The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired defenseman Brady Skjei from the New York Rangers in exchange for a conditional 2020 1st round pick. The Rangers receive the latter of Carolina\’s two first rounders.
A former first rounder, Skjei\’s scoring has decreased each season. However, that is on pace to change, as long as Skjei avoids a major slump. The Hurricanes have a lot of talented defenseman, but they are being hit with the injury bug. Dougie Hamilton is already out long term, and Brett Pesce is expected to be out for a while after sustaining an injury in the Hurricanes win over the Maple Leafs. They went out and got Skjei and Sami Vatanen, who is also currently injured. Skjei used to be a power play presence, with 13 power play assists in his first two full seasons. However, he does not have a power play point since. Skjei is also one goal away from a career high. He is a second pairing defenseman. While it is hard to trade a first rounder for him, he is signed for four more seasons after 2019-20 at a $5.25 million cap hit.
Skjei, 25, has scored eight goals with 15 assists for 23 points in 60 games for the Rangers this year. In his NHL career, all in New York, Skjei has scored 25 goals with 87 assists for 112 points in 307 games.
CarterHud 