Carolina Hurricanes NHL Trade Rumors: Hurricanes Reportedly Placed Justin Faulk on Trading Block
The Carolina Hurricanes may not be as bad as the free-falling Colorado Avalanche, but they are going nowhere fast this season. The team is currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with the Detroit Red Wings and it may take at least another year for the rebuilding project to bear fruit.
The Hurricanes are expected to be sellers at the deadline and surprisingly, one of their best players may be available. Citing league scouts, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal said Justin Faulk has been placed on the trading block and they reportedly want a center in exchange for their alternate captain.
"Scouts continue to say Carolina defenceman Justin Faulk, who is having a poor year (-19 and only 25 points) is in play at the trade deadline. He used to be their mainstay, but now the Hurricanes have Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin and Brett Pesce. The 'Canes need a young centre back," Matheson stated in his report.
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Well, that's an interesting development. It's true the Hurricanes have a surplus of defensemen and Faulk does have bad plus-minus numbers, but he's still a productive puck-moving blueliner and he can boost power play. Faulk is currently in the third year of a six-year, $29-million contract with a $4.83 million per year cap hit.
Matheson did not mention a possible trade partner for Faulk in his report, but a lot of people believe the Edmonton Oilers should try to acquire him. The Oilers need a defenseman and they do have a lot of centers. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are not going anywhere, but their third-line center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be available for trade.
Nugent-Hopkins hasn't played much this season and his numbers are subpar. However, he should become more productive if he's given a top-line role.
Will the Hurricanes really move Faulk before the trade deadline? Fans will find out soon enough.
