Dreger: Hurricanes could be in line for a major shakeup this summer
Cue up the rumor mill.
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, Darren Dreger of TSN believes the non-playoff bound Carolina Hurricanes may be in line for a major shakeup this summer.
As discussed last night on Insider Trading...big options ahead for the Carolina Hurricanes. Ward trade likely in the summer. Other names...
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
..either Skinner or E.Staal also potentially in play. All depends on gm J.Rutherford's future and his decision to move up, stay same or out.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
Potential player changes, coaching changes, management changes. So much to consider in Carolina this summer.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
A trade involving Ward would seem to make the most sense; both Anton Khudobin and Justin Peters have posted better numbers than Ward (with save percentages of .928, .913 and .893 respectively), and Carolina would probably like to dump his $6.3-million cap hit over the next two seasons.
Moving Staal or Skinner, however, would represent a next-level transformation for Carolina. Staal, the captain, leads the team in scoring with 16 goals and 36 assists, and is the veritable face of the franchise. Skinner, just 21, has scored 90 goals and added 85 assists in 246 career games, and is in line to become the team's next franchise-type player.
Having said that, the team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2009, and perhaps significant changes are indeed in order.
Time will tell how the winds blow for the Hurricanes.