Uncertainty persists over Mikko Rantanen's future with the Carolina Hurricanes during NHL trade deadline week.

Beyond Rantanen, there are pending free agent veterans like Brock Nelson and Ryan O'Reilly, who could give a playoff team excellent depth and experience down the middle. In net, J

The best fit for Brock Nelson is the Minnesota Wild. While the Islanders won't be able to get a 2025 first-round pick in the deal, they could pull away a defensive prospect that would help them. The Wild would get better by making this deal, could re-sign him this offseason, and sell the “hometown kid” aspect of the deal.

Staring down the barrel of an NHL trade that really should not happen, but very well might happen because of how asset management works in the league. The Carolina Hurricanes are second in the Eastern Conference,