Report card grades for all 31 NHL teams at the trade deadline

Carolina Hurricanes: C-

The Carolina Hurricanes were not active during the trade deadline this year. Some thought that new owner Tom Dundon would push the team to be more aggressive. Instead, the Hurricanes stuck their plan and made only one minor trade. The Hurricanes have had a moderately successful season, and they are only five points out of the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. If Carolina can get some consistent goaltending, it can sneak into the playoffs. Goaltending was one of the areas Carolina could’ve addressed at the deadline.

The Hurricanes decided to address the forward position by trading for Greg McKegg from Pittsburgh, sending Josh Jooris to the Penguins. Mckegg has struggled this year, but a fresh start in Carolina could do him justice. McKegg has never been a high point scorer; his game is more of a third line checking line game.

Ron Francis has built a team from the blue line out. The Hurricanes have plenty of strong defensive players and prospects. This strategy can often lead to a hole in forward lines, which is the problem Carolina is facing. Noah Hanifin and Justin Faulk lead the blue line currently, but besides Jeff Skinner, there is no real scoring threat among the forwards. Carolina could be on a whole other level with a talented goal scorer in its lineup. The Hurricanes will look for a goal scorer this summer around the draft as more teams start to sell. Carolina gets a C- because it did not add anything of real use while it’s in a playoff chase.