The often overlooked part of the Carolina Hurricanes' blockbuster trade this past January that saw them acquire Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche for Martin Necas and Jack Drury was that the Canes also acquired forward Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Hurricanes met with Mikko Rantanen and presented a formal contract offer worth more than $100 million over eight years. But they want a decision before the trade deadline.

General manager Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been heavily involved in the trade market. There has been a boatload of players Treliving has drawn interest to throughout the season.

It took nine games, but Taylor Hall has finally notched his first goal as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Despite the stalling contract talks between the Carolina Hurricanes and Mikko Rantanen, there’s no guarantee that the Hurricanes will look to deal the Finnish winger before next week’s trade deadline.

The Sabres look to carry their home-ice momentum on the road. The Buffalo Sabres head to Raleigh's Lenovo Center for a Thursday night matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes. Buffalo, 6-1-0 in its last seven games and riding high after Tuesday’s third-period comeback against Anaheim, looks to keep it rolling against a slumping-of-late Hurricanes team.

As NHL teams enter the Four Nations break, the Hurricanes’ new shiny toy has not produced as well as the return to the Avalanche. When should fans be concerned?

Rantanen, who has back-to-back 100-point seasons and also played at that pace the two seasons prior, had just two points in six games with Carolina before the 4 Nations break, missing the last game due to injury. He had one assist on Saturday vs. Toronto.