The Hurricanes made a statement move well in advance of the NHL trade deadline. Carolina GM Eric Tulsky explained the team’s move.

Carolina lost Martin Necas and Jack Drury in the blockbuster deal, but ultimately, Rantanen and Hall provide the team with major upgrades that makes them a stronger legitimate contender overnight; especially with Rantanen, a superstar who sits sixth in NHL scoring.

With Mikko Rantanen set to make his Hurricanes’ debut, the Hurricanes now on the clock to try to convince the pending free agent to avoid going to the open market.