Fans of the Carolina Hurricanes are sad this evening in the aftermath of a trade that sent Niclas Wallin across the country to the San Jose Sharks. Not only did they lose a fan favorite, but the move also means that the Hurricanes are officially in rebuild mode.
Fans In Carolina & San Jose React To Wallin Trade
And so it begins for Carolina.
Niclas Wallin is the first casualty and many fans are sad to see him go. The player, also known as the “Big Swede”, will be remembered for his fun-loving times at practice, his intensity during games, and the clutch, game-winning goals he scored in the playoffs.
Wallin was drafted by the Canes in the 2000 Entry Draft in the fourth round and has never played for another NHL franchise. He signed a four year contract with a no trade clause back in 2006 because reportedly, he loved the area very much and he did not want to move his family.
There were questions about his intentions at the end of this season, as word had it that he wanted to move back to Sweden and finish his career back home. That seemed to be the sticking point behind the negotiations of this trade as the Sharks wanted to extend Wallin’s contract longer than he wanted.
But all’s well that ends well for the Swede as he gets a good chance to go deep into the playoffs with this San Jose team. If this indeed is his final year in the NHL, it might be a great way to go.
While they’re reminiscing in Raleigh, 2,814 miles away in San Jose they’re looking ahead to what Wallin will add to a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations.
Wallin brings some value to the team— he saw a lot of defensive zone draws this year for Carolina and went up against some of the tougher competition on that blueline unit. Although Jay Leach has provided a lot of bang for the buck up to this point in the season, Wallin will be a relative upgrade for a team that has struggled defensively at times throughout the year.
That being said, this is a depth move. It is not a piece that will singlehandedly push the San Jose Sharks over the mountain of May that has plagued them for the last four playoff seasons, and for that reason, I am skeptical of the decision to give up a second round draft pick for his services.
Again, Wallin provides some value. He will be a good asset to the team in terms of depth, and I liken the deal to the one Detroit made in 2008 when they acquired Brad Stuart— it’s not a game changer, but it allows you some room to maneuver once the eventual bumps and bruises make their way around the locker room.
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