The team sits within striking distance of punching its first ticket to the playoffs since the 2008-09 season, but faces uncertainty regarding captain Eric Staal's future.
The 31-year-old's best days may be behind him, but Staal remains an ample body up front who can provide offense, leadership, and skill to a lineup.
The Hurricanes could potentially lose their franchise cornerstone when he becomes a unrestricted free agent this summer. With no signs that an extension is coming, it would be in the club's best interest to deal Staal and further stock the cupboards for the future.
If the Hurricanes truly have that mindset, their most logical trade partner is the Chicago Blackhawks.
Here's three reasons why Staal to the Blackhawks makes sense:
Blackhawks 'aggressively' seeking top-line winger
Last week, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that the Blackhawks are "very aggressively" looking to add a top-line left winger. The team has been satisfied with bruiser-turned-scorer Andrew Shaw, but would still like to add a more accomplished scorer to its top trio.
Next to Shaw and rookie sensation Artemi Panarin - who occupies the second contingent alongside Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov, arguably the most productive threesome in the league - the left side is thin for the Blackhawks.
Andrew Desjardins and Bradon Mashinter currently occupy the third- and fourth-line duties, and have combined for just 10 goals and 12 points this season.
Staal is among a handful of names who are believed to be in play approaching the deadline, alongside Loui Eriksson, Andrew Ladd, and Mikkel Boedker. However, with Staal historically being the bigger producer in the playoffs, he seems like an ideal fit as a rental.
Of course, Staal is a natural centerman and would have to move to the wing. But on a roster such as Chicago's, and with the potential to play alongside Jonathan Toews on the top line, sliding over shouldn't be a problem.
Bowman's experience juggling the cap
This isn't Stan Bowman's first rodeo. And who better to pull off a coup for Staal than Chicago's GM?
Bowman has proved to be a wizard when it comes to playing within the boundaries of the salary cap, never letting it stop him from acquiring assets. Last season saw him trade for two-way forward Antoine Vermette and veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who provided balance and depth to the eventual Cup-winning squad.
Even as Kane's and Toews' matching eight-year contract extensions kicked in this season, each with an average cap hit of $10.5 million, Bowman has been able to wheel and deal, icing a roster with the third-highest point total through 62 games.
The Blackhawks are expected to have just under $4.8 million in cap space on deadline day, according to General Fanager, so Bowman may have to pull another rabbit out of his hat.
It might be hard to bring on Staal's $8.25-million cap hit, but if there is a general manager who can create the room, it's Bowman.
Staal not the center of attention
Also making Chicago a fitting environment for Staal is the fact that he'd become part of the supporting cast, easing the pressure on him to produce consistently.
Staal for too long has been the lone notable star in Carolina. In Chicago, with a core built around the likes of Toews, Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook, Staal would serve as an added boost to the league's seventh-most potent offense.
While Staal is on pace for his least productive season since his rookie campaign, he would be surrounded with more offensive talent than he's been accustomed to with the Hurricanes.
There appears to be a changing of the guard in Carolina. The club's young talent has begun shouldering the bulk of responsibility and more of the production.
Staal sits fifth on the team in scoring and it might be time for the Hurricanes to swap him for prospects and youngsters. In turn, Staal could have a real shot at another Cup in Chicago.
The Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks remain the hottest teams in the league. However, the St. Louis Blues are joining the conversation, closing in on the Central Division leaders despite a banged-up roster.
Here are this week's NHL power rankings:
1. Washington Capitals (Last Week: 1)
The Capitals became the fastest team to 44 wins in NHL history on Monday. With a matchup against the Canadiens on Wednesday, something tells us they'll be the fastest team to hit the 45-win mark too.
2. Anaheim Ducks ▲ (Last Week: 5)
Remember when the Ducks went 1-7-2 in October? They're 30-12-6 since, 12-1-1 in their last 14 games, and four of their next five contests are against the struggling Sabres, Oilers, Canadiens, and Coyotes.
3. St. Louis Blues ▲ (Last Week: 4)
Brian Elliott went 12-3-2 in 17 games during Jake Allen's absence, but the Blues just can't seem to shake the injury bug - placing the red-hot goalie and his vintage mask on long-term injured reserve. You're up, Jake.
4. Chicago Blackhawks ▼ (Last Week: 3)
The Blackhawks lost their second consecutive outdoor game - and third of four overall - on Sunday, getting embarrassed 6-1 by the Wild. To no one's surprise, Patrick Kane scored Chicago's lone goal, putting him 15 points clear of Jamie Benn in the Art Ross Trophy race.
5. Dallas Stars ▼ (Last Week: 2)
The Stars have dropped three of four games, giving up 18 goals in the process. You can only get so far with a potent offense, and general manager Jim Nill must make landing a top-four defenseman at the deadline a priority.
6. New York Rangers ▲ (Last Week: 9)
The Rangers are 4-1-1 in six games without their captain, thanks in large part to the suddenly unmovableKeith Yandle. The pending unrestricted free agent has a point in six of his last seven games.
After falling out of a playoff position, the Lightning have won four games in a row, clawing their way up the standings and putting pressure on the Atlantic-leading Panthers.
9. New York Islanders ▲ (Last Week: 11)
Thanks to their captain, the Islanders are 6-1-1 in their last eight games.
Tavares' impressive numbers should only get better: New York's next four games are against the Flames, Oilers, Canucks, and Jets.
10. Los Angeles Kings ▼ (Last Week: 7)
Anze Kopitar scored the game-winner in his return to the lineup Tuesday. The Kings have 11 goals in their last six games, and Kopitar has five of them despite missing over 100 minutes of action during that span. Note to Jeff Carter: Four goals in 31 games since Dec. 1 isn't good enough.
