Tom Gulitti of NHL.com: The Carolina Hurricanes could use a top-six center and GM Ron Francis isn’t ruling out a trade before the start of the season, but is okay if they don’t make one.
“We’re still kicking tires and talking to teams on things,” Francis said. “But if there’s nothing we feel makes sense at this point we’re comfortable with what we’ve done and starting the season with what we have.”
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: (mailbag) The Boston Bruins and unrestricted free agent forward Drew Stafford have kept communication open.