The 2013 NHL Draft has been called potentially the best draft class in a decade, a crop that boasts five or six players who could be a No. 1 overall pick in many other drafts. In landing Swedish forward Elias Lindholm— one of the handful of players that would warrant going first in other years — with the fifth overall pick, the Carolina Hurricanes added to an already impressive stable of young and in-their-prime players that should lead them back to the postseason and hopefully into Stanley Cup contention.

But for what seems like the umpteenth straight summer, the Canes have left media pundits, fans and on-lookers questioning whether their defense can provide the support needed to justify having so many offensive weapons. Jim Rutherford & Co. believe they have shored up the blue line with the addition of Buffalo rear guard Andrej Sekera, who was acquired for Jamie McBain and Carolina's second-round pick (35th overall) and will slide into the team's top four with emerging star Justin Faulk, talented-but-streaky Joni Pitkanen, and alternate captain Tim Gleason.

The consensus outside of the Hurricanes’ front office? Not big enough, not tough enough, not good enough.

Not enough.

Given the expectations — that Carolina would target a rugged, top-two or high-end top-four defenseman to round out their D (see the available Braydon Coburn) — the Hurricanes failed to address their needs on the back end. Whether or not Sekera is up to the task at hand is yet to be seen. He is capable of playing big minutes (outside of averaging 17:26 in 2009-10, he has played at least 19 minutes a night five of the past six seasons, including three years in which he hovered above or just under averaging 21 minutes), but has average size and has never been an elite penalty killer.

There's still time to add such a player, but Rutherford seemed content to get the man they were after in Sekera and round out the defense with potential offensive dynamo Ryan Murphy and oversized overacheiver Brett Bellemore. Both are unproven, but they have shown promise.

As you can see, there's lots to talk about regarding the defense. And given the team’s struggles to keep pucks out of their own net, it's a worthwhile discussion. But the Monday morning discussion shouldn't be about the annual defensive do-si-do for a couple reasons.

One, the team — unlike last year — did address the defense. It may not be with the kind of player the critics expected or for the price that was paid, but Rutherford targeted a player the brass liked and made sure he got him.

Secondly, Elias Lindholm is going to be one hell of a player.

Sunday's moves and Monday's discourse should belong to Lindholm, the type of all-around Swedish forward that has anchored several teams over the past decade or so. Will Lindholm be the next Forsberg or Alfredsson? Chances are he won't, but not many are.

But if you look back at the last decade and a half or so, you'll see that Swedish Elite League players who go in the top 10 often wind up as high-level NHLers. The Sedins, Niklas Backstrom, Victor Hedman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Adam Larsson, Mika Zibanejad and Jonas Brodin have all gone in the top-10 since 1999. Other than the Bruins' pick in 2000, Lars Jonsson, and perhaps current Oiler Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson — who, at 10th overall in 2009, has had expectations overwhelm his production more than anything — you're hard-pressed to find a Swede who went in the in the first 10 selections and turned out to be a disappointment.

That's because most Swedes, Lindholm included, play the kind of well-rounded, hard-working game that in conducive to success in the NHL. Lindholm maybe never score 30 goals, and 10 years down the road many may think Carolina — and a few other teams — missed the boat by not taking Valeri Nichushkin. But in taking Lindholm, the Hurricanes avoided the alleged "Russian risk factor" while still landing an incredibly talented player that should be in the top-six for years to come.

You can say Carolina won the Stanley Cup in 2006 because of the one-two punch of Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour, or the goaltending of Cam Ward, or even the mish-mash defense that was better than the sum of its parts. But don't underestimate the contributions of Matt Cullen— a third-line center who could score and be a factor in every zone — or Justin Williams— a player who works so hard every shift that opposing players grow tired of trying to outwork him.

Lindholm could very well be like taking Cullen and Williams and fusing them together: a second- or third-line center who will add the much-needed secondary scoring coach Kirk Muller has been searching for, but will also out-will opponents into agitation.

So no, the Canes didn't add the hulking defenseman everyone wanted or make the sexy pick at No. 5. But much like in 2007 when Carolina passed on higher-rated Alexei Cherepanov and Angelo Esposito to take steady-if-unspectacular Brandon Sutter, the Hurricanes identified a character player who wants nothing more than to compete and win, and they took him.

Sutter wound up being the best of those three players — although Cherepanov's tragic and sudden death in 2008 certainly played a role in that — and Carolina thinks they again got the best guy left on the board, someone who will exceed Sutter’s accomplishments and be a centerpiece of a winning team.

Whether or not the defense has been fixed is a question for October. Now is the time to elebrate and be excited about Elias Lindholm.

Six years ago, I was sitting at my desk doing traffic reports during the morning commute when a friend of mine popped over the cubicle wall with a proposition.

"Hey, Brian, you like the Hurricanes, right?" he asked me.

"Well, yeah," I said, a little caught off-guard, but never turning down an opportunity to talk hockey was one of my trademarks, so I went along with it.

"Want to cover the team?"

It took me all of about a tenth of a second to take him up on the offer. And with that, I took up residence on the fifth floor of PNC Arena, which would be my home for 41 nights a season for the next six years.

As of next season, that run comes to an end.

Circumstances have changed a bit over that time. I've left that job where I was back in 2007, and eventually made my way back to reporting traffic again as of a few weeks ago - at the same place, although with a promotion involved. I now have to be at work at 5 AM every morning, and for a severe non-morning person that is not an easy habit to get into. Getting home at 11:30 after a game, then waking up at 4:30...yeah, you can guess where this is going.

And while we're on the subject of severe sleep deprivation, this October my wife and I will welcome a baby girl into the world (holy cow, it feels surreal typing that). What little time I already have is going to be reduced even further when that rolls around.

So it's time to go back to armchair quarterbacking. But first, a few words of thanks.

The friend who thought enough to ask me to cover the Canes was Taylor Zarzour, who was the sports director at Curtis Media (my once and current employer) before moving to Charlotte at the beginning of 2011. Even though he's in Charlotte now, you can still hear him in Raleigh from 4-7 PM on 620 AM, or if you're in Charlotte he'll give you an extra hour, 3-7 on 610 AM. You won't regret it. I owe my break to Taylor, and he remains one of my best friends.

To the Canes' PR team, past and present, who had to put up with a guy literally learning on the job from square one. Mike Sundheim, Kyle Hanlin, Paul Branecky, Michael Smith and too many interns to mention made this job very enjoyable, and I'll miss working with them.

Chip Alexander isn't exactly a natural covering hockey, even though he's been reporting sports in this market since before I was born, so in a way we both learned the ropes together after he came on board in 2008. I've learned a ton working with Chip, and I will greatly miss him and his legendary IT troubles (if you're sitting in section 325, you know who to blame if a MacBook comes flying down from the press box).

For many years, Mike Maniscalco was the only person in the box who really knew what it was like to be up until 11:30 and back up and on the radio the next morning before sunrise. Before I joined Canes Country, Mike and I were pretty much the only regulars on the "quiet" side of the press box, above section 323, which is now pretty much solely the domain of Mike and whatever reporter is working the locker room on a given night. Mike works harder than just about anyone I've ever met in radio, and deserves better than the abuse he regularly tolerates on the Aftermath every night. (To say nothing of sitting below Dave Mishkin, the Lightning radio play-by-play guy, whose goal calls are legendarily eardrum-busting.)

