From TSN’s Darren Dreger:
As discussed last night on Insider Trading...big options ahead for the Carolina Hurricanes. Ward trade likely in the summer. Other names...
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
..either Skinner or E.Staal also potentially in play. All depends on gm J.Rutherford's future and his decision to move up, stay same or out.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
Potential player changes, coaching changes, management changes. So much to consider in Carolina this summer.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2014
You can watch the video segment here. Dreger says it’s “highly likely” that Ward will be traded, though one has to wonder what kind of market there will be for a goalie with a .893 save percentage this season, not to mention the $6.3 million cap hit through 2015-16 and all the injuries the 30-year-old has dealt with in the past few years. (That Conn Smythe Trophy he won in 2006 was a while ago now.)
Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner, if there are indeed in play, would garner interest. However, it sounds like the first order of business will be determining the future of president/general manager Jim Rutherford (who don’t forget also has a minority ownership stake in the franchise), after which the coaching and player decisions could be made, either by Rutherford or a new GM.