Every general manager in the NHL will tell you the aim of every trade is to make the team better. Whether that's taking a big swing for a coveted player, or depth moves to fill holes in the lineup. When the Carolina Hurricanes traded for Jordan Martinook in early May 2018, I'm not sure they knew exactly how well this would bode for the organization.
Sitting at home for the 9th straight postseason, the Hurricanes went into business early in the offseason, striking a deal with the Arizona Coyotes. The deal involved a player and a pick going in each direction, with Martinook and a 4th-round selection to the Hurricanes, while Marcus Kruger and a 3rd-round pick went the other way.