Of course, this wouldn't be complete without a word of appreciation to everyone at Canes Country. When Taylor left to go to Charlotte, I pretty much became a free-agent writer; I knew I wanted to continue covering the team, and Bob Wage was kind enough to give me the opportunity to do so. He and I have had plenty of good times in the press box, and I know he'll keep up the great coverage that I was proud to be a part of for two-plus seasons.

And finally, to my wife, Laura: believe me, it is not easy to sit at home and do nothing while your spouse is covering hockey games 41 times a year. She let me do so for six seasons, and I can't thank her enough. I have no idea how beat writers who travel to cover the team do it, but I'm grateful to her for allowing me to do so as much as I could. The least I can do to repay her is to be around as much as possible to raise our daughter.

I'll still be around. I'll contribute columns here and there, I'll still chime in on open threads, and I'll still be active on Twitter (although I have a sneaking suspicion that will take a turn toward the cute-baby-photo genre in three months or so). Maybe later in the season, I'll pop back in to cover a game or two, depending on how the great parenting adventure is working out.

But until then, you're in great hands here at CC, and I want to thank all of you for making covering this team so much fun. I'm going to miss it, but I'm excited for what's to come.

Now watch the Canes go win the Stanley Cup next season. If so, you know who to thank.

On Sunday, the Sabres acquired a new defenseman, snagging Jamie McBain and a second round pick from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Andrej Sekera. Many Sabres fans aren't very familiar with Jamie McBain, so we reached out to our Hurricanes-lovin' friends at CanesCountry for some perspective on Buffalo's newest blueliner.The following comes from C-Leaguer over at CanesCountry.

Jamie McBain.Where to begin...How about this?

That’s McBain’s first goal.A booming point shot against Pittsburgh that crosses the goal line with 0.9 seconds left in overtime to give the Canes a thrilling 3-2 win.That goal came on March 20, 2010 as part of a 14 game trial McBain got with the big league club at the end of the season.In that brief period of time, McBain put up 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points while going +6 and playing over 25 minutes a game.At the time there was Calder Trophy talk and it looked like the Canes had themselves a good young puck moving defensemen that could play the point on the power play, and be serviceable if not above average in even strength and penalty kill situations.In the next two seasons McBain would play 76 games each year, putting up 30 and 27 points, with a good portion coming on the powerplay.His average TOI hovered just under 20 minutes a night, with lesser PK time (about 30 seconds per game).

This last season, unfortunately, has been a troubling one for McBain.His average time on ice fell to 18:25 a night, but that was not the worst of it.A few times this past season Jamie McBain found himself in the press box as a healthy extra.For, whatever reason, McBain and Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller never seemed to see eye-to-eye.Muller would prefer for the Canes to be a bigger team that is tougher to play against.McBain, while he is 6’ 2" tall, doesn’t play with all of that height, and would certainly never be considered a physical presence.Jim Rutherford noted yesterday in discussing the trade that McBain showed up to camp in less than stellar shape.This is no way to endear yourself to the relatively new coach Muller, especially when Muller was able to get team captain Eric Staal to buy in to the work ethic that he wanted.This isn’t to say that McBain is a problem in the locker room, more to say he’s still young and could use a bit of maturity.

All of this has put Jamie McBain at a cross-road in his career.McBain still has the ability to quarterback a powerplay and he has a strong accurate shot from the point.That said his play at even strength and on the penalty kill seemed to regress this year.His decision making left a lot to be desired and his lack of physicality saw him get bodied off the puck too frequently in tough areas of the ice thus limiting his ability to get the puck out of the zone.

The question for McBain at this point in his career is what does he want to be?Does he want to be the second pair guy with power play specialization and the ability to play on the penalty kill he appeared to be early in his career, or is he solely a power play specialist that a coach has to pick situations for him to play at even strength and on the penalty kill?Unfortunately, in Carolina with Muller as coach, McBain was likely not to get the opportunity to be the player he showed promise of being, although McBain did bring much of that on himself.With Buffalo it’s a new opportunity for a young player who probably needs a change of scenery and has a cap hit that is friendly enough to for a team to carry him and give him the opportunity to prove himself.

Personally, I believe that McBain still has the ability to turn in to more than just a power play specialist, however, that view is not widely held at CanesCountry.He has the tools.The question is if he can put it all together and get in a system that plays to his strengths.

Thanks to C-Leaguer over at CanesCountry for the perspective.

Another draft has come and gone and as always, fans of the Carolina Hurricanes debate over how well or how poorly the team did this time around.

There is little disagreement about the choice of Elias Lindholm, who seems to be a fine selection.

But after trading a current first round pick, former first round pick, and a former second round pick just the year before, the Hurricanes traded yet another second rounder this year in a deal for a top four defenseman. This, in a year which the team had been advertising the draft as being very "deep", with blue chip players available right through the second round.

The deal all by itself probably would not cause much heart burn, but after losing so many assets just the year before, the strategy of trading yet another valuable asset is questionable to some.

Carolina's prospects are already lowly rated by many publications as well as experts, and failed last season when called upon after the team was hurt badly by injuries. How does a franchise rebuild and strengthen their prospect system and depth? It would seem most likely through the draft.

Since 2001, the Canes have drafted fewer players than any team in the NHL. This past Sunday, they followed that up by drafting a league low four more players, (tied with St. Louis who also drafted four players).

Why just four players?

They had already traded the fourth round choice in the deal which sent Anthony Stewart to Los Angeles for Kevin Westgarth. The Kings also got next year's sixth round pick as well.

Let's take a closer look at that deal.

Stewart was at one time a highly regarded prospect himself and was the 25th overall pick in the famous 2003 draft. The Canes signed him to a two-year deal, but after year one, decided they needed to move him along reportedly because of poor conditioning.

Westgarth was never drafted and has scored three career NHL goals. The forward plays few minutes and sits most games. He is obviously not worth two draft picks, but since Stewart was over-paid, the Canes had to over-compensate the Kings to make that deal.

Enter 2013, as the Canes had to do the same in order to move along Jamie McBain.

The seventh round pick from this year was sent to Tampa Bay when Carolina acquired Marc-Andre Bergeron. Adam Hall was also included in the deal, someone the Canes picked up on the waiver wire.

So the team ended up trading away the second, fourth, and seventh round picks for this year's draft.

Some will argue that the team has a poor track record with draft picks and they are not able to develop players properly anyway. Still, drafting is a numbers game and the more players you draft, the better your odds are of getting lucky and finding someone who can crack the roster.

Too often, the team seems to have thrown draft picks into deals, to make up for bad contracts or to save money.

Most fans feel that the trading of Jamie McBain is addition by subtraction. But the Hurricanes could have bought out McBain's contract and then possibly made that deal with Buffalo, while receiving Buffalo's third round pick, or even a later one. The Sabres drafted 11 players, they had plenty to deal.

McBain's contract was too high for his value, which brought negative equity into the trade, the same as Stewart's last year.

