Workrate Hockey - January 21, 2026

Some quick trivia before you dig into today's newsletter - what solo hit from an Earth, Wind, & Fire vocalist ended up being the theme to an iconic 1985 wrestling show? You'll see in today's Song of the Day below.

Sunday we got word that defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who has been connected with the Canes for the last year or so, had been dealt from Calgary to the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, the rights to defenseman Abram Wiebe, and a first round and second round pick in the 2027 NHL draft. That seems like... a lot. As a Canes fan, I'd be quite content missing out on Andersson, who isn't hot garbage or anything, but considering what Calgary was asking for him (and received) and that he's an unrestricted free agent after this season who's going to be looking for more money than he's worth, again - I'm fine passing.

Which got me to thinking - every fansite and unhinged Reddit post is going to give you a list of the guys they think their favorite team should go after, usually with some kind of unhinged return going back, like a 4th line grinder and a 6th round pick for Connor McDavid or something like that. That's lame. That's telling you what you want to hear, and at the Workrate Hockey Newsletter, we don't believe in giving you what you want. Wait - that sounded bad. Anyway, instead, here are five players you may think you want on the Carolina Hurricanes, but trust me - you don't.