adding New Jersey Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen.
According to Bob McKenzie, the return features a prospect and a pick. Vatanen should give the Hurricanes some much-needed depth on the right side once he returns from his injury.
UPDATE: Elliotte Friedman says the return is Frederik Claesson, Janne Kuokkanen, and a conditional fourth-round pick that can be a third-round pick depending on games played.
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With Pesce out, the Canes had to add a top-four right-handed defenseman and they got one in Vatanen. He might also be able to fit onto the Hurricanes power play, as he’s done good work there with the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils.
In 47 games this season, Vatanen has 23 points, including five goals. 10 of those points (one goal and nine assists) have come on the power play. He will be a free agent at the end of this season and has a cap hit of $4.875 million.
Vatanen will likely join the Hurricanes’ second or top pairing once he’s healthy. Currently, Trevor van Riemsdyk is playing on the top pairing with Jaccob Slavin, so expect Vatanen to at least get a shot there.
His injury is an ankle injury, so it’s hard to tell when he’ll be able to come back. It certainly won’t be before his ankle is 100%. But Vatanen is expected to be ready in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Hurricanes must feel confident that he’ll be returning earlier, considering they gave up a second-round pick and a pretty good prospect for him.
Vatanen’s underlying stats are a bit concerning, but he was stronger there with the Anaheim Ducks. He’ll probably be a better fit with the Hurricanes than he was with the Devils as well.