As Ron Francis last month cataloged all the draft picks his team might have in June, his coach sat next to him, quietly (and good-naturedly) steaming. To Bill Peters, every draft pick used to draft a player will merely be one not used to make a trade to upgrade the NHL roster.
"I hope we maybe use three of them -- two?" Peters said. "You know which direction Ronnie and I will be talking about."
After three years of stockpiling prospects and dumping contracts under Francis, the Carolina Hurricanes have built a solid foundation for the future, but none of that will mean much if that eight-year playoff drought doesn't end, and after falling short again this season, there will be no excuse next season.