The Hurricanes would use Michael Bunting as bait to go after a goalie

Like the Habs, the Hurricanes are looking to solve their problem in front of the net.

The problem in Carolina isn’t the same as in Montreal, though. The Hurricanes are looking to add the services of a goaltender who can do the job, because Pyotr Kochetkov and Antti Raanta have been unreliable this season.

It’s also worth mentioning that Frederik Andersen, the team’s number-one goaltender, is injured and unlikely to return to action anytime soon. The Hurricanes’ medical staff have discovered a clot in the goalie’s blood, and there’s no word on whether he’ll return to the game, because they obviously want to prioritize his health.

And according to Elliotte Friedman, there’s one player in particular in Carolina who could leave to make room for the goalie we’re looking for.

I’m talking about Michael Bunting:

There are rumors around the league that Carolina is looking to free up space to go after a goalie, and Bunting’s name has come up. – Elliotte Friedman

Michael Bunting agreed to a three-year contract with the Hurricanes this summer, binding him to the team until the end of the 25-26 season and paying an average salary of $4.5 million per season.

The former Leafs pest is having a good season (25 points in 36 games), and his style of play is of great interest to various NHL teams. Everyone knows that he’s a hard worker and that he’s useful to a team, because he excels at disrupting opponents on the ice…

Basically, it would be easy to create a deal between the Hurricanes and the Habs because Jake Allen is available and because he could be a big help in Carolina, from the standpoint that the team needs leadership and from the standpoint that the club is fighting for a playoff spot.

But I have a hard time seeing Kent Hughes handcuffing himself to salary by picking up another third-trio style forward. The Habs already have grinders on their roster (Bunting is a deluxe one, but still) and don’t need another striker of that style.

Although, I’d be relatively curious to see Bunting on the team’s first trio, alongside Suzuki and Caufield… But if it doesn’t work out, the Habs would lose a spot in their lineup, and that spot could go to a promising young player who needs time to develop.

In brief

– There you have it. That’s a good summary.

Canada took the hit it’s often taken from other countries over the years. 3-2 loss vs TCH.

This team never played 60 good minutes today it was much more in the 1st period that ECJ dropped this game than with 11 sec. to go

No 3rd in a row

– Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) January 2, 2024

– He’s happy, as usual.

– Big deal in the QMJHL.

– Hehe. C’est comique.

RULES: answer a question honestly or sniff a smelling salt.

Full video with @thepwhlofficial is on TSN’s YouTube! pic.twitter.com/NvIgW7dqnj

– BarDown (@BarDown) January 2, 2024