The Hurricanes have a promising roster with a lot of fire power, but what if there are injuries again this coming season? Will the blueline be injury free? And what about the goalie situation?

The best goalie prospects were all taken in the second round on Sunday.

The team has not made the playoffs in four seasons, perhaps a different strategy regarding the utilization of draft picks is in order?

In response to the trade that sent Jamie McBain and the #35 pick in Sunday's draft to Buffalo for Andrej Sekera Andy Boron from Die by the Blade suggested that we each provide the other teams fans a little perspective on the players at the center of the deal. Below is Andy's brief write up on Andrej Sekera and what he may bring to the Canes. My brief analysis of Jamie McBain will appear on Die by the Blade later.

Andrej Sekera is the type of defenseman that casual fans don’t really like. It’s not because he’s a bad player (quite the opposite, in fact) but it’s because he doesn’t really have an obvious, standout talent. He has decent size but not great, he’s got a good shot but it’s no howitzer, he skates well but doesn’t have wheel of steel, and he blocks some shots but doesn’t hit very much and won’t fight.

The thing is, he has no obvious A+ skills, but everything he does is a solid B. He plays a very solid, reliable two-way game, and can pitch in on the PK very well, and the power play in an emergency. He’s got an all-around game that works very well in both ends of the ice.

Now, I said he has no obvious A+ skills, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t perform at an elite level in certain areas. Sekera has elite agility for a defenseman, turning his hips and changing direction quicker than most other blueliners. It helps him battle in the corners and avoid forecheckers, and helps him lug the puck out of his own zone.

Speaking of which, Sekera’s other elite skill is that he almost always makes the smart, quick decision in getting the puck out of the defensive zone, whether it’s an accurate pass, carrying it out himself, or simply dumping it out along the boards. Unfortunately, these aren’t immediately obvious skills, so some fans in Buffalo never warmed to Sekera despite his solid, all-around B-level talent.

He should fit in nicely in the Hurricane’s top 4 rotation, and can eat 20-22 minutes a night if need be. If you can appreciate the things he does well, then you’ll love "The Silent J" in Carolina. If you want to see someone lay down big hits, huge slappers, and drop the gloves, you’ll be disappointed. Still, I’m sad to see him go, and hope you guys enjoy him as much as we did.

I would also be remiss if I didn't post a link to a comprehensive statistical analysis of Sekera's play from Hockey Future's board. This is the article that Jamie originally tweeted out yesterday. Many of you may have read this by now, but for those that have not it is worth a read. The picture that it paints of Sekera is quite impressive.

The Nashville Predators have inked four former collegians this weekend. General Manager Dave Poile, a Northeastern alum, added Vermont alum Viktor Stalberg, St. Cloud alums Matt Cullen and Matt Hendricks and Michigan alum Eric Nystrom. Stalberg, a leftwing who was part of the Stanley Cup champion winning Chicago Blackhawks signed for $12M over four years. The Predators also inked former UMass-Lowell goaltender Carter Hutton to a two-way deal.

Former Michigan defenseman Mike Komisarek has signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. The former Toronto Maple Leafs blue liner reportedly signed a one-year contract worth $700,000.

Former Wisconsin rightwing Jack Skille has signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, leaving the Florida Panthers behind.

The Dallas Stars have inked former Carolina Hurricanes and Nebraska-Omaha goaltender Dan Ellis to a two-year contract worth $1.8M.

Former Miami Redhawks leftwing Ryan Jones has re-signed with the Edmonto Oilers.

Minnesota Golden Gophers alum Keith Ballard signed with the Minnesota Wild after being bought out by the Vancouver Canucks. The defenseman will reportedly make $3M over two years.

Princeton alum and NHL tough guy George Parros was signed by the Montreal Canadiens. The former Tigers rightwing was signed by Montreal after having played for the Florida Panthers this season. He won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim earlier in his career.

Former Harvard center Dominic Moore has moved from the San Jose Sharks to the New York Rangers.

The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed former Michigan State rightwing Adam Hall to a one-year contract worth $600,000.

Former NCAA Champion Rob Scuderi has left the Los Angeles Kings to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The former BC Eagles defender signed a four-year contract worth $13.5M.

The Penguins also re-signed former Harvard rightwing Craig Adams to a two-year contract worth $1.4M.

Former Norwich University star Keith Aucoin left the New York Islanders to sign with the St. Louis Blues.

The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed former Denver Pioneers center Tyler Bozak to a five-year contract worth $21M. The deal is by far the most lucrative signed by an NCAA alum this offseason.

Former Northern Michigan center Mike Santorelli is going back home. The Vancouver, BC native signed with the hometown Canucks after playing with the Winnipeg Jets this past season.

Speaking of the Jets, Winnipeg signed former Michigan Wolverines goaltender Al Montoya to a one-year contract worth $601,000.

The Boston Bruins signed a couple of college hockey alums who split time this past season between the Phoenix Coyotes and their AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine. Former Dartmouth rightwing Nick Johnson and former Alaska-Fairbanks goaltender Chad Johnson both went from the Coyotes organization to the Bruins.

NHL veteran and former Hobey Baker Award winner Mike Mottau has signed a two-year deal with the Florida Panthers. The Boston College grad spent time between the San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League this season.

Two recent college grads were involved in a trade Saturday. The Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks exchanged a couple of former NCAA defensemen. Kyle Bigos (Merrimack) was shipped to San Jose in exchange for Lee Moffie (Michigan).

Information in this report came from NHL teams' releases and the USA Today Free Agency Tracker.

Jeff Cox covers hockey for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.

The Florida Panthers continued to add veteran depth with an eye towards San Antonio on Monday, signing center Jon Matsumoto and defender Matt Gilroy (pictured above) to one year, two-way deals.

Jon Matsumoto

#0 / Center / Florida Panthers

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185

Born: Oct 13, 1986

Matsumoto, who has registered 314 points in the AHL to go along with 14 games of NHL experience, becomes a member of the Panthers organization for the second time. He played in one game for the Cats in 2012 while spending 35 games with the Rampage after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes (with Mattias Lindstrom) in exchange for A.J. Jenks and Evgeni Dadonov.

Matt Gilroy

#97 / Defenseman / Florida Panthers

Height: 6-1

Weight: 201

Born: Jul 20, 1984

Also signed to a one year, two-way deal was veteran defenseman Matt Gilroy. Gilroy, who has totaled 209 career NHL games, split time between the New York Rangers and the Connecticut Whale of the AHL last season. The Hobey Baker winner began his NHL career in 2009-10 after four seasons at Boston College.

