The Carolina Hurricanes have been mentioned as one half of a plethora of NHL trade rumors already this season.
With the March deadline inching nearer, the Canes and GM Ron Francis are expected to be sellers, potentially moving out pieces like defenseman Andrej Sekera and forwards Jiri Tlusty and Jay McClement for an infusion of NHL draft picks and prospects.
While it's still extremely likely that Sekera, Tlusty and perhaps even McClement are dealt ahead of the NHL's deadline, it seems you can go ahead and add another altogether surprising Hurricane name to the list of potential trade pieces - forward Jeff Skinner.
"According to one league source, Francis seems willing to listen to what other teams have to say, but is not actively trying to trade the Toronto native," reveals a report from The Fourth Period.
"It's believed the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks have expressed some level of interest in Skinner..."
Skinner, 22, has been an absolute beast for the Canes since entering the league in the first-round of the 2010 NHL Draft, but has been beset by a number of injuries causing him to miss significant time in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
He saw a return to the initial electric form he showed in his rookie year last season, posting 33 goals and 54 points in 71 games.
This year, his numbers are down a bit - 13 goals and 9 assists in 52 games - and he's been relegated to third-line duty alongside Riley Nash and the unbelievably disappointing Alexander Semin.
Of course, the Canes have been atrocious as a team this year - with 49 points, they're only slightly ahead of the Coyotes, Oilers and Sabres for the rights to worst team in the NHL - so it's hard to fault one player for not producing enough on a failing squad.
While it sounds like a deal for Skinner is unlikely to come ahead of the March trade deadline, talks may pick up around the NHL Draft in June should Francis remain open to dealing the young winger.
