Hurricanes Make Strategic Trade Moves Ahead of NHL Deadline

Carolina Hurricanes utilize cap space to facilitate Maple Leafs' acquisition of Ilya Lyubushkin, still poised for further deadline activity.

The Carolina Hurricanes acted as a third-party in the Maple Leafs' acquisition of defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from Anaheim, taking on 25% of his contract.
Despite using cap space for a late-round pick, the Hurricanes maintain nearly $5.9 million in cap space for additional moves before the trade deadline.
Carolina's front office, led by Don Waddell, is known for strategic deadline decisions, focusing on offseason team building rather than overpaying for rentals.
The Hurricanes are exploring options to bolster their forward ranks, with a focus on adding depth to the bottom six.
Several teams, including the Blackhawks, Sharks, Ducks, Blue Jackets, Coyotes, Senators, Canadiens, Sabres, and more, are potential trade partners for Carolina.