Hurricanes land Skjei from Rangers for 1st-round pick

The Carolina Hurricanes added another defenseman at the deadline Monday, acquiring Brady Skjei from the New York Rangers in exchange for a first-round pick, the team announced.

Carolina will have the option of deciding which of its first-round selections to give to the Rangers as part of the deal prior to the draft.

The deal came shortly after the Canes traded for fellow blue-liner Sami Vatanen. The Hurricanes also added forward Vincent Trocheck from the Florida Panthers on Monday.

Skjei has accumulated 23 points, 41 penalty minutes, and 91 blocked shots across 60 games this season.

The 25-year-old, along with Vatanen, are joining a Hurricanes defense corps that includes Jaccob Slavin, Jake Gardiner, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Haydn Fleury. Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce are both out with long-term injuries.

Carolina currently holds the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot but is tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets at 74 points apiece. The Rangers and Florida Panthers are also not far behind.