Subj : Hurricanes Should Trade Brett Pesce
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers - Main
Date : Mon Sep 14 2020 04:40 am
One of the Carolina Hurricanes'; biggest strengths lies within their defense.
Their squad is stacked on the back end and will be for years to come. Yet,
quality depth scoring on offense was a shortcoming last season. With such a
good core of defenders, should the club subtract from defense to address their
lack of scoring?Canes'; Defense
Prospect defender Jake Bean looks like he is nearly ready to join the NHL unit.
In his second pro season, the 21-year-old Alberta native amassed 10 goals and
38 assists totaling 48 points in 59 games for AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers.
It was good enough to earn him the Eddie Shore Award, which recognizes the
league';s best defenseman. Despite this recent success, there is little room in
the Hurricanes'; top-six defense group next season. They are set already with
Jaccob Slavin, Dougie Hamilton, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Jake Gardiner, and
Haydn Fleury. Therefore, if Bean is ready to jump into an NHL role, someone
will need to be moved.Jake Bean, Charlotte Checkers (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon
Sportswire via Getty Images)
The most logical option to get a good return is to trade Pesce. The
right-hander carries a large amount of value around the NHL. He could fetch a
solid forward to help increase scoring. The 25-year-old was drafted 66th
overall back in 2013 and has since taken part in 350 NHL games. What the
6-foot-3, 205 pounder brings most is a strong defensive zone play. He routinely
shuts down the opposition and can log heavy minutes. His fantastic contract of
$4.025 million until 2023-24, makes him an attractive trade target for any
team.Potential Trading Partners
Recently the Hurricanes shipped the rights to Joel Edmundson to the Montreal
Canadians in exchange for a fifth-round selection. However, Pesce will fetch a
much higher return. Looking at trade partners, either the Toronto Maple Leafs
or the Winnipeg Jets would love to acquire this defenseman. Both teams have
surpluses at the forward position and are potentially willing to move one if
the right trade came along.Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas needs to make moves as they require a
strong, defensive-minded, right-side player. Behind Morgan Rielly and Jake
Muzzin, the Maple Leafs lack good defenders. Thus, they need to add to the blue
line. The question is, who does Toronto have that Carolina would want enough
to trade Pesce away? Related: Revisiting the Hurricanes' Keith Primeau for Rod
Brind'Amour Trade
It would likely take winger William Nylander. The 24-year-old had a great
season scoring 31 goals and 21 assists for 59 points in 68 games played. He
would be a welcomed commodity in Carolina and would impact their top-six
forwards right away. However, Toronto may not want to part with the young
forward who is starting to hit his stride in the NHL, so it may not be
feasible.William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
However, forward Andreas Johnsson is an individual who has been among trade
rumors for some time. The former seventh-round selection in 2013 has played in
two NHL seasons, his most productive being in 2018-19, scoring 20 goals and 23
assists. The Sweden native experienced an injury-riddled season in 2019-20,
which resulted in limited production. If the winger can get back to being a
20-goal scorer, he would be good for the Hurricanes. Despite this, Johnsson
alone will not be valuable enough to acquire Pesce, and Toronto would need to
add more pieces. If more picks or prospects are added maybe something could be
worked out.Winnipeg Jets
Looking at the Winnipeg Jets, they lost key pieces of their blue line last
offseason. Jacob Trouba wanted out of Winnipeg and got traded to the New York
Rangers. Veteran Dustin Byfuglien terminated his contract with the team for
personal reasons. This situation left the Jets with a big question mark on the
blue line. Therefore, Pesce would be a useful acquisition for them. In terms of
trade, two Jets'; wingers made TSN Hockey';s Trade Bait List - Patrik Laine
and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Laine can score goals, both at 5-on-5 and on the man advantage. However, the
2016 second-overall pick is mostly a one-dimensional player meaning he can
score, but that is about it. Hurricanes'; head coach Rod Brind'Amour expects
his players to contribute at both ends, so being one-dimensional will not be
enough.Winnipeg Jets'; Nikolaj Ehlers and the Jets bench (AP Photo/Gene J.
Puskar)
Depending on the cost to acquire Laine, it makes more sense for the Hurricanes
to target winger Ehlers, who is the cheaper option and brings almost as much
value to the team. The Denmark-native delivered 25 goals and 33 assists for 58
points in 71 games last season. He has played five NHL seasons since being
drafted ninth overall in 2014. The 24-year-old could be exceptional for
Carolina and reduce the overall workload for first liners. These two teams
should be contacting one another to try and make a deal. A trade involving
Ehlers and Pesce would be extremely beneficial for both teams. Each player is
impactful and brings a lot to the table.Related: Hurricanes'; 5 Best Trades of
All-Time
Depending on the offers out there, the Hurricanes should look to move Pesce. It
is their best bet to add a high-end forward without sacrificing an insane
amount from the squad. Whether it be Toronto, Winnipeg, or any team, someone
will give up a decent package for the defenseman. The Hurricanes already owns
one of the best defensive cores in the league. If Bean is ready for the NHL,
someone will need to be moved. Why not utilize the trade value of Pesce to
maximize their offense?
The post Hurricanes Should Trade Brett Pesce appeared first on The Hockey
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