ESPN Trade Suggestion for Canes

[Munch4455]

Carolina Hurricanes

The problem: The offseason acquisitions of Alexander Semin and Jordan Staal have paid off for Carolina, as the Canes are a much-improved team at even strength compared to last season. Only five teams have scored more five-on-five goals than the Hurricanes and they post a strong plus-12 goal differential at even strength, too. Special teams and defense have been their downfall, though. Both Carolina's power play and penalty kill are in the bottom five of the NHL and the Canes' rate of 2.38 goals-against per game is the 10th worst in the NHL. The injury bug has also hit Carolina very hard, as Tim Gleason, Joni Pitkanen, Jeff Skinner, Cam Ward, Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain have all missed considerable time, and the Canes are going to be without Faulk and Ward for at least a few more weeks.

The fix: Stephane Robidas, D, Stars

With Faulk out and a blue-line corps consisting of mostly second- and third-pairing guys, the Hurricanes are going to need more than just a typical "veteran defenseman," which is why Robidas would be a good fit. Robidas is one of the best-kept secrets in the NHL and has been a key cog on the Dallas blue line for the past few years. His ability to log big minutes and play in all situations would give the Hurricanes a top-pairing defenseman to take pressure off guys like Pitkanen and Jay Harrison, who have been doing most of the heavy lifting in Faulk's absence. Robidas also has a very affordable cap hit of $3.3 million, so that along with his versatility would make him a good pickup for the Canes. He also isn't a bad player for some of Carolina's younger defensemen to learn from.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Robidas for Jokinen.

[kman72]

Robidas for Jokinen.

I would in a heartbeat