Depending on where you look, it is estimated that anywhere from 60-70% of NHL players shoot left, making the remaining 30-40% righties. Of that percentage, most are forwards, resulting in a rather small pool of right handed defenseman available. Ideally, each NHL team would love to have a lefty and righty on each pair, making these types of players a valuable asset.
The Carolina Hurricanes are one of a select few that have an access of NHL caliber ‘RHD’, thus leading to constant trade rumors surrounding the team. Although there’s still a chance we could see the long rumored D for a forward swap, it’s not as likely as it would have been a year or two ago with Justin Faulk and Trevor van Riemsdyk pending UFAs this offseason, and Dougie Hamilton the next.