The Triangle is rolling in money, the team is good, and a rudimentary search shows that "filling seats" is not a problem for a team that sells out every game.
Carolina already has superstar forwards, already fills seats to capacity, and has had routine playoff success. They need to figure out how to push past the wall they commonly encounter in the second or third rounds. Yet both Toronto players have consistently failed to thrive in the playoffs. How are they the solution to Carolina's issues? They'd be better off targeting a Bennett type to complement their mix.
Slavin's a top-tier No. 1 defenseman on an extremely team-friendly deal with lots of good term. Nikishin is a kid, eight years younger than Slavin. It will be years before he might become that caliber of player. Carolina's window is open right now. Rielly hardly makes up for the loss, and has his own travails to work through.
Carolina says no, and I doubt they need much time to consider it.
