NHL Trade Deadline: Carolina Hurricanes

February 23 2011 Last updated at 02:00 PM ET

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford has plenty of cap room and some interesting decisions to make in the coming days.

His Hurricanes are battling for one of the final three slots Eastern Conference, much like Carolina did two seasons ago en route to the Eastern Conference Finals. There's little doubt that a team anchored by forward Eric Staal and goalie Cam Ward could have that sort of run in them again, although Rutherford could add a veteran or two to bolster those chances.

The team lost Ray Whitney (free agency) and Rod Brind'Amour (retirement) last offseason, both veteran cogs from the team's 2006 Stanley Cup title team. Rutherford made two moves before the deadline that season, adding forwards Mark Recchi and Doug Weight, and there's a better than decent chance Rutherford may make similar transactions again.

Like 2006, the 'Canes look fairly set up front without out any major moves. Rookie Jeff Skinner, a hit in Raleigh during the All-Star weekend, sits second on the team in points just ahead of Tuomo Ruutu, who is having his best season offensively in the NHL. Add in Staal along with veteran forwards Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen, and the team is in the top third in scoring.

NEEDS

The 'Canes entered play Tuesday ranked 24th in the league in goals against, a step ahead of division rival Tampa Bay. Minus the Lightning's firepower, that's not going to work down the stretch and into the playoffs if Carolina makes it that far. Although the team just dealt defenseman Ian White to the San Jose Sharks, Carolina could be a buyer on the blue line. Adding a veteran forward who is a solid two-way player -- like Phoenix's Eric Belanger, for example -- could make some sense to assist on the 'Canes penalty kill that is ranked 22nd as well.

THE VERDICT

Carolina is in the perfect position with the cap room (about $11 million) and the second-round pick in the 2012 draft via the White trade could be enticing to a team or two there looking to sell.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/23/nhl-trade-deadline-carolina-hurricanes/

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