Hurricanes Rumors: Offensive Defenseman Listed as Trade Target

The Carolina Hurricanes are a team to watch as their GM Don Waddell loves to wheel and deal. The 'Canes have started the season with a 13-8-1 record and look to continue their success leading into the Christmas season. With American Thanksgiving behind us, trade talk is picking up and recently, one Hurricane made the list as a top trade target.

Tony DeAngelo was named by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff as #9 on his trade target list and sees the offensive defenseman being in play before the trade deadline in March. The Hurricanes are deep on the blue line and could move DeAngelo for some more depth up front.

Seravalli had this to say about DeAngelo's trade talk:

DeAngelo has sat as a healthy scratch for five games this season as the Canes have opted to at times to go with Jalen Chatfield in the lineup. Carolina likes Chatfield, who isn’t nearly as dynamic but seen by the team as a better defender, as a less expensive option on the right side. Chatfield earns less than half of what DeAngelo does on the salary cap. As a result, the Hurricanes are looking to move DeAngelo, who collected 42 points in 70 games last year for the Flyers before being bought out in July.

DeAngelo has recorded one goal and seven points in 16 games this season and sees a ton of minutes on the power play, meanwhile does not kill penalties. He's not an ideal top-four defenseman and is more suited for a 5/6 role where he can create on the PP when there's more time and space.

The 28-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent who is owed $1.675 million against the cap this season and does not hold any trade protection. It's a gamble, but certainly someone who will draw some attention on the very active trade market.

PHoto credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports