The Carolina Hurricanes are exploring potential trade options for defenseman Jake Gardiner, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Hurricanes, who ranked 11th in the league with 3.19 goals per game in 2019-20, are looking to add a goal-scorer, Friedman adds.

Gardiner, 30, has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $4.05 million. He inked a four-year pact with Carolina last offseason.

The Hurricanes currently have six blue-liners, including Gardiner, under contract next season and will likely come to terms with restricted free-agent defenseman Haydn Fleury.

Gardiner recorded four goals and 24 points while averaging a career-low 16:40 of ice time through 68 games with the Hurricanes in 2019-20.

Carolina has roughly $5 million in projected cap space for next season, according to CapFriendly.