NHL Rumors: Surprising Team Favorites to Land Dallas Stars' John Klingberg

John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars does not feel appreciated by team management after a season where he's tried numerous times to negotiate a new contract. The right-handed defenseman is now expected to be traded before the Mar.21 trade deadline and according to Jeff Marek of Sportsnet, the team to watch in all of this could be the Carolina Hurricanes.

Marek: I think we'll hear the name Carolina a lot as it relates to John Klingberg.

Friedman: I agree with that.

Marek: I think Los Angeles would be another one.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 18, 2022

It's certainly likely the Stars send Klingberg east as it's rare to see a talent moved in the same conference. The Stars defenseman has recorded 22 points in 33 games this season and is in the final season of his contract, paying him $4.25 million. Dallas is currently two points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and don't expect the team to just give their asset away for nothing.

A deal involving the Hurricanes is likely going to involve one of defenseman Ethan Bear or forward Jesper Fast and a prospect or two. The Canes don't have a first-round pick in 2022 or a third-rounder for that matter and will have to center their package around an NHL talent along with a couple of promising prospects.

Carolina sits 27-9-2 on the season and they currently have little to no salary cap space so any move made before the trade deadline will need to be a money-in and money-out situation. They continue to talk to Stars management about facilitating an offer and Dallas is going to have to come to terms with a huge decision - extend Klingberg and make him feel appreciated or cash in on their trade asset. Either way, the Hurricanes will be waiting for the news to drop.

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports