Logan Stankoven And The Harsh Realities Of An NHL Trade

It sometimes gets lost in all of the noise, how much a trade can impact a player.

On the outside, it looks simple.

A new player is added onto the roster, and all of a sudden, they're playing games in a new uniform.

But it's not quite that easy. Being traded also means uprooting a person from their home, friends and comfort zone.

That's the reality of an NHL trade.

"It's not been easy," Logan Stankoven told The Hockey News. "It really pushes you outside your comfort zone. At first, I was obviously really upset and sad because you're leaving your good buddies and what not, but I think everything does happen for a reason."

Like a lot of us, Stankoven didn't even know he was on the trade block until rumors started to populate on social media that the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars were working on a trade around Mikko Rantanen.

"I didn't officially know until right around the end of the trade deadline day," Stankoven said. "We had played Thursday night and right before I was about to go to bed, I heard some rumblings and a few people texted me saying my name was out there for a trade. I didn't really expect it or anything. You never know because it's speculation and everything is going around on Twitter, but once we got closer to the deadline, I had a feeling it was going to happen."

Immediately following the trade, Stankoven was in a bit of shock. 

"A lot of emotion," Stankoven said. "I think at first, you're a bit disappointed and upset when you're leaving a team and some of your close friends and teammates who you've gotten to know."

The 22-year-old forward didn't even really have the chance to say goodbye to his now former teammates, only having the opportunity to see the few that lived in the same apartment complex as him in Dallas.

For everyone else, he had to settle for a text message in the team group chat, thanking them and wishing everyone the best.

"It was pretty upsetting," Stankoven recalled.

The impact isn't just felt by the players either.

Stankoven was slated to have around 500 family, friends and supporters at Rogers Arena Sunday night, all traveling 200+ miles from his hometown of Kamloops to see him play.

But instead of suiting up in Vancouver as a member of the Dallas Stars, he was making his Carolina Hurricanes debut in Raleigh.

"It's really nice and I'm really fortunate to have that much support," Stankoven said about the hometown support. "I think it definitely helped, me being able to play in my hometown for junior hockey as well. A lot of people have had my back and have helped along the way. I'm just trying to do everything I can to carve out a good career in this league."

But as he said, Stankoven believes everything happens for a reason and he's excited for a new opportunity and adventure in Carolina.

"Really thankful that this team wants me and is excited to have me," Stankoven said.

He doesn't know much about Carolina as "big trees," was his response when asked what he knew of the area, but he does know that the fans in Raleigh are loud and passionate.

"I'm happy that I'm here now," Stankoven said. "Still trying to learn lots, be a sponge and take in any information that I can get here. It'd be great to be here for a long time and hopefully solidify myself as an impact player."

Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.