Boston Bruins

Ryan Fitzgerald, F, Boston College

Garnet Hathaway, F, Brown

Matt Lindblad, F, Dartmouth

Casey Bailey, F, Penn State

Colton Hargrove, F, Western Michigan

Brian Ferlin, F, Cornell

Chris Casto, D, Minnesota-Duluth

Matthew Grzelcyk, D, Boston University

Matt Benning, D, Northeastern

Robbie O'Gara, D, Yale

Wiley Sherman, D, Harvard

Derek Docken, D, Alaska-Anchorage

Zane Gothberg, G, North Dakota

Philadelphia Flyers

Kyle Flanagan, F, St. Lawrence

Mark Alt, D, Minnesota

Shayne Gotisbehere, D, Union

Nick Luukko, D, Vermont

Eamonn McDermott, D, Colorado College

Terrance Amorosa, D, Holderness Prep (Uncommitted)

Carsen Chubak, G, Niagara

Reece Willcox, D, Cornell

Cal Heeter, G, Ohio State

Merrick Madsen, G, Harvard

Ryan McKay, G, Miami

Matt Skoff, G, Penn State

Toronto Maple Leafs

Tony Cameranesi, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Teddy Doherty, D, Boston College

Kevin Goumas, F, New Hampshire

Eric Knodel, D, New Hampshire

Dennis Robertson, D, Brown

Dominic Toninato, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Montreal Canadiens

Mac Bennett, D, Michigan

Michael Cichy, F, Western Michigan

Michael Condon, G, Princeton

Matt Grassi, D, Michigan State

Mark MacMillan, F, North Dakota

Frank Simonelli, D, Wisconsin

Brady Shaw, F, Vermont

Josiah Didier, D, Denver

Michael McCarron, F, Western Michigan

Greg Pateryn, D, Michigan

Colin Sullivan, D, Boston College

Steve Quailer, F, Northeastern

Dustin Walsh, F, Dartmouth

Tampa Bay Lightning

Colin Campbell, F, Lake Superior

Brian Hart, F, Harvard

Cody Kuynk, F, Alaska-Fairbanks

James Mullin, F, Miami

Carl Nielsen, F, Michigan Tech

Brendan O'Donnell, F, North Dakota

Matthew Peca, F, Quinnipiac

Drew Olson, D, Minnesota-Duluth

Adam Wilcox, G, Minnesota

Florida Panthers

Nick Bjugstad, F, Minnesota

Michael Downing, F, Michigan

Connor Brickley, F, Vermont

Rocco Grimaldi, F, North Dakota

Matt Buckles, F, Cornell

Wade Megan, F, Boston University

Tony Turgeon, F, Nebraska-Omaha

Joe Basaraba, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Corey Trivino, F, Boston University

Drew Shore, F, Denver

Zach Hyman, F, Michigan

Dan Kolenda, F, Niagara

Michael Matheson, D, Boston College

Ian McCoshen, D, Boston College

George Hughes, D, St. Lawrence

Ben Gallacher, D, UMass (Ohio State transfer)

Eddie Witchow, D, Wisconsin

R.J. Boyd, D, Michigan State

Sam Brittain, G, Denver

Evan Cowley, G, Denver

Winnipeg Jets

Andrew Copp, F, Michigan

Mike Zalewski, F, Rensselaer

Mark Cooper, F, Bowling Green

Tanner Lane, F, Nebraska-Omaha

Matt Bailey, F, Alaska-Anchorage

Austin Czarnik, F, Miami

Luke Eibler, D, Northern Michigan (Northeastern transfer)

Michael Young, D, Nebraska-Omaha

David Johnstone, F, Michigan Tech

Tucker Poolman, D, North Dakota

Brenan Serville, D, Michigan

Zach Loesch, D, Lake Superior

Matt White, F, Nebraska-Omaha

Peter Stoykewych, D, Colorado College

Dylan Margonari, F, Minnesota State-Mankato

Kevin Czuczman, D, Lake Superior

Jacob Trouba, D, Michigan

Connor Hellebuyck, G, UMass-Lowell

Charlie Lindgren, G, St. Cloud

Josh Pitt, F, Western Michigan

Tyler Sikura, F, Dartmouth

Jason Kasdorf, G, Rensselaer

Jamie Phillips, G, Michigan Tech

Juho Olkinuora, G, Denver

Ottawa Senators

Branden Komm, G, Bentley

Andrew Hammond, G, Bowling Green

Tim Boyle, D, Union

Mike Sdao, D, Princeton

Justin DaSilva, D, Ohio State

Jack Berger, F, Princeton

Jeff Costello, F, Notre Dame

Chris Wideman, D, Miami

Ryan Dzingel, F, Ohio State

Max McCormick, F, Ohio State

Buddy Robinson, F, Lake Superior

Quentin Shore, F, Denver

Chris Leblanc, F, Merrimack

Robbie Baillargeon, F, Boston University

Cole Schneider, F, UConn

Derek Grant, F, Michigan State

Edmonton Oilers

Joey LaLeggia, D, Denver

Dillon Simpson, D, North Dakota

Ben Lindemulder, D, Univ. of Alberta (Transferred from NMU)

Aidan Muir, F, Western Michigan

Evan Campbell, F, UMass-Lowell

John McCarron, F, Cornell

Jujhar Khaira, F, Michigan Tech

Jake Baker, D, Northern Michigan

Andrew Miller, F, Yale

Connor Jones, F, Quinnipiac

Lee Moffie, D, Michigan

Bryce Van Brabant, F, Quinnipiac

Kenny Morrison, D, Western Michigan

Kellen Jones, F, Quinnipiac

Chicago Blackhawks

Cohen Adair, F, Northern Michigan

Chris Calnan, F, Boston College

Grayson Downing, F, New Hampshire

Quinn Gould, F, Merrimack

John Hayden, F, Yale

Matt Lorito, F, Brown

Kevin Hayes, F, Boston College

Chris McCarthy, F, Vermont

Tim O'Brien, F, Dartmouth

Milos Bubela, F, Rensselaer

Pat Mullane, F, Boston College

Garrett Thompson, F, Ferris State

Tyler Motte, F, Michigan

Anthony Louis, F, Miami

Vincent Hinostroza, F, Notre Dame

Jake Chelios, D, Michigan State

Luke Curadi, D, Rensselaer

Kirill Gotovets, D, Cornell

Justin Holl, D, Minnesota

Luke Curadi, D, Rensselaer

Sam Jardine, D, Ohio State

Stephen Johns, D, Notre Dame

Guy Leboeuf, D, Rensselaer

Zach Loesch, D, Lake Superior

Nick Mattson, D, North Dakota

Michael Paliotta, D, Vermont

Dan Weissenhofer, D, Air Force

Nolan Zajac, D, Denver

Matt O'Connor, G, Boston University

Matt Tomkins, G, Ohio State

Garrett Thompson, F, Ferris State

Detroit Red Wings

Luke Glendening, F, Michigan

David Pope, F, Nebraska-Omaha

Michael Babcock, F, Merrimack

Dean Chelios, F, Michigan State

Ty Loney, F, Denver

Dominik Shine, F, Northern Michigan

Nick Jensen, D, St. Cloud

Dane Walters, F, Western Michigan

Trevor Hamilton, D, Miami

James De Haas, D, Clarkson

Columbus Blue Jackets

Seth Ambroz, F, Minnesota

Sean Collins, F, Ohio State

TJ Tynan, F, UMass-Amherst

Trent Vogelhuber, F, Miami

Jeremy Langlois, F, Quinnipiac

Thomas Larkin, D, Colgate

Jake Hansen, F, Minnesota

Mike Reilly, D, Minnesota

Will Weber, D, Miami

Martin Ouellette, G, Maine

Peter Quenneville, F, Quinnipiac

Washington Capitals

Riley Barber, F, Miami

Travis Boyd, F, Minnesota

Garrett Haar, D, Western Michigan

Blake Heinrich, D, Minnesota-Duluth

Caleb Herbert, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Patrick Koudys, D, Penn State (transferred from RPI)

