Carolina Hurricanes' Best Trade Of The Past Year

The Carolina Hurricanes have made three trades in the past year, all involving defencemen, that need to be mentioned here before we narrow down the best one of them. The first was sending Tony DeAngelo, who the Hurricanes weren't going to re-sign, off to the Philadelphia Flyers along with a seventh round pick in exchange for a 2024 second round pick, 2023 third round pick, and a 2022 fourth round pick. Though he was a restricted free agent, this is still a very good return.

The second came five days later when the Hurricanes addressed the hole on their defence and need for an offensive defenceman and a power-play quarterback. By doing this they acquired Brent Burns with 34% of his contract retained, and Lane Pederson. Going the other way to the San Jose Sharks was just Steven Lorentz, Eetu Makiniemi, and a third round pick. Burns has 14 goals and 55 points, has passed his totals from last season already, and cost a mid-round pick and change. Seeing how the 38-year-old is still under contract for two more seasons and hasn't shown signs of a decline, this trade is very good as well.

The final trade that occurred at the trade deadline was to acquire even more defensive help and bring in more offence. This was the acquisition of Shayne Gostisbehere, only costing the Hurricanes a third round pick. This isn't as good as the others, but again, Carolina gets a skilled player and it cost them a mid-round pick at most, regardless that Gostisbehere is a free agent in the offseason.

So in terms of the best trade the Hurricanes have made in the past year, the acquisition of Burns stands out considering the value they got, what he's done, and what they saved on a top defenceman.