Rumor: Gardiner one the move once again?

In case you missed the news yesterday, the Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Andrei Svechnikov to a massive eight year contract worth $7.75 million per season.

With Svechnikov inked, 'Canes GM Don Waddell's offseason to-do list is nearly completed. And, let's be fair... it hasn't exactly been the best offseason for Waddell and the Hurricanes. They walked away from All-Star defenseman Dougie Hamilton, only to replace him with the ever-controversial Tony DeAngelo. Waddell also traded up and coming goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic after reportedly icing him in contract negotiations. Nedeljkovic signed a $3 million annual deal with the Detroit Red Wings after it was reported that the Hurricanes had offered him just $1.5 million. Instead, Waddell inked a pair of veteran goaltenders in Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta to a combined $6.5 million cap hit. Interesting decision there...

In any case, 'Canes insider Luke DeCock reports that the team is still looking to add a top-six winger, but that salary concerns could restrict them from making any meaningful additions. One thing that could help remedy that situation though is if Waddell can find a suitor for $4 million defenseman Jake Gardiner.

More from DeCock's latest collumn for the Charlotte News & Observer:

There would be more and better options if they could figure out a way to wriggle out from under Jake Gardiner’s contract, with two years left to go at $4 million per for a defenseman who, with the addition of veterans Ian Cole and Brendan Smith in free agency this summer, is entirely surplus to requirements.

It may be easier to solve cold fusion than shed that contract at a reasonable price, but stranger things have happened. In the interim, absent a sweetened deal or long-term injured reserve machinations, the Hurricanes will have to drag the remaining two years of the Gardiner contract around like luggage.

The 31 year old Gardiner put up just eight assists in 26 games with the Hurricanes last season and, frankly, he hasn't been the same player since he left the Toronto Maple Leafs following the 2018-19 NHL season. With the Leafs he was a perennial 30+ point player, putting up an 52 points in the 2017-18 season as his career high.

With Gardiner's production declining steeply and with the Hurricanes pinching every penny to remain competitive, you have to wonder if Gardiner could be had for cheap on the trade market? Anyone interested in a turnover machine who cashes a $4 million annual pay day? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?