Brian Pinho, F, Providence

Zach Sanford, F, Boston College

Nate Schmidt, D, Minnesota

Patrick Wey, D, Boston College

Sam Anas, F, Quinnipiac

Clarke Saunders, G, North Dakota

Pittsburgh Penguins

Brian Dumoulin, D, Boston College

Eric Hartzell, G, Quinnipiac

Scott Wilson, F, UMass-Lowell

Blaine Byron, F, Maine

Nashville Predators

Chase Balisy, F, Western Michigan

Zach Budish, F, Minnesota

Sebastian Geoffrion, F, Alabama-Huntsville

Joe Pendenza, F, UMass-Lowell

Ludwig Karlsson, F, Northeastern

Wade Murphy, F, North Dakota

Jimmy Vesey, F, Harvard

Anthony Bitetto, D, Northeastern

Garrett Noonan, D, Boston University

Teemu Kivihalme, D, Colorado College

Zach Stepan, F, Minnesota State-Mankato

Minnesota Wild

Adam Brace, F, Robert Morris

Mike Collins, F, Merrimack

Adam Gilmour, F, Boston College

Erik Haula, F, Minnesota

Avery Peterson, F, Grand Rapids (Minn.) HS (Uncommitted)

Mike Boivin, D, Colorado College

Gustav Olofsson, D, Colorado College

Nick Seeler, D, Nebraska-Omaha

John Draeger, D, Michigan State

Matt Nelson, D, Princeton

Nolan De Jong, D, Michigan

Carson Soucy, D, Minnesota-Duluth

Tony Capobianco, G, Canisius

Steve Michalek, G, Harvard

Los Angeles Kings

Johnny Brodzinski, F, St. Cloud

Nic Dowd, F, St. Cloud

Nick Shore, F, Denver

Brian O'Neill, F, Yale

Michael Mersch, F, Wisconsin

Joel Lowry, F, Cornell

Derek Forbort, D, North Dakota

Paul LaDue, D, North Dakota

Kevin Gravel, D, St. Cloud

San Jose Sharks

Mark Cooper, F, Bowling Green

Chris Crane, F, Ohio State

Cody Ferriero, F, Northeastern

Max Gaede, F, Minnesota State-Mankato

Brent Harris, F, Connecticut

Eriah Hayes, F, Minnesota State-Mankato

Sean Kuraly, F, Ohio State

Rylan Schwartz, F, Colorado College

Tommy O'Regan, F, Harvard

Danny O'Regan, F, Boston University

Travis Oleksuk, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Matt Nieto, F, Boston University

Brodie Reid, F, Northeastern

Reed Seckel, F, Northern Michigan

Sebastian Stalberg, F, Vermont

Brian Ward, F, Dartmouth/St. Lawrence

Jake Jackson, F, Michigan Tech

Kyle Bigos, D, Merrimack

Isaac MacLeod, D, Boston College

Cliff Watson, D, Sioux City Musketeers (de-committed from Ohio State)

Matt Tennyson, D, Western Michigan

Joakim Ryan, D, Cornell

Zach Palmquist, D, Minnesota State-Mankato

Gage Ausmus, D, North Dakota (de-committed from Denver)

Troy Grosenick, G, Union

Steve Racine, G, Michigan

Phoenix Coyotes

Connor Clifton, D, Quinnipiac

Jedd Soleway, F, Wisconsin

Rhett Holland, D, Michigan State

Zach Larraza, F, Denver

Hunter Fejes, F, Colorado College

Dallas Stars

Thomas Aldworth, F, Providence

Curtis McKenzie, F, Miami

Jacob Fallon, F, Vermont

Devin Shore, F, Maine

Will White, F, Northwood Prep (uncommitted)

Greg Johnson, D, Williams College

Dmitry Sinitsyn, D, UMass-Lowell

JB Baum, D, Dallas Stars U16 (uncommitted)

John Keeney, G, Alaska-Fairbanks

Cab Morris, G, Dartmouth

Buffalo Sabres

Tyler Gjurich, F, Maine

Brad Navin, F, Wisconsin

J.T. Compher, F, Michigan

Sean Malone, F, Havard

Anthony Florentino, D, Providence

Alex Iafallo, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Calvin Petersen, G, Notre Dame

Connor Hurley, F, Notre Dame

Christian Isaackson, F, Minnesota

Judd Peterson, F, St. Cloud

Tim Schaller, F, Providence

Andrew Black, F, Colgate

Connor Knapp, G, Miami

Kevin Czuczman, D, Lake Superior

Chad Ruhwedel, D, UMass-Lowell

Jake McCabe, D, Wisconsin

Calgary Flames

Corban Knight, F, North Dakota

Ben Hanowski, F, St. Cloud

Johnny Gaudreau, F, Boston College

Matt DeBlouw, F, Michigan State

Drew McKenzie, D, Vermont

Dan O'Donoghue, D, Mercyhurst

Noel Acciari, F, Providence

David Eddy, F, St. Cloud

Brody Hoffman, G, Vermont

Curtis Leonard, D, Rensselaer

Kenny Agostino, F, Yale

Bill Arnold, F, Boston College

Josh Jooris, F, Union

Mark Jankowski, F, Providence

Jon Gillies, G, Providence

John Gilmour, D, Providence

Bryce Van Brabant, F, Quinnipiac

John Ramage, D, Wisconsin

Tim Harrison, D, Colgate

New York Islanders

Anders Lee, F, Notre Dame

Brock Nelson, F, North Dakota

Scott Mayfield, D, Denver

Eamon McAdam, G, Penn State

Stephon Williams, G, Minnesota State-Mankato

Taylor Cammarata, F, Minnesota

Trevor Moore, F, Denver

Evan Rodrigues, F, Boston University

Doyle Somerby, D, Boston University

Cason Hohmann, F, Boston University

Ben Rosen, F, Boston University

Colton Beck, F, Alaska-Fairbanks

Jason Clark, F, Wisconsin

Branden Gracel, F, UMass-Amherst

Joe Diamond, F, Maine

Greg Miller, F, Cornell

Nick Sorkin, F, New Hampshire

Matt Tabrum, F, Denver

Riley Wetmore, F, UMass-Lowell

Mike Daluisen, D, Quinnipiac

Mike Keenan, D, Dartmouth

Bennett Schneider, D, Hamilton College

Bradley Nunn, D, SUNY-Fredonia

James Mazza, D, Youngstown Phantoms (Uncommitted)

