On Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes traded defenseman Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return for the 35 year-old veteran, the Penguins are sending a second-round selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and forward Danny Kristo to the Hurricanes. This is the first of many expected moves for the Hurricanes, as they seek to be contenders in the open market.
With the March 1 trade deadline looming, the Carolina Hurricanes sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings. The month of February has not treated the Hurricanes too nicely, with the team only mustering two wins out of seven games, posting an embarrassing -12 point differential. They have been dealt two shutouts and allowed four goals or more in four games.
While his veteran presence will be missed by the young team, this trade breathes a small bit of life into the Hurricanes. Hainsey was set to hit free agency this off-season, where he was likely to take his talents to a new team. Carolina pulled the trigger and got what they could before he left. Never having appeared in the playoffs, he will join the defending champions and serve on the third or fourth rotation. Carolina still has their hand over the holster, with forwards Viktor Stalberg and Jay McClement also becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.
Newly acquired forward Danny Kristo has spent his career travelling to different AHL teams. At 26 years-old, he averaged 24 goals and 45.6 points a season from 2013-2016. He only played three full years and is most likely to serve the Hurricanes minor league team, the Charlotte Checkers. Further supporting his strategy to build a young team, coach Bill Peters is hoping to develop the forward and turn him into a productive attacker on the major roster.
The second-round pick comes as a side item, as Carolina is running towards a high selection in 2017’s upcoming draft. Carolina could use this pick to draft a goalie to potentially be the under study to Cam Ward. There is plenty of talent in the position this year, putting Carolina in an even better position to capitalize on the pick.
This trade leaves an empty spot on the rotation, which Noah Hanifin will have to fill. The second year defender has had a lackluster season, playing on the fourth rotation. He will now play in the first and second rotation alongside Brett Pesce. Hanifin has appeared in 55 games this season but contributed little to the Hurricanes underwhelming defense.
As the deadline comes faster, more general managers may be prone to pick up the phone and call the Hurricanes’ Ron Francis. With a wealth of young talent and several free agents, “Raleighwood” could be the destination for a big trade in the next week.