The Carolina Hurricanes will likely be busy leading up to the trade deadline. Carolina currently leads the Metropolitan Division by eight points and is widely viewed as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. The club, however, does have one or two potentially serious roster issues heading towards the playoffs.
Rod Brind’Amour’s team is one of the few NHL sides that both put up points and play solid defense. In fact, the Hurricanes are averaging the sixth-best goals per game (3.39) and the seventh-best goals allowed per game (2.81) in the league. Despite this, Carolina could be looking to bring in a new goalie and center via trade.
Brandon Bussi has been incredible for the club throughout the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, veteran netminder Frederik Andersen has posted disappointing numbers this season and is heading towards free agency in the summer. Typical backup Pyotr Kochetkov is also out for the remainder of the current campaign with an injury. St. Louis Blues standout Jordan Binnington could become an interesting option for GM Eric Tulsky in the coming days.
Perhaps a more realistic acquisition for Carolina would be at center. Several quality forwards have been linked with the Hurricanes in recent weeks. Nashville Predators star Ryan O’Reilly could just be the most likely target for the club, though. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos and The Athletic’s Cory Lavalette are both claiming that the veteran would be a great fit in Raleigh.
Ryan O’Reilly Would Improve the Carolina Hurricanes in Multiple Areas
GettyRyan O’Reilly is still producing points at the age of 35.
Kypreos specifically linked the Hurricanes with O’Reilly in his latest trade board. According to the insider, the 35-year-old center could bring some much-needed toughness to Carolina. “If the Hurricanes think they need to shore up their roster with some grit, I could see them taking a run at O’Reilly,” claimed the reporter.
Despite his age, the forward is still producing for a struggling Nashville team. O’Reilly has racked up 56 points in 57 games during the 2025-26 season. This particular figure is already better than what he produced all of last year. Kypreos also hinted that Carolina could have a key advantage in targeting the star. The Montreal Canadiens are also apparently interested in the center, but the reporter suggests that O’Reilly wants to go “somewhere quieter.”
Lavalette, on the other hand, points to specific areas on the ice where O’Reilly would improve the Hurricanes. On top of his point production, the veteran remains one of the better faceoff specialists in the NHL. This is a particular area of concern for Carolina. Overall, the team’s faceoff win rate of 50.6% ranks just 14th in the league. Logan Stankoven’s subpar 44.4% faceoff success while playing out of position is a problem.
Hurricanes Need a New Center to Balance Roster
Potentially acquiring a center such as O’Reilly would allow Stankoven to move back to his normal spot on the wing. Brind’Amour has attempted to use the youngster as a 2C throughout the campaign, but it has not worked out well. The former Dallas Star is much better off playing as a winger.
On top of his faceoff success and possibly pushing Stankoven back out wide, O’Reilly has also thrived in the playoffs. The forward previously collected the Conn Smythe award with St. Louis in 2019 and has 67 total points in 81 postseason appearances during his career.
Hurricanes Named Great Fit for Star Veteran on Trade Block