Ken Reiter, G, Minnesota-Duluth

Josh Holmstrom, F, UMass-Lowell

Joel Rumpel, G, Wisconsin

New York Rangers

Brady Skjei, D, Minnesota

Patrick Brown, F, Boston College

Kyle Jean, F, Lake Superior

Teddy Doherty, D, Boston College

Eric Robinson, F, Dartmouth

Conor Allen, D, UMass-Amherst

Adam Schmidt, F, Holy Cross

Ryan Faragher, G, St. Cloud

Eric Levine, G, Robert Morris

Jeff Malcolm, G, Yale

Adam Tambellini, F, North Dakota

Carter Rowney, F, North Dakota

Matt Neal, F, Rensselaer

Steven Fogarty, F, Notre Dame

Anaheim Ducks

Kyle Novak, F, Western Michigan

Grant Besse, F, Wisconsin

Kevin Lind, D, Notre Dame

Nic Kerdiles, F, Wisconsin

Kevin Roy, F, Northeastern

Steve Whitney, F, Boston College

Keaton Thompson, D, North Dakota

Antoine Laganiere, F, Yale

Chris Wagner, F, Colgate

Jaycob Megna, D, Nebraska-Omaha

Josh Manson, D, Northeastern

Brian Cooper, D, Nebraska-Omaha

Vancouver Canucks

Joe Cannata, G, Merrimack

Sam Marotta, G, Merrimack

Ben Hutton, D, Maine

Wesley Myron, F, Boston University

Joseph Labate, F, Wisconsin

Cory Kane, F, Ferris State

Andrew Gladiuk, F, Bentley

Mike Borkowski, F, Colgate

Matthew Beattie, F, Yale

Paul Geiger, D, Clarkson

Kevin Lough, D, Colgate

Michael Quinn, D, Alaska-Fairbanks

Mike Williamson, D, Penn State

New Jersey Devils

Zach Tolkinen, D, Quinnipiac

Oleg Yevenko,D, UMass-Amherst

Carolina Hurricanes

Brendan Collier, F, Boston University

Brett Pesce, D, New Hampshire

Phil DiGiuseppe, F, Michigan

Jeff Cox covers hockey for SBNation. Follow Jeff on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday that restricted free agent center Riley Nash re-signed with the team on a two-year, two-way deal. Nash can earn $550,000 and $600,000 in each year, respectively, if he sticks with the NHL squad, and is guaranteed $150,000 each year as part of the deal.

Nash carved out a spot in the Carolina last year by providing solid, two-way play in the team’s bottom two lines. He will compete for a similar spot in 2013-14. Here is the release from the Hurricanes.

HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH RILEY NASH
Center set NHL career highs in 2012-13; Agrees to two-year, two-way contract

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Riley Nash on a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Nash $550,000 on the NHL level or $135,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level, with a guarantee of $150,000 in 2013-14. It will pay him $600,000 on the NHL level and $150,000 on the AHL level, with a guarantee of at least $200,000 in 2014-15.

Nash, 24, completed his third full professional season and second in the NHL in 2012-13, establishing NHL career highs in games played (32), goals (4), assists (5) and points (9), while averaging 12:48 of ice time per game. The Consort, Alb., native netted his first career NHL goal and added a pair of assists for his first NHL multi-point game against Florida on March 2, and had his first NHL multi-goal game at Washington on March 12. Nash (6’1", 191 lbs.) also played 51 games on the AHL level with the Charlotte Checkers, totaling 13 goals and 24 assists (37 points) and ranking second on the team in plus/minus (+14) and fourth in assists (24). His 24 assists and 37 points marked AHL career-highs, despite playing in an AHL-career-low 51 games.

Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (21st overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Nash was acquired by the Hurricanes on June 26, 2010, in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. He has totaled 10 points (4g, 6a) in 37 career NHL games with Carolina. Nash has notched 89 points (35g, 54a) in 188 career AHL games with the Checkers.

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford was on 999 The Fan this afternoon and was asked about the potential signing of the "top" free agent he teased local media about last week. Rutherford said that he was still trying to bring that free agent into the fold and the player was still willing to take a one-year deal because he liked the team and wanted to play here.

"We have to move someone out in order to bring in this player," Rutherford told Adam Gold and Joe Ovies. "The player is waiting patiently as we try to get this done."

So, who is the player Carolina is interested in, and who might be on their way out?

Rutherford would not name names, but there has been much talk about the franchise being interested in Jaromir Jagr. Unsubstantiated rumors have sprung up from many sources and Puck Daddy had an article today stating that a Czech publication identified Carolina as one of four teams interested.

There has been some talk about Jagr fitting in with Montreal because of Tomas Plekanec, who was a linemate in the KHL, but remember that Jiri Tlusty was also a part of that unstoppable line. Would Jagr want to team up again with Tlusty?

Jagr still has some gas in the tank and chipped in with 10 assists in 22 playoff games for the Bruins. The winger also had 2G and 7A in 11 regular season games for Boston. Before that, he scored 14G and 12A in 34 games for the Dallas Stars.

There are other forwards available who could be considered "top" end talent, but are they at the stage in their careers when they would accept a one-year deal?

Former Stars captain Brenden Morrow might and he is still out there, as well as Daniel Cleary. Teemu Selanne is another possibility but it is assumed he would re-up with the Ducks if he returns. Other higher end free agents, like Dustin Penner, Mikhail Grabovski, and Mason Raymond would probably want a longer term than one year in a new contract.

The next question is, who is the player that the Canes are trying to move out? They have already said that they will not have any buyouts, so they must be trying to make a trade in order to create cap space.

If you look at the roster, it is not easy to guess who this might be. Would they try to move out a younger asset in order to make room for a one-year deal for an older player?

You can listen to the interview here.

The Carolina Hurricanes released their roster for Development Camp and it will be the team's biggest ever. Several returnees and even some pros will join this year's draft picks at the PNC Arena next week.

Ryan Murphy, Elias Lindholm, and Victor Rask will headline the group. Rasmus Rissanen from the 2009 draft class will attend, as will Danny Biega, Justin Shugg, and Austin Levi from the 2010 Draft.

A few invitees will be there, including free agent Beau Schmitz and undrafted Russian Sergey Tolchinsky. Schmitz split time between the Everblades and Checkers last year. Tolchinsky played for Sault St. Marie and had 26 goals and 51 points in 62 games.

Camp opens next week on Tuesday, (July 16th) and Canes Country will be there. We will have more on this later.

Here are links to the camp's roster as well as to the team's press release.

Development Camp Release

Camp Roster

The Carolina Hurricanes unveiled its 2013 preseason schedule Thursday, a six-game slate that includes home-and-home games with Buffalo and Columbus, plus two games vs. the Canadiens — one in Montreal, the other in Quebec City.

The preseason kicks off at PNC Arena Sept. 18, when Carolina will host the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. The Hurricanes will three of the next four on the road before finishing out their exhibition campaign at home against the Sabres at 7 p.m.

The team also announced the signing of 28-year-old defenseman Mark Flood— a veteran with 39 career NHL games played who played in the KHL last season and will be in second tour of duty with the organization — and fellow blueliner Matthew Corrente, a former first-round pick of New Jersey who spent the last two seasons in the AHL with Albany after spending parts of two years with the Devils.

The two releases from the team follow.

HURRICANES ANNOUNCE 2013 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Carolina to host Columbus and Buffalo at PNC Arena; Individual-game tickets on sale Sept. 6

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced the team’s 2013 exhibition schedule. Individual-game tickets for both of the team’s preseason games, and all 41 regular-season games at PNC Arena will go on sale on Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.

