NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Carolina Hurricanes Trade Candidates

The Carolina Hurricanes are going to look much different next season. It's been a summer of change for Carolina and head coach Rod Brind'Amour even admitted, it was tough to see a ton of experienced players sign off with other teams. 

While there's still a bunch of heavy lifting to do for the 'Canes, there's also the trade market to look out for as the team has been linked to offseason moves since weeks before the NHL Draft in June. If there's a trade coming from Carolina's GM Eric Tulsky, expect to see one of these three 'Canes included:

Martin Necas

Many felt Necas was a shoe-in to be traded at the NHL Draft and it didn't materialize. And while the trade chatter may have quieted down, that doesn't mean it's a given Necas is back with the team next season. Carolina tried to move him to secure a top-10 draft pick and had no luck. The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent and at this point appears it's about 50-50 if he'll be re-signing or dealt. Necas is a speed demon and recorded 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games last season. It sounded like the Buffalo Sabres were very close to getting a deal done, but at this point, it's pretty quiet on the Necas trade front.

Frederik Andersen

With all the goalie movement that's happened this summer, Frederik Andersen saw his name included in the list of potential trade candidates. He'll be someone to watch as Carolina begins next season as if they don't meet expectations early on, look for Andersen to be dangled on the trade market. The veteran netminder is entering the final season of his contract, set to earn juts $3.4 million and he holds a 16-team no-trade clause. When healthy, he's still one of the best goalies in the league. 

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

It's been a rough start to the career of Kotkaniemi as the 24-year-old hasn't quite lived up to the hype, even if some of it was unwarranted. He's signed through the 2027-28 season at $4.8 AAV and his no-trade clause doesn't kick in for another two seasons. Kotkaniemi recorded just 27 points in 79 games last year and is a player to watch on the trade market as the offseason continues in Carolina. There's still plenty of untapped potential which will appeal to onlooking teams. One team to keep an eye on - the Vancouver Canucks who have been in contact with Carolina in the past.

PHoto credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports