At least the Carolina Hurricanes can win the trade deadline.
As they stagger toward an eighth straight season without a playoff appearance, imminently the longest active drought in the NHL, they at least were able to turn a couple of expiring contracts into future assets, beyond any expectations.
A second-round draft pick for Ron Hainsey? A generous gift from former Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford.
A third-round pick for Viktor Stalberg? Not bad at all.
Even though both those deals were made before Wednesday’s trade deadline – the Hurricanes were unable to move Jay McClement or Derek Ryan on Wednesday, and Ryan Murphy is still here despite rumored interest – the two draft picks are actually a decent return for depreciating property, if you’re willing to overlook the fact that the Hurricanes were in this position again, dumping instead of adding, out of contention instead of in it.