NHL Trade Deadline Approaches: Flames, Hurricanes, and Blue Jackets in the Mix

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the NHL trade deadline approaches on Friday, teams are scrambling to make moves that could reshape their rosters. The Carolina Hurricanes are exploring options for 28-year-old winger Mikko Rantanen, who has generated significant interest following his earlier trade from the Colorado Avalanche.

With less than 48 hours until the deadline, teams including the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers have reached out to the Hurricanes expressing their interest in Rantanen, who is currently a pending unrestricted free agent.

The Hurricanes initially attempted to extend Rantanen’s contract during a break in the schedule, but he declined to make an immediate decision. As a result, Carolina is now weighing potential deals that could provide a compelling return. The trade clock will stop ticking at 3 p.m. ET on Friday.

According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Rantanen’s skill set makes him an attractive asset to contending teams. “He produces 1.25 points per playoff game, and with the right lineup, he could catalyze a playoff push,” Johnston explained.

Despite initial struggles with scoring since joining the Hurricanes, Rantanen’s underlying metrics remain strong, raising interest from multiple clubs. Carolina has the capacity to reduce his cap hit significantly, making him an even more appealing target for franchises looking to bolster their playoff chances.

Meanwhile, the New York Islanders find themselves in a similar position with two of their prominent unrestricted free agents, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. General manager Lou Lamoriello has been actively engaged in discussions to either retain them or entertain trade offers. The uncertainty surrounding their contracts has left other teams curious about their availability.

As Lamoriello evaluates options for both players, the likelihood of trading them increases as the clock counts down to the deadline. Nelson currently ranks as the No. 1 target on Johnston’s trade board due to his potential impact on a contending team.

On the other hand, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has signaled a shift in strategy; instead of reconstructing his roster, he is now looking to acquire players. However, he aims to do so without sacrificing high draft picks. Waddell stated he prefers “hockey deals” involving players with remaining contract terms, emphasizing the team’s desire to build for the future.

Each NHL team has its priorities heading into this pivotal moment in the season. As teams assess their rosters, the upcoming days promise to deliver several surprising changes across the league.