The Carolina Hurricanes are amenable to trading one of their first-round picks in exchange for a blue-liner who's under contract beyond this season.

"It is something that Carolina has begun telling teams that (it's) willing to do if it means getting a top-four (defenseman) that is signed," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."

The Hurricanes have "kicked tires" on pending unrestricted free agents Sami Vatanen of the New Jersey Devils and Brenden Dillon of the San Jose Sharks, but Carolina owner Tom Dundon doesn't like spending assets on rental players, adds LeBrun.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba - who's signed through 2022-23 with a $6-million cap hit - is one rearguard the Hurricanes have reportedly looked into acquiring.

Carolina owns two first-round selections in the 2020 NHL Draft after obtaining the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-rounder in the Patrick Marleau swap in June 2019.