When the free agency period began and left wing Erik Cole remained unsigned, it appeared it might signal another departure from the Hurricanes. But it turned out to be the first order of business for the team, and they signed him to a two-year contract July 1.

For Cole, it's a pay reduction from the $4 million contract he completed. But at $2.8 million and $3 million the next two seasons, he'll be able to stay at home. He maintained a Raleigh-area residence after last summer's trade to the Edmonton Oilers and his return in a March trade set him up to stick around even longer.

Cole is a veteran member of the team and though he went through a couple of seasons when trade speculation was rabid, he offers the team a form of roster stability. ...More