Is there pressure for the Devils and Hurricanes to make a trade?

On Friday’s edition of "Daily Faceoff Live," Matt Larkin and Steven Ellis discuss the arms race for the Metropolitan Division and what it entails for teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils who just watched the New York Rangers acquire Vladimir Tarasenko, and the New York Islanders get Bo Horvat. 

Matt Larkin: We’ve seen in the last two weeks that the Rangers have acquired Tarasenko and of course Bo Horvat going to the Islanders. So I’m wondering now if there’s pressure now in that division specifically to the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils. With all due respect, I don’t think Pittsburgh or Washington are in the same tier. Do you feel like you have to answer the bell now if you’re Carolina or New Jersey? 

Steven Ellis: For sure. When I was doing my original Stanley Cup picks I did pick the Rangers in the summer but then changed my mind to the Hurricanes. But obviously for the Hurricanes not having Pacioretty for a large part of the season has hurt them and that’s a big gap to fill. I think going out and getting a big free agent is kind of the goal here now. For the Devils, I’m kind of cautious about them making any big deals right now as I don’t think they have what it takes to go all the way and need to focus on the future. With the prospects they have, this is a team that can make a long-term thing and be competitive for a while. For the Hurricanes this is their window, they’ve been in it for a couple of years and this is the time for them to make that next step and to see the Rangers go out and get Tarasenko you got to make a move soon.  

Matt Larkin: I think we’re mostly in agreement here. I think there is plenty of pressure on the Canes and they’ve got the highest points percentage in franchise history right now. They’ve been knocking on this door throughout the Rod Brind’Amour era, but they haven’t been able to break it and get to the Finals. So they have to answer the bell, especially because you have the LTIR cap space freed up and that’s $7 million with Pacioretty going there, so you have to weaponize that. I don’t know if that means a Timo Meier or maybe addressing what you need more from a hockey perspective which is a number two center. They lost Vincent Trochek to the New York Rangers and I just don’t think Jesperi Kotkaniemi or Paul Stastny can fill that void. That’s a big need, I wonder if the Canes now kick the tires on Ryan O’Reilly since it’s clear the Blues are in a sellers mode.

For the Devils, I do agree with you but I think it depends a lot on Jack Hughes’s health since he’s battling that injury. So if he’s hurt, all bets are off but if he’s okay then I do think there’s potential for acquiring a piece that can help you beyond this season. If you’re the Devils and you can get a guy like Meier on a line with Nico Hischier, take that big swing. Otherwise, I’m mostly in agreement with you, I think this team is just starting its Stanley Cup contention window. 

You can watch the full episode here…