Hurricanes ‘actively seeking' to trade expensive member of their cup-winning roster
Photo credit: Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Tonight, a new report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes are actively shopping former top-five pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
The Carolina Hurricanes are coming off of their second Stanley Cup win in franchise history and are now heading into the 2026 offseason looking to re-load.
The Hurricanes have built the current core group to be able to contend for multiple years but are beginning to run out of salary cap space to surround that core group with support.
As a result, the Hurricanes are looking to clear salary cap space so they can properly add new talent.
Initially, the Hurricanes were expected to buy out former top-five pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi to clear salary cap space for this summer.
However, a new report from insider Frank Seravalli indicates the Hurricanes are aggressively trying to trade Kotkaniemi instead.
Carolina Hurricanes reportedly shopping former top-five pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi
According to the latest report from Severalli, the Hurricanes have been aggressively exploring the trade market and are hopeful a deal involving Kotkaniemi will emerge.
To be clear, Carolina is actively seeking to trade Kotkaniemi now. With rising cap, $4.8 million for a 3C will be the new norm, so he is seen as a player with trade value considering there are so few centers available. They'll wait til that materializes. But no buyout.
Kotkaniemi, 25, arrived in Carolina after signing as a restricted free agent leaving the Montreal Canadiens who drafted him 3rd overall.
Unfortunately, things did not go well for Kotkaniemi this season as he struggled to find a consistent role and was repeatedly left out of the lineup during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Still, the upcoming free agent class being incredibly light, Kotkaniemi's age, size, and speed profile likely make him one of the better options on the trade market.
As more news surfaces on Kotkaniemi's future in the coming days we will pass that news along to you.
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