3 Players Hurricanes Could Trade Next

The Carolina Hurricanes were a very strong team last season, and that's while dealing with some injuries to key players. This season they have an even better roster that looks to bring home the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006. Between rumors, lack of space, and upgrades at the trade deadline, let's look at who the Hurricanes could trade next.

Jack Drury

Jack Drury, one of the top young players in the Hurricanes' system, doesn't have any room to grow on the team and move up the lineup. His best shot would be on the third line, but Jordan Staal isn't going anywhere for a few years after re-signing. Sometimes Stanley Cup contenders have to sacrifice the future, and Drury may very well be that sacrifice. He's good enough to be on the team and play in the NHL, but while the 23-year-old has dominated the AHL the past two seasons, the scoring hasn't translated just yet. He scored only two goals and eight points in 38 regular season games. If he improves his point production, then that's a totally different story.

Brett Pesce

There have been rumors surrounding Brett Pesce as he is entering his final year and there is still a slight chance that he is dealt before the season starts. The Hurricanes brought in Tony DeAngelo and have options like Jalen Chatfield, Caleb Jones, and Nathan Beaulieu as their sixth and seventh defensemen if they do move him. If we get to the season, I think Pesce is safe and will just walk in free agency. History isn't on the side of the Hurricanes giving out huge contracts to too many players.

Teuvo Teravainen

With all of the new additions, Teuvo Teravainen appears to have dropped down the depth chart a bit. He will likely play on the third line and even potentially the fourth line at times. As he's paid $5.4 million AAV for one final year, this makes him a trade candidate by the deadline to free up space and for the team to potentially add someone with a bit of term for cheaper. He had a drop-off in points last season from the prior season and he's not the healthiest player in the NHL. He also disappeared in the playoffs and missed a bunch of the games.