— Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford has spent the last two months making calls, trying to land a top-line forward.



The Canes have the No. 8 pick in next week's NHL draft, an asset other teams would love to acquire via trade.



The question: How much have you looked into possibly dealing that pick?

Rutherford’s answer: "It's not something we really want to do because we're building our team piece-by-piece with young players. But at the same time, we have a real priority this year to get a player to play with Eric Staal. It may take that pick as part of the deal to do that. But when you get into some of these names that could be available, it's going to take more than just that pick."

The top forwards on the trade market include Staal's brother, Jordan, of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Rick Nash from Columbus. The top free agent forwards, like the Devils' Zach Parise, will carry too heavy of a price tag.

"Free agency is going to be difficult for us,” Rutherford said. “I think we're going to have to fill the holes through trades."

Free agency begins July 1. The Canes' only unrestricted free agents are defensemen Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek.

"Spacek and Allen will test the market, and we'll see if our paths cross again in that first 24-48 hours,” Rutherford said. “That's what happens lots of times."

Before that is the draft, which begins Friday, and the talent pool is loaded with defensemen. Rutherford says he'll pick the best player on the board, unless he gets that trade offer he's looking for.

"I feel if we can add that one player to play with Staal, with all the other good pieces we have here, then we can take that next step," Rutherford said.

Fans can join in on the Carolina Hurricanes draft party at Rudino's Sports Corner on Friday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. The party will have appearances by Canes TV play-by-play voice John Forslund, Stormy, the Storm Squad and more. There will also be the annual Draft Challenge where one fan will go home with a Hurricanes jersey.