Despite amassing a perfect 4-0-0 record since the trade that sent Mikko Rantanen out of Raleigh just weeks after his arrival, the Carolina Hurricanes remain overlooked and underrated around the league. The TNT broadcast team that hosted the Dallas Stars 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon made it abundantly clear that the national hockey media views the Hurricanes as the de-facto losers in the entire saga, despite the results, and just the raw facts in general, stating otherwise.
The cold, hard truth is that Rantanen had zero desire to sign an extension or commit to being a long-term Hurricane, which says all that anybody should need to know. The fact he was unwilling to extend with the team prior to the deadline, but immediately extended for eight years with the Stars as soon as it became a possibility, should say even more.
The Canes, through no fault of their own, were stuck in an unwinnable position. They finally made the blockbuster, superstar trade that the fanbase and media for years have been begging for — but the player they acquired was simply using them for leverage. His demeanor, effort level and production on the ice when he arrived — just two goals and six points in 13 games — said more about the situation than Rantanen can ever explain. He mailed it in. His body language told it all. He wanted out — and that’s fine. That’s the risk you take when you acquire anybody on an expiring contract. But the Hurricanes have emerged as net winners.
The initial trade that sent Martin Nečas, Jack Drury, as well as second and fourth-round picks to the Avalanche, was a worthy risk from the start. Not many people factor this into the large scope of the trade, but Nečas, while finally playing to his long-desired potential, was an upcoming unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer of 2026 and had already requested a trade this past summer. He was not going to be a long-term piece, and he was not stylistically a natural fit. Now, if you remove the Rantanen ordeal from the lens entirely, just look at the return the Hurricanes got from Dallas — Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and two third-round picks. Two months removed from the initial deal, the team is ahead of where they started asset-wise, and remain as strong as ever as a contender.
The Kids Are Alright
Sometimes, addition by subtraction can elevate a group more than any individual impact. As the saying goes, one apple can spoil a whole orchard — and while I’m not saying that would have been the case with Rantanen — it was obvious that he was on a different page than the rest of the team. It became even more apparent when the kid they traded him for, Stankoven, came in and made an immediate impact. He is a flawless fit in the Canes’ system. He’s hard-nosed and full of energy, he can be effective playing pretty much anywhere in the lineup, and most importantly — he wants to be here. He’s appreciative to be part of such a strong core group, and the fact that he cares already makes him more valuable than somebody who doesn’t.
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The Hurricanes have also been able to get a look at surging young prospect Scott Morrow over the past few games as Dmitry Orlov deals with a minor injury. And while it’s never a good idea to get ahead of yourself when talking about a 22-year-old defenseman on an eight-game sample size, he has looked the part in every facet of the game. His stretch passing is outstanding, and he has very good smarts. He pinches at the right times and makes safe, high-upside decisions. In a season where both Orlov and Brent Burns have been much maligned by the fan base, Morrow has pounced on his opportunity and has made a strong case to be in the lineup moving forward. Coupled with Alexander Nikishin’s upcoming arrival from Russia, the Canes’ defense corps is shaping up amongst the best groups in hockey.
Maintaining Team Identity
Make no mistake about it, Rod Brind’Amour’s system is the driving force behind the team’s sustained success. Whether or not it will ever result in a Stanley Cup parade is for the future to decide, but this team has been a perennial playoff threat for seven straight years, and that is a testament to the system. The team attacks and defends as a complete five-man unit, which is especially important when relying on a man-on-man defensive strategy. If any individual player is not completely bought into that philosophy and committed to it on the ice, it’s extremely noticeable and easy to point out. It’s a totally cohesive effort that is only as strong as the weakest link.
As long as the Hurricanes have the buy-in, they have a chance. Mark Jankowski, who arrived on deadline day to practically zero buzz, has the buy-in. He became the first player on record to score on each of his first four shots on goal with a new team — which, while also being completely unsustainable and a sheer stroke of luck — is the ultimate confirmation of the team’s identity. If you’re willing to commit, work hard and embrace the Hurricane way, you’re likely to get rewarded for it. You’re likely to have success, and you’re likely to be competitive. It speaks volumes when a journeyman fourth-liner like Jankowski has already doubled Rantanen’s goal total in nine fewer games.
There is no man bigger than the team. For the Hurricanes, that’s their advantage. While Rantanen is considered amongst the best wingers in hockey, this team can be net-positive with lesser players like Stankoven and Jankowski if they care. And so far, the results have said it all. They’re currently on a seven-game winning streak, firing on all cylinders and playing their best hockey of the season — and all it took was the national media to put a fork in them on trade deadline day. The one thing that no analytics or statistics can measure is heart, which this team has in abundance. As long as the identity remains, they can never be counted out in any playoff series.
Recap
While in an ideal world Rantanen would have embraced the city of Raleigh and the Hurricanes’ system, sometimes things don’t happen as planned, and you have to pivot on the fly. The Canes were thrown a curveball and have seemingly knocked it out of the park, with their acquisitions being seamless fits and putting a chip on the team’s shoulder in the process. Sometimes, being overlooked and labelled as an underdog can elevate a group even further, as self-belief and pride become important factors. The Canes’ core remains in place and as strong as ever, and their playoff destiny is in their own hands.
