The Carolina Hurricanes were at the center of the trade deadline for a lot of the wrong reasons. The drama surrounding Mikko Rantanen generated plenty of headlines, but the team is starting to peak in spite of that turbulence.

The NHL trade deadline is Friday afternoon, and scuttlebutt around the league has centered on Rantanen and whether the Canes will re-sign him, trade him, or keep him and try to agree on a new contract.

The Stars are swinging for the fences by acquiring and signing Mikko Rantanen while the Hurricanes appear content to hit singles.