As first reported by Pierre LeBrun, the Hurricanes swung a last-minute deadline deal Monday and completed their search for a right-handed defenseman, adding Jani Hakanpaa and a sixth-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Haydn Fleury.
This is Hakanpaa’s first full season in the NHL; he’s played 42 games for the Ducks this year with one assist. The Finn should definitely bring a physical presence to the Canes’ blue line, with 168 hits and 65 blocked shots this season.
The trade brings Fleury’s Hurricanes career to an end. After being drafted seventh overall in the 2014 draft, Fleury made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes in the 2017-18 season, his first of four seasons (including this one) in Carolina.