NHL Rumors: $62M Hurricanes star unhappy with limited ice time, ‘open’ to being traded, per insider

Earlier this weekend, new reporting from Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines added fresh intrigue to the situation surrounding Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov, who is now quietly at the center of a notable mid-season rumor.

According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Svechnikov, who is signed on an eight-year, $62M contract (via Spotrac) was “unhappy” with his limited usage earlier this season and even signaled he would be open to a trade if Carolina chose to explore that path. The comments surfaced as the former No. 2 pick continues a mixed but improving 2025-26 campaign.

“He was unhappy. And he, I understand, and I also haven't spoken to him directly, but I understand that the inference was made to the Carolina Hurricanes that if they wanted to trade him, he wouldn't be upset about it, that he would be open to the idea.”

Friedman reported that the tension peaked during the Hurricanes’ sluggish opening stretch when Svechnikov went eight straight games without a point, dropped to the fourth line and logged a season-low just under 12 minutes of ice time.

That deployment, unusual for a player long considered a franchise pillar reportedly led the 22-year-old winger to hint that he would not object if the Hurricanes decided to move him.

The insider added that once word leaked, several teams immediately inquired but Carolina shut down the conversation unless presented with a “monster offer.”

“Now, I think this got out, and that's kind of how I heard about it today,” Friedman reported.

“I heard there were some teams that called the Hurricanes, and they were told, you know, we still consider this a cornerstone player, and this is not something we want to do, but if you're going to ask us, you're going to have to make a monster offer.”

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Things have reportedly ‘cooled down’ surrounding Andrei Svechnikov’s situation

Friedman later went on to explain that the situation seems to have eventually settled.

Svechnikov was moved back onto the Hurricanes’ first line alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, a premier spot any winger would welcome.

His ice time increased again and his production followed with 12 points over a 13-game stretch. With his usage restored and his confidence returning, Friedman noted that everything has calmed down for now.

“Now things have cooled down. He's back on the first line. And his minutes are back up. So everything has calmed down for now,” Friedman said.

Svechnikov’s current deal runs through 2028-29 and includes a modified no-trade clause beginning in 2025-26, which gives him a 10-team list. His salary peaks at $10 million next season, even though the cap hit stays fixed at $7.75M.