Feb 26, 2026
3 min read
Your best source for quality news, rumors, analysis, stats and Carolina Hurricanes scores from a fan perspective.
The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching and now that the Olympic trade freeze is over, look for all kinds of rumors and innuendos to explode around hockey social media over the next few days.Yes, even more than usual.
To trade or not to trade, that is the question
If NHL general managers want to try to improve their respective teams, they have a 3 p.m.To do so on March 6.But they should be careful, there is no guarantee that a trade will actually improve your team.
In Carolina, GM Eric Tulsky and his staff are responsible for making those decisions.
After seven straight playoff appearances and disappointing Finals, many media "experts" thought the Hurricanes needed to improve to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
Several updates were made in the offseason.The addition of Nicolas Ehlers is certainly an improvement over last season.
The Canes re-signed K'Andre Miller and are still adjusting to Carolina's system, much better than last year's Dmitri Orlov.
Is Alexander Nikishin upgraded from Brent Burns?
Rod Brind'Amour would say no, but the eye test doesn't look as bad as some stats.Nikishin certainly has more points on the powerplay (two goals and four assists so far) than Burns did last year (no goals and three assists) and has more shots, (Burns 11, Niki 100 so far) and is still learning.
This should also be considered an improved position for the playoffs.
Jaylen Chatfield's injury hurt the team last season.They got to play the brand new Scott Morrow and Nikishin in some high-pressure situations.Signing veteran Mike Reilly will be full assurance for this opportunity.(At least better than last year).
Last but not least, newly signed goaltender Brandon Bussey seems to be setting NHL records every time he steps on the ice.At this point, the location looks like it's been upgraded.But we all know goalies can be fickle.
So, it can be argued that the team has improved enough to be successful in the postseason due to the changes already made.
But are these changes enough to get rough and tumble in the process of eliminating the boss?
Another position that many people are looking at is the middle position.
Logan Stankovin has been moved to center this season with mixed results. Sure, he still needs to work on the faceoff. (44.4%) But let's look at some of his other stats.
He has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points (.44 ppg) in 57 games so far this season.
Prior to this season, he had 14 goals and 24 assists in 78 games (0.49 ppg).
In his first NHL season playing center, his production didn't match up too much and he needs to improve.Stankoven often plays center in juniors, so he is no stranger to the concept.
Still, a valid argument can be made that Keynes could improve there if he really wanted to.
Experienced centers like Vincent Trochek, Ryan O'Reilly, Nazem Kadri, Elias Pettersson, Robert Thomas and Mika Zibanejad are all rumored to be available but at what cost?
There are other strikers who can help the team.
Carolina officials aren't excited about the possibility of an adjustment at this point.Of course, the front office is always trying to improve the team, and they can fool anyone with a big move at any time.Last season's Rantanen deal came as a surprise.
The team seems to be involved in all the major trade rumors.
But Tulsky himself noted this (he was satisfied with this group) in a recent interview.
And why not?
The Hurricanes are tied for first in the East with the Lightning with 78 points.(The Bolts have two games in hand).They have eight points advantage in their section.They are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games.
The team has struggled with adversity this season mainly because Slavin has been out more than he should have.
There is also an argument to be made that the players who have taken you this far deserve a chance to make it to the next level.
That's why I don't think it would involve any of the top 9 or 10 forwards if a deal were to be reached.
There is also an argument to be made that the system of the coaching staff needs to be changed so that they have more success in the books than the players.But that's a conversation for another day!
