Hurricanes Nearly Pulled Off Surprise Center Trade Before Roster Freeze

While Kotkaniemi’s $4.82 million cap hit wasn’t a deal-breaker for the Kings, the remaining years on his contract were. They didn’t feel comfortable making the trade with some uncertainty as to how he would fit into their lineup. The Kings ultimately decided to take the draft pick from Montreal.

On the ice, the difference between the two centers isn’t dramatic. This would have been seen as more of a change-of-scenery type trade. Neither has been producing much offensively, and Danault was ready to move on. He noted, “I felt like I had no purpose and that I couldn’t bring anything to the team with what I had. I felt helpless and not important. That’s how I felt at the end.”

Will The Hurricanes Still Try to Trade Kotkaniemi?

The bigger takeaway is Carolina’s willingness to move Kotkaniemi and the fact they might continue to test the waters on a deal that includes him. With Seth Jarvis sidelined week-to-week and the Hurricanes never shy about swinging big, they might include him in some sort of package deal for a bigger name.

If Kotkaniemi’s name is out there, they might be looking to do business as soon as the roster freeze lifts.