The Carolina Hurricanes were the talk of the trade deadline yesterday as they ended up moving out winger Mikko Rantanen — who they had on their roster for just six weeks after acquiring him in a blockbuster deal back in January — in a trade with the Dallas Stars.

The move came in response to Rantanen refusing to sign an extension with the Hurricanes, but in return from Dallas, the Canes got a good bit of draft capital, as well as 22-year-old forward Logan Stankoven, who the organization is very high on.

"He is a really aggressive player," said Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky. "When the puck's on his stick, he's very shifty with it, he's very aggressive and he's attacking on offense and when he's going and recovering loose pucks, he's always the first one in on it, he's always there pressuring and getting into people's bodies and making things difficult. He's not the tallest guy in the world, but he plays bigger than he looks and he plays hard and he competes hard and that's what we look for in a Hurricanes player. ... A player who is going to be a long-term fit for us, who plays like he was born to be a Carolina Hurricane."

"He caught our eye in the games we've played him," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I think it was the first game he played too. A young kid, but obviously the work ethic is there, speed, and I think just all out, just a good hockey player. We've got to get to know him and he's got to get to know us, but by all accounts, we're real excited."

Stankoven, much like the rest of us, first got the sense he was going to be traded when rumors started to surface Thursday night of Dallas' interest in Rantanen.

The 22-year-old said the past 24 hours have been an emotional time for him, but that he's excited "for the new opportunity and adventure" in Carolina.

"Really thankful that this team wants me and is excited to have me," Stankoven said. "Looking forward to getting things going tomorrow and hopefully leave a good first impression."

And the Hurricanes will be giving Stankoven a golden opportunity to leave a good impression, as his new linemates at his first practice on Saturday were Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.

That's right, Stankoven (22) will have the chance right off the hop play on the Canes' top line and first power play unit and his new teammates are excited for him.

"One practice, but you can see that he's a fast guy, you know?," Svechnikov said. "Got a quick release and in those moments, the pucks off right away."

"Very explosive," Aho said. "Good skater, good shot and he didn't butcher one single drill out there which is quite impressive for his first practice. I don't know if he tried to learn those drills last night or what, but that was impressive. He's a great player and excited that I'm on the same line as him and I'm excited to play a game with him."

"Being a Western Canadian, I kept up — not closely with the WHL — but when Stanky played in Kamloops, I watched a little of him play there," said Jordan Martinook. "He's dynamic and just seeing him on the ice, you can see that he skates well, is shifty and when he was in Dallas, he was the same way. So I'm excited to see what he brings. From what I've heard, he's hard on pucks and forechecks like a dog, so he'll fit in well here."

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