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Potential Trade Partner For Mark Scheifele Likely Willing To Move A Top Defenseman

The Carolina Hurricanes have a backlog on defense. After having a relatively complete defensive core heading into the offseason, they went out and acquired three more NHL defensemen; Dmitry Orlov, Tony DeAngelo, and Caleb Jones.

In a recent article for The Hockey News, Lyle Richardson went over the possibility of the Hurricanes moving Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei.

"Given the Hurricanes' blueline depth, they can afford to part with Skjei or Pesce in a deal to add a scoring forward. Skjei carries an average annual value of $5.25 million, while Pesce carries a cap hit of $4.025 million.

Waddell could target clubs with forward depth looking to bolster their defense corps. Given the high number of clubs in the same boat cap-wise as the Hurricanes, it could be a dollar-in, dollar-out trade scenario."

The Hurricanes center group currently has a massive hole at the 2C. With Jesperi Kotkaniemi currently filling that gap, it looks rather shaky on what he can do in that role. They also need goal scoring with only three players scoring over 20 goals and Sebastian Aho leading the way with 36 goals.

Mark Scheifele is coming off a 42-goal campaign which would give Carolina a massive boost offensively. He is also just a tad more expensive than Skjei or Pesce which means there would be minimal salary retention on Winnipeg's side.

Pesce currently has a 15-team no-trade-clause and Skjei has a 10-team no-trade-clause but if either does not have Winnipeg on their lists or is willing to waive, then we could see either being shipped up north.

Previously on Hockey OTB

Insider Buzz: Patrick Kane Has Already Chosen His Next NHL Home?

Breaking: Jonathan Toews Releases Official Statement on his Future

Shocking Info Connects Connor Bedard to the Blackhawks Before the Draft

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17 AOUT \| 166 ANSWERS Potential Trade Partner For Mark Scheifele Likely Willing To Move A Top Defenseman Would you trade Mark Scheifele for Brady Skjei or Brett Pesce 1 for 1?
Yes	60	36.1 %
No	106	63.9 %
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