Occasionally we will come up with trade ideas to talk about here on the blog, especially during the dog days of summer when real hockey news can be lacking. (Sometimes we get one right, most times we do not.)
Right now the Hurricanes have six defensemen signed to one-way deals, (or who have locked up a spot): Tim Gleason, Joni Pitkanen, Joe Corvo, Jamie McBain, Anton Babchuk, and Jay Harrison. Three more are signed to two-way deals, Bobby Sanguinetti, Casey Borer, and Bryan Rodney.
Some fans are concerned about the blueline and even Jim Rutherford mentioned that he was still trying to sign either Brett Carson or Alexandre Picard, two previous RFA's who were not tendered qualifying offers. Carson would probably be the preferred choice here, a home grown stay at home guy who was solid in his own end last season. But the previous one-way deal which was offered to him before Joe Corvo was signed is now off the table and a two-way contract has been offered in it's place. Will he accept it?
The Canes seem to be loaded with potential at the forward position, so much so that perhaps a couple of young guns who think they might deserve to be in Raleigh, might end up in Charlotte. Eric Staal, Erik Cole, Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Sutter, Sergei Samsonov, Chad LaRose, Tom Kostopoulos, and Jiri Tlusty all have one way deals. That takes up nine of twelve starting slots. Patrick Dwyer with his two-way would probably pick up the 10th. (edited)
Zac Dalpe, Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman, Oskar Osala, Jonathan Matsumoto, and Jerome Samson are the front runners for the other (two) starting spots. Add in the possibilities of Jeff Skinner and Riley Nash and the competition will be will be very tough.
One idea for consideration? Instead of trying to re-sign Carson, why not trade a forward for an established defenseman?
One move that might make sense is to trade Sergei Samsonov to Vancouver for defenseman Kevin Bieksa. After the jump we will look at why this trade could work for both teams.
Carolina could use Bieksa for a number of reasons. He's known as a physical defenseman who initiates contact. He's experienced, aggressive, and he plays with an edge. (Sometimes too much of an edge). The blueliner also has some skill and can chip in on offense.
He's on the block because the Canucks are overloaded with defensemen, including newly acquired Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis. The 'Nucks are also up against the Cap, if not over it.
Samsonov could be a decent option for them because, even though he had an off season last year, he has skill they could use. He might look pretty good setting up the Sedin twins and playing in a more open offense. While they have too many defensemen, Vancouver is short on forwards and they need help in that area.
The money situation would work out well for both teams.
Bieksa has a $3.5 million cap hit and is due to earn that much this coming season, the last on his contract.
Samsonov has a $2.5 million cap hit, but is due to be paid $2.8 million. He is also on the final year of his contract.
Vancouver would save a million on their tight cap space, remove an excess body on the blueline, and gain help on offense.
Carolina would solve a need while toughening up the blueline, plus they would keep their out-of-pocket finances about the same. Bieksa's salary is about $700,000 higher than Samsonov's, but the Canes would no longer need to sign Carson, or another defenseman. After all is said and done, the money situation would be about the same.
What do you think? Should both teams pull the trigger?