RALEIGH, N.C. -- This was supposed to be the stretch where the Carolina Hurricanes inched back into the playoff picture, with a five-game homestand and several games in hand on all the teams they were chasing.
Instead, with three straight losses at PNC Arena heading into Friday night's game against Ottawa, the Hurricanes executed the first of what may be a series of moves leading up to the March 1 trade deadline, dealing defenseman Ron Hainsey to Pittsburgh for a minor leaguer and a second-round draft pick.
"It is a situation I've seen too many times here," said All-Star defenseman Justin Faulk, who was Hainsey's playing partner along the blue line.