Shell
02-25-2004, 01:18 PM
Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 11:34:35 AM EST
Hurricanes stick with Lowell
By BARRY SCANLON, Sun Staff
Barring any unforeseen snags, the Carolina Hurricanes will send their top prospects to Tsongas Arena for a fourth season next fall.
Carolina's three-year deal with the Lowell Lock Monsters is nearing its end, but Jason Karmanos, the Hurricanes' vice president/assistant general manager, told The Sun yesterday that Carolina is close to signing a new deal with Lowell.
"I would think we'll be wrapping things up within the next couple of weeks," Karmanos said as he was boarding a bus in Washington, D.C. "I don't have anything that leads me to believe that it will take any longer than that."
According to Karmanos, Carolina has an "agreement in principle" with the Calgary Flames to share the affiliation with the Lock Monsters for a second season.
The Carolina/Calgary dual partnership has, for the most part, run smoothly for the Lock Monsters this season, even though the team needs to make a late surge to make the American Hockey League playoffs.
"Things are moving along fine. There really is no deadline from our perspective," Karmanos said. "It should be completed very soon. The agreement with Lowell has worked well. I don't anticipate any problems."
Due to the National Hockey League's labor uncertainty and the threat of a lockout for some or all of the 2004-05 season, the Hurricanes' deal with Lowell will likely be for one season, with the option for additional years, Karmanos said.
Turning to hockey, Karmanos said right wing Pavel Brendl, who scored 33 points in 33 games with the Lock Monsters this season, broke his collarbone when he was hit during a game Monday night in Toronto. Brendl may be out 4-6 weeks, or the rest of the season.
"He was playing really well. It was a shame because was putting together a streak in which he was really consistent," Karmanos said.
Ex-Lowell defenseman Allan Rourke collected his first NHL point with an assist before 15 or so family and friends in Toronto.
Karmanos was asked about the talk-radio rumor that the Bruins are trying to deal for Carolina veteran center Ron Francis.
"It's funny because there's really no truth to that whatsoever," Karmanos said.
Hurricanes stick with Lowell
By BARRY SCANLON, Sun Staff
Barring any unforeseen snags, the Carolina Hurricanes will send their top prospects to Tsongas Arena for a fourth season next fall.
Carolina's three-year deal with the Lowell Lock Monsters is nearing its end, but Jason Karmanos, the Hurricanes' vice president/assistant general manager, told The Sun yesterday that Carolina is close to signing a new deal with Lowell.
"I would think we'll be wrapping things up within the next couple of weeks," Karmanos said as he was boarding a bus in Washington, D.C. "I don't have anything that leads me to believe that it will take any longer than that."
According to Karmanos, Carolina has an "agreement in principle" with the Calgary Flames to share the affiliation with the Lock Monsters for a second season.
The Carolina/Calgary dual partnership has, for the most part, run smoothly for the Lock Monsters this season, even though the team needs to make a late surge to make the American Hockey League playoffs.
"Things are moving along fine. There really is no deadline from our perspective," Karmanos said. "It should be completed very soon. The agreement with Lowell has worked well. I don't anticipate any problems."
Due to the National Hockey League's labor uncertainty and the threat of a lockout for some or all of the 2004-05 season, the Hurricanes' deal with Lowell will likely be for one season, with the option for additional years, Karmanos said.
Turning to hockey, Karmanos said right wing Pavel Brendl, who scored 33 points in 33 games with the Lock Monsters this season, broke his collarbone when he was hit during a game Monday night in Toronto. Brendl may be out 4-6 weeks, or the rest of the season.
"He was playing really well. It was a shame because was putting together a streak in which he was really consistent," Karmanos said.
Ex-Lowell defenseman Allan Rourke collected his first NHL point with an assist before 15 or so family and friends in Toronto.
Karmanos was asked about the talk-radio rumor that the Bruins are trying to deal for Carolina veteran center Ron Francis.
"It's funny because there's really no truth to that whatsoever," Karmanos said.