Report: Hurricanes won't trade 2023 1st-round pick for rental player

The Carolina Hurricanes aren't going to part with a significant asset to acquire a player they might lose in the offseason.

The club has told other teams it will not trade its 2023 first-round pick for a rental player - in other words, a pending unrestricted free agent - before the March 21 trade deadline, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Carolina sent its 2022 first-round and third-round selections to the Montreal Canadiens after Montreal chose not to match the Hurricanes' offer sheet for forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi in September.

The Hurricanes secured a separate 2022 third-rounder from the Chicago Blackhawks in July for a third-round pick in the 2021 draft, which took place later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carolina currently has selections in each round of the 2023 and 2024 drafts.

The Hurricanes entered Saturday atop the Metropolitan Division and rank third in the NHL in points percentage.