At the 2019-20 NHL trade deadline, down two elite right-handed defensemen to long-term injuries, the Carolina Hurricanes went out and got not just one but two new right-handed defensemen in Brady Skjei and Sami Vatanen.
Now, hockey’s gearing up to return and the Hurricanes are looking at eight, legit NHL defensemen and wondering who the hell is going to make the final cut and Vatanen is one of those players hoping to make an impact.
“I’m ready to go,” Vatanen said over Zoom after Tuesday’s practice. “Health wise, I feel 100%.