Report: Blackhawks, Hurricanes discussed Darling, Faulk trade

Two familiar trade partners could link up once again.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks have held discussions involving Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk and netminder Scott Darling, sources told Scott Powers of The Athletic.

The Hurricanes are expected to be one of the busiest teams this offseason under new general manager Don Waddell, with the team reportedly taking calls on winger Jeff Skinner. Carolina has also expressed interest in Washington Capitals backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer.

Speculation surrounds Faulk's future in Raleigh. The 26-year-old has just two years remaining on his contract at an affordable cap hit, and he'd be in demand as a rare right-shot blue-liner.

Darling's name has also been mentioned in conversations between the teams, a source told Powers. The goaltender is coming off a disastrous campaign with the Hurricanes after being traded from the Blackhawks a year ago. He finished his first year in Carolina with just 13 wins and an .888 save rate in 43 games.

Before he became a free agent last offseason, the Blackhawks shipped Darling's rights to the Hurricanes for a third-round pick. He then signed a four-year, $16.6-million extension with Carolina.

The Blackhawks and Hurricanes have been frequent trade partners in the past, with Chicago previously sending them Darling, Teuvo Teravainen, Bryan Bickell, and Kris Versteeg, among others.