The Moves The Carolina Hurricanes Need to Make Before the Trade Deadline

As the trade deadline slowly lingers around there are some moves to be made. Not necessarily big. Not necessarily, well necessary. But change is need in Caniac Nation.

The team has battled inconsistent offensive effort, match with inconsistent defensive effort all season long. There are a handful of players that could be on the chopping block and a handful of players that could join the Red Sea.

Chopping Block

No. 5 Frantisek Kaberle, Defenseman

Frankie is an excellent Defenseman. But as of today he has only played in 26 games, mostly due to injury and a few healthy scratches. At the age of 35, he certainly isn't getting any younger, and the Albany Riverrats have an excellent crew of young defenseman, including young talents Bryan Rodney and Casey Borer.

Kaberle may be a veteran of age, but he is still a hot hand with the assists, however he doesn't score many goals. Don't be surprised if Kaberle gets shipped out possibly to Boston who has been rumored to been looking for size in front of the net for Thomas.

Positives: Work Effort, Defense, Plus/Minus

Negatives: Age, Durability, Salary

No 59 Chad LaRose, Winger

Chad is an exciting young scrapper. He flies to the puck and grinds his way to get most of his goals. However most of his goals are grind goals, and at 5'8 he doesn't have a good size to be a successful grinder in the NHL, and he doesn't have the shot that can get him to be a top six forward in the NHL.

In 60 games he has 21 points, and only eight assists. Being in the top three lines, he should have better stats for a player who hasn't missed a game this season. LaRose always plays at 100 percent though.

Don't be surprised if LaRose gets dealt out for at the least a draft pick, and or a few minor leaguers. He could be a nice fit on a team like Edmonton or Florida, a team with high shooting from their defenseman.

Positives: Age, Durability, Works 100% Full Shift always on or near the puck

Negatives: Lacks scoring, size, and consistency, expiring contract

No 44 Patrick Eaves, Winger

Patrick Eaves has got to be one of the most disappointing players in the NHL this season. After a very promising rookie campaign with the Ottawa Senators he showed a lot of potential. He was traded late last season at the deadline for Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore while the Canes grabbed Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves.

In his 55 games played this season he has only a meager eight points, and has even dropped down to play the fourth line on occasion this season. He is only 24 right now, and his best days are most likely not over, but if the Canes want to make a run to the playoffs, maybe trading away Eaves could help.

Jussi Jokinen has already showing glitz and glimmer since showing up, and Eaves is still dull. We have tons of younger talent, that can do the same as him. Why not let them get a chance if Eaves can't get it done.

Don't be surprised if Eaves gets traded to a team with nothing to lose such as Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Phoenix or even Pittsburgh, who could use him in their late playoff run.

Positives: Age, Wrist Shot, top six forward caliber

Negatives: Inconsistency, Lack of Production, salary

Possible Canes?

Olli Jokinen, Center, Phoenix Coyotes

Olli Jokinen is a natural goal scorer. He has shown he can score 40 goals in a season, and there is no reason he cant hit 100 points in a season. Except he can't find his way to a good team. He takes a lot of shots, similar to another Canes player, Eric Staal.

Jokinen may be out of reach though. He has a high lingering salary, and Phoenix will more than likely not put an easy bargain on Jokinen. Expect a big (young) name to leave Carolina if Jokinen sails ship to Raleigh.

Petr Prucha, Winger, New York Rangers

Petr Prucha is also a natural goal scorer. He has scored as many as thirty goals in a season with the Rangers. Since 2007 he has mostly simmered down. Prucha is a talented kid and only 25. Playing in an inconsistent atmosphere with no set top six forwards doesnt help his situation. Prucha could settle nicely as a top nine forward for Carolina.