The Hurricanes will open their six-game preseason schedule at PNC Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 18, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That game will be the first of four games in four nights for Carolina, as the team will play at Buffalo on Sept. 19 before opening a two-game set against the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 20, in Quebec City. The game against the Canadiens at the Pepsi Colisse in Quebec City will be a home game for Carolina, and the teams will round out the two-game set on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Bell Centre. The Hurricanes will wrap up their exhibition schedule with a back-to-back set, at Columbus on Sept. 26, and against Buffalo at PNC Arena on Sept. 27.

Carolina Hurricanes 2013 Exhibition Schedule

Day Date Opponent Time* Venue

Wed. Sept. 18 Columbus 7 p.m. PNC Arena

Thu. Sept. 19 at Buffalo 7 p.m. First Niagara Center

Fri. Sept. 20 Montreal 7:30 p.m. Pepsi Colisse (Quebec City)

Sat. Sept. 21 at Montreal 7 p.m. Bell Centre

Thu. Sept. 26 at Columbus 7 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Fri. Sept. 27 Buffalo 7 p.m. PNC Arena

* ALL TIMES EASTERN

‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH FLOOD AND CORRENTE
Experienced defensemen add depth to organization

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defensemen Mark Flood and Matt Corrente (kohr-REHN-tay) on one-year, two-way contracts. Flood’s deal will pay him $550,000 on the NHL level or $175,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level, with a guarantee of at least $225,000. Corrente’s deal will pay him $550,000 on the NHL level or $90,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level, with a guarantee of at least $105,000.

"Mark is a veteran defenseman with some NHL experience, who we are familiar with from being a part of our organization in the past," said Karmanos. "Matt is a physical and versatile player capable of contributing at defense or forward. He has had some injuries the past few seasons but is 100 percent healthy now."

Flood, 28, played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in 2012-13, earning six points (1g, 5a) and 25 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games. The Charlottetown, P.E.I., native established NHL career highs in games played (33), goals (3), assists (4) and points (7) with the Winnipeg Jets in 2011-12. Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round (188th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Flood (6’1", 190 lbs.) has earned eight points (3g, 5a) in 39 career NHL games with the New York Islanders and Winnipeg. He spent three seasons as a part of the Hurricanes organization from 2006-09, playing for the Albany River Rats, and was a teammate of Hurricanes captain Eric Staal during his junior career with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Corrente, 25, appeared in 11 games with Albany (AHL) last season, earning two assists and totaling 32 penalty minutes, but missed the majority of the season due to a shoulder injury. The Mississauga, Ont., native was a first-round selection (30th overall) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, and has played 34 career NHL games with New Jersey, totaling six assists and 68 penalty minutes. Corrente (6’0", 205 lbs.) has totaled 13 goals and 36 assists (49 points) and 350 penalty minutes in 163 career AHL games with Lowell and Albany.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Jaromir Jagr’s agent, Petr Svoboda, Canes Country confirmed today that the Hurricanes are on the short list of teams Jagr is interested in playing for next season.

"What I can tell you is this: Carolina was on his list," Svoboda said. "What the reason is, he knows better than me. He’s not 20. He knows where he wants to go and why."

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford has mentioned that there is mutual interest between the Hurricanes and an "elite" free agent over the past couple of weeks.

"There is one guy that has said he will take less, and a one year contract, to come to us because he likes our team and would like to play here," Rutherford said Tuesday during an interview on 99.9 The Fan. "I’ve been continuing to work on ways to do that. We’re going to have to move a player out before we’re able to add a player. At this point I haven’t been able to do that but he player is still waiting patiently."

Many have speculated why a "high caliber" free agent would be interested in a small market team like Carolina, but Svoboda said his client does, in fact, have interest.

"There are a lot of reasons," Svoboda said. "Ron Francis is there and when he looks at the roster and everything else, he feels that it’s a very good team."

Jagr and Francis played together in Pittsburgh from 1991-1998. During the 1995-96 season, Jagr amassed 149 points, 62 goals and 87 assists, while featured on a line with Francis, then team captain. Francis left the team, and captaincy to Jagr, after the 1997-98 season.

Amid speculation of two or three teams being involved, Svoboda said there are more than three teams.

"A long story short, there are more than three teams," he said. "Jaromir wants to be sure of the decision that he makes because he was in Philly, he was in Dallas, then in Boston. He wants to make sure he makes the right decision."

According to Svoboda, there is no timetable for Jagr’s decision.

"It could be soon, it could be a month from now," he said. "Right now, I’m just going to keep very quiet and we’ll see where it goes."

The Hurricanes powerplay struggled most of last season and Jagr's skill could certainly be a help. Can the Hurricanes close the deal and bring the future Hall of Fame player to Raleigh?

Fans are getting a change of pace in the exhibition games leading up the 2013-2014 NHL season, as the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning will come to Nashville for the Predators' only two pre-season games this year. It seems like the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals have been the usual guests.

From the Preds:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the Predators will open their seven-game 2013 preseason schedule with a doubleheader at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, Sept. 16. Nashville and Florida also played a doubleheader to start the 2011 preseason on Sept. 19, 2011.

Nashville's preseason schedule includes a pair of home games in three-day span: Sunday, Sept. 22 against the New York Islanders at 5 p.m. CT, and Tuesday, Sept. 24 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. CT. This will be the Predators first-ever preseason contest against the Islanders, while their first against Tampa Bay will come five days earlier when the teams face-off at Tampa Bay Times Forum on Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

In addition to their three games in South Florida, the Predators will travel to Washington for a 6 p.m. CT tilt on Sept. 25, and round out their preseason slate against the Islanders on Long Island onSept. 27 at 6 p.m. CT

The 2013-14 Nashville Predators rookie camp is scheduled to open Wednesday, Sept. 4, with veterans reporting on Wednesday, Sept. 11 for testing and physicals. The Predators' first day on the ice will be Thursday, Sept. 12 at Centennial Sportsplex.

Which of these two home games peaks your interest? I'd go with the Tampa Bay game myself, as we're more likely to see #3 overall draft pick Jonathan Drouin than we would see John Tavares from the Islanders...

Peter Svoboda, Jaromir Jagr's agent, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Canes Country Wednesday afternoon that the winger was, in fact, interested in joining the team.

According to team sources, the Hurricanes are currently not in discussions with 41-year-old winger; he was not the free agent general manager Jim Rutherford referred to Tuesday in a radio interview on 99.9 The Fan.

"One of the bigger free agent's agents contacted me and said 'my client may take a one-year deal, at a low number, just to come play for you guys,'" Rutherford said when speaking to the media following last months draft.

The question still remains, who are the 'Canes targeting?

Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg bracing for full NHL season | The Tennessean

I'm "bracing" for this season, too.

Is Shea Weber Still a Possibility for Philadelphia Flyers?-The Hockey Writers

They're trying to make my head explode. Obviously.

Three Minutes With: Predators Chief Amateur Scout Jeff Kealty - Section 303

If we're sticking with the number thing, shouldn't it be 303 minutes? It would require more interview prep, but still.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Why the media (and everyone else) should keep their shoes off the team logo in the dressing room | Backhand Shelf

Whenever "The Media" is for something, it makes me take a good, long look at the opposite opinion. Not sports-specific.