11. San Jose Sharks ▼ (Last Week: 9)
The Roman Polak era begins in San Jose on Wednesday. Adding to the excitement, the Sharks joined the Capitals as the only teams to clinch a winning road record this season.
12. Detroit Red Wings ▲ (Last Week: 13)
Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom got a firsthand look at the kids carrying the torch in Detroit on Tuesday. Petr Mrazek got back on track with an impressive 28-save performance, while 21-year-old Andreas Athanasiou scored a beautiful shootout winner.
13. Nashville Predators ▲ (Last Week: 15)
Ryan Johansen's recorded just one assist in his last seven games, but that hasn't stopped Nashville from picking up critical points: The Predators haven't lost in regulation during his cold stretch.
14. Boston Bruins ▼ (Last Week: 10)
With seven goals in his last seven games, Loui Eriksson is certainly giving the Bruins something to think about ahead of the trade deadline.
Gino's return can't come soon enough. The Penguins sit just one point up on a playoff spot heading into a massive tilt with the Bruins on Wednesday.
16. Minnesota Wild ▲ (Last Week: 25)
The Wild put on a show in front of 50,426 fans Sunday. They're finally playing good hockey again, winning four in a row - while scoring 20 goals - to jump back into the playoff race with their new bench boss.
17. Carolina Hurricanes (Last Week: 17)
The Hurricanes are still alive with points in seven of 10, snapping Shayne Gostisbehere's record-setting point streak in the process.
18. Ottawa Senators ▲ (Last Week: 21)
Is a 21-3-3 run to end the season possible two years in a row? Winners of four straight, the Senators sit just four points back of a playoff spot with 21 games to go.
19. Colorado Avalanche ▼ (Last Week: 16)
The Avalanche have come back to earth after going 18-8-2 from Dec. 1 to Jan. 27, putting together a 4-5-1 stretch since the All-Star break.
20. New Jersey Devils ▼ (Last Week: 18)
The Devils aren't going to go away because Cory Schneider won't allow them to go away.
P.K. Subban's response to Michel Therrien's ridiculous postgame comments? Back-to-back 30-minute performances to get the Canadiens three of four points. Fans certainly have reason to be upset with their star player, though: Montreal would already have locked up a top-three pick without him.
26. Calgary Flames ▼ (Last Week: 24)
The Flames dropped back-to-back games to the Ducks and Kings, giving them the second-worst road record in the NHL at 9-17-3.
27. Vancouver Canucks ▲ (Last Week: 28)
The Canucks surrendered five goals in four consecutive games over six days last week, leaving us all thinking the exact same thing:
The Canucks aren't purposely tanking. They just happen to be stumbling into one because they have absolutely no idea what they're doing.
Andrew Ladd has likely played his last game in Winnipeg. With four straight losses and the Stars, Penguins, Panthers, and Islanders - all currently playoff teams - on the horizon, the Jets appear primed to add to their impressive prospect pool.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs ▲ (Last Week: 30)
They aren't winning on the ice, but Rich Clune and the Maple Leafs are certainly making headlines off of it - and a pair of second-round picks for Polak and Nick Spaling was an absolute steal.
30. Edmonton Oilers ▼ (Last Week: 29)
Five losses in a row make the once-laughable thought of Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews on the same team much less funny.
Mike Yeo might have seen the writing on the wall before being fired by the Minnesota Wild, but the former head coach admitted Wednesday that it still affected him.
Yeo said things just didn't seem right, even when the Wild were winning earlier in the season.
"We had the best (first half) in franchise history, and things never felt right."
Even though the Wild's previous success ultimately played a role in his dismissal, Yeo said he was most proud of the fact that the Wild raised expectations.
Minnesota fired Yeo on Feb. 13 after suffering their eighth straight defeat, a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
After the game, the 42-year-old said, "I'm a realist. You can't lose every game and expect to think that there's not going to be changes."
Zucker suffered a concussion when he was leveled by an open-ice hit from Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival during Sunday's Stadium Series game.
The earliest Jason Zucker could be activated off injured reserve is Monday, so he'll miss at least the next 3 #mnwild games
Longtime San Jose Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday.
Hannan played 16 seasons in the league, spending parts of 11 as a member of the Sharks. He went unsigned as a free agent this season.
"I was extremely fortunate to play in the NHL with five great organizations," Hannan said in a release. "I'd like to thank all of my teammates and coaches over the years who have contributed so much to my career. It's also very gratifying to end my NHL career where it started - with the San Jose Sharks.
"I'd be remiss for not also thanking Bruce Hamilton and Lorne Frey with the Kelowna Rockets for putting me on the path to have a chance to play in the NHL. Most importantly, I want to thank all of my family, particularly my wife Kristina and my boys, Gage and Owen. Their sacrifices have allowed me the opportunity to follow this dream of playing in the National Hockey League."
The 37-year-old sits sixth on the Sharks' all-time games played list with 626, and is one of only six Sharks to suit up in more than 600 games with the franchise.
Clune told TSN's Mark Masters what he said to Nashville Predators center Cody Bass when the two tough guys got up close and personal during the pregame warmup prior to the Predators' 3-2 win.
It's as close as the NHL gets to cutting WWE-style promos, and it didn't take long for others to make that connection.
Lazar was also penalized for hooking on the play, but it was a frustrating night for the Oilers, who lost 4-1 - dropping their fifth straight game and suffering their eighth defeat in the last nine contests.
It doesn't get any easier for Edmonton, either, as the Oilers embark on a back-to-back western road swing against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks on Thursday and Friday.
The exasperation comes at the end of a day whereupon general manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed the Oilers are sellers heading into the NHL's trade deadline, calling out players who have underachieved.
With the loss, Edmonton sits at the bottom of the NHL standings, and will have a chance at the first overall pick for the fifth time in seven years.
