Carolina Hurricanes NHL Trade Deadline: Preview, Outlook

Carolina Hurricanes are one of the NHL’s hottest teams in 2016, going 10-4-5 so far through January and February. They’re sitting two points out of a playoff spot (wild-card), but face tough decisions over the next 12 days.

Even if this team were capable of making the postseason, they’re simply not built to compete in April. The Carolina Hurricanes would be swept by the Washington Capitals (or whoever) in the first round.

GM Ron Francis has a number of pending free agents that are looking for new contracts. Eric Staal and Cam Ward headline the list.

It sounds as though Eric Staal is looking for more money than Ron Francis is willing to give up. This is a situation where Staal may need to dip his feet into free agency. It seems that Eric Staal is seeking more money or term than he’s worth. General managers aren’t throwing around money the same way they did when he signed that seven-year $8.25 million dollar/year contract. It’ll be a reality check for Eric Staal when he realizes Ron Francis is offering fair market value. At that point, there’s a chance Staal returns to Carolina. In the meantime, he’s not going to do anything to help this team down the stretch – so it’s time to trade the asset to get something in return.

Rental Fits (Ranked):

1. Montreal Canadiens

2. Minnesota Wild

3. Ottawa Senators

4. Nashville Predators

5. Detroit Red Wings

He’s in the last year of a six-year deal carrying an annual cap hit of $6.3 million dollars. Over the course of his contract (2010-11 to present), Cam Ward has played 276 of a possible 433 games over the six-year span. That’s 63.74 percent of the entire franchise’s games over that period (46 starts on average per season).

Ward is arguably a top five, easily top 10 goaltender when fully healthy. The only problem – he doesn’t stay healthy long enough to establish that tag. The thought process of bringing in Eddie Lack in 2015-16 suggests the Carolina Hurricanes were attempting to give themselves a second option, that would also allow Cam Ward extra rest. After suffering a couple more injuries this season, it’s starting to feel reminiscent of Kari Lehtonen in Dallas.

It’s unclear what type of interest teams may have in the summer for Cam Ward. His injury history negates any long-term contract for the 31-year-old goalie. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him sign a two-year $4-4.5 million dollar deal somewhere (which could include returning to Carolina).

Is there a market for Cam Ward leading into the NHL Trade Deadline? He’s day-to-day with a lower body injury right now – sounds as though he’ll return soon. In 36 games, Ward is 16-11-4 with a 2.35GAA and .909 save percentage (some of his best numbers since his early days with Carolina). It’s a hefty $6.3 million dollar cap hit – but the numbers are fairly insignificant at this time of the year.

Let’s not forget that Carolina can easily retain salary from both Eric Staal and Cam Ward.

Rental Fits (Ranked):

1. Montreal Canadiens

2. New York Islanders

3. Nashville Predators