The All-Time 'Gave Up Too Soon' NHL Team - Grantland

Tyler Seguin is joining an elite group.

Blues Trade David Perron To Edmonton Oilers for Magnus Paajarvi And A Second Round Pick - St. Louis Game Time

"If you think 25 points in 48 games sounds like A LOT of points, yooouu might be a Predators fan"-Potential Jeff Foxworthy Predators joke.

Jagr's Agent Confirms Hurricanes "On The List" - Canes Country

It must be a really long list.

2012-13 Fight of the Year - hockeyfights.com

Big Ern is leading the pack.

Canucks, Senators to meet in Heritage Classic, as NHL finally announces sixth outdoor game | Puck Daddy

Prediction: In 5 years, every game will be played outdoors.

NHL to set specific guidelines for next year’s free-agent interview period | ProHockeyTalk

Teams and players will figure out a way to get around those, too.

8 Insane Sports Moments That Somehow Aren't Already Movies But Should Be-Buzzfeed

I think they missed one.

Unrestricted free agent forward Jaromir Jagr is open to joining the Carolina Hurricanes, according to agent Petr Svoboda as told to Jonathan Stout of Canes Country.

Svoboda indicated in the exclusive interview that vice president of hockey operations, Ron Francis, is one of the reasons he is interested in the club. Francis and Jagr were teammates with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1991-98 and won two Stanley Cup championships together over that span (1991, 1992).

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford stated in a radio interview on Tuesday that Carolina is still courting an "elite" level free agent who is willing to take less money on a one-year contract to play with the team. Rutherford expressed that he needs to move a player before making the prospective signing.

Given the options still available, some have speculated that the player could be Jagr or Mikhail Grabovski. Josh Rimer tweeted on Wednesday evening that the Hurricanes have not spoken to Grabovski or Jagr. In the interview with Stout, Svoboda says Carolina "was" on Jagr's list. Whether that is a turn of phrase or a past-tense desire, remains to be seen. Either way, an agreement requires the interest of two parties. It's still unclear whether Carolina is actually interested in Jagr.

In terms of Jagr's prospects, previous reports have indicated that three teams have expressed intrigue in the 41-year-old player. Svoboda states that number is inaccurate, via Canes Country:

"A long story short, there are more than three teams. Jaromir wants to be sure of the decision that he makes because he was in Philly, he was in Dallas, then in Boston. He wants to make sure he makes the right decision."

Jagr played in 45 regular season games in 2013 with the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins. Over that span, he collected 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points while averaging 18:20 of ice time.

More in the NHL:

Follow @SBNationNHL

• Full Free Agency coverage

• Full 2013 Draft coverage

• Photos: Chicago’s Stanley Cup parade

• The best of our hockey network

The Carolina Hurricanes have been in discussions with an "elite" level free agent who is willing to take below market value on a one-year contract to join the club. That player is not Jaromir Jagr, according to manager Jim Rutherford.

Rutherford discussed the negotiations with this mystery player via radio interview on Tuesday, via Canes Country:

"There is one guy that has said he will take less, and a one year contract, to come to us because he likes our team and would like to play here," Rutherford said Tuesday during an interview on 99.9 The Fan. "I've been continuing to work on ways to do that. We're going to have to move a player out before we're able to add a player. At this point I haven't been able to do that but he player is still waiting patiently."

Amidst speculation about where Jagr will end up, Carolina has been mentioned as a potential destination. Jagr's agent, Petr Svoboda, confirmed that Jagr would have interest in joining the Hurricanes. Svoboda even mentioned in an exclusive interview with Canes Country that Jagr liked the makeup of Carolina's roster, which fulled speculation about Jagr being this mystery player.

Ultimately, Rutherford's comments on Thursday put an end to that.

Svoboda stated that more than three teams have interest in Jagr. He has not identified any of the suitors.

More in the NHL:

Follow @SBNationNHL

• Full Free Agency coverage

• Full 2013 Draft coverage

• Photos: Chicago’s Stanley Cup parade

• The best of our hockey network

The Carolina Hurricanes added more competition for a role among their bottom six forwards Thursday, signing right Aaron Palushaj to a one-year contract. Palushaj spent last season in the Colorado organization, playing 25 games with the Avalanche and registering career highs in goals (two), assists (seven) and points (nine).

Palushaj, who was a second-round pick by St. Louis in 2007, will earn $600,000 in the NHL and $175,000 in the AHL, with a guaranteed salary of $225,000. He is the second former University of Michigan player signed by the Hurricanes in the past week — Carolina also added veteran defenseman Mike Komisarek on a one-year deal last week. Current Wolverines Phil Di Giuseppe (a 2012 second-round pick by Carolina) and Mike Chiasson (camp invitee) will be at the Hurricanes annual development camp next week.

Palushaj was the Wolverines' leading scorer in his second and final season with the Wolverines in 2008-09, registering 50 points in 39 games and outpacing teammate and current New York Ranger Carl Hagelin. Plaushaj, like Hagelin, is best known for his speed and could contribute in Carolina's bottom six. Here is the release from the Hurricanes.

‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH AARON PALUSHAJ
Winger had nine points in 25 games for Avalanche in 2012-13

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Vice President of Hockey Operations of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with right wing Aaron Palushaj (pul-LOO-shigh) on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Palushaj $600,000 on the NHL level or $175,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level with a guarantee of at least $225,000.

"Aaron is still a young player and has some NHL experience under his belt," said Francis. "He has good speed and good hands and we believe he can push for a job in Raleigh come September."

Palushaj, 23, scored two goals and added seven assists (9 points) in 25 games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2012-13, averaging 11:18 of ice time per game. The Livonia, MI, native also played 21 games with the Montreal Canadiens’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Hamilton, prior to being acquired by Colorado on waivers on Feb. 5, totaling 10 points (7g, 3a). Palushaj (5’11", 187 lbs.) established a career high in NHL games played with Montreal in 2011-12, when he appeared in 38 contests.

Selected by the Canadiens in the second round (44th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Palushaj has earned 14 points (3g, 11a) and totaled 18 penalty minutes in 66 career NHL games with Montreal and Colorado. He has played 190 games on the AHL level with Peoria and Hamilton, notching 54 goals and 82 assists (136 points). Prior to turning professional, Palushaj spent two seasons at the University of Michigan, where he earned All-American recognition as a sophomore after leading the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and ranking fourth nationally in scoring (44 points) in 2008-09. He has represented the United States at the 2009 World Junior Championship and the 2013 IIHF World Championship.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed goalie Mike Murphy and defenseman Michal Jordan to one-year, two-way deals on Thursday.

Murphy will earn $80,000 at the AHL level and $550,000 in the NHL. After several seasons in the Hurricanes farm system, the goalie signed in Russia last season but had a disappointing 1-5 record as well as a .877 save percentage. He played for Charlotte at the end of the year on a try-out contract.

Jordan played five games for the Canes last season, averaging over 10 minutes of ice time per game. He will be paid $125,000 in the AHL and $550,000 in the NHL, with a guaranteed minimum of $150,000.

For more info, check out Carolina Hurricanes.com.