RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 12: Center Ron Francis #10 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game on November 12, 2002 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 3-2. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images/NHLI)
In 2004, the Carolina Hurricanes were not going to make the playoffs. They were a long way outside, and there was no hope of making the cut. Just two years after a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Canes were put in a tough situation. The face of the franchise, Ron Francis, was in the final year of his contract, and so the Carolina Hurricanes traded him at the 2004 NHL trade deadline.