September 10, 2023 | 11:35am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
PESCE FUTURE UNCLEAR IN CAROLINA
Brett Pesce, defenceman
The Carolina Hurricanes have a surplus of defencemen on their roster this season and there has been a lot of speculation this summer over who could be on the odd man out.
As TFP reported earlier in the summer, the Hurricanes held trade discussions with teams, including the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, about blueliner Brett Pesce.
Pesce, who owns a 15-team trade list, is in the final year of his contract and comes with a $4.025 million salary cap hit.
Contract talks over the off-season between the Hurricanes and Pesce’s camp have not yet progressed, though negotiations are expected to pick up again later this month. Whether those discussions can lead to an extension remains to be seen.
Pesce is believed to be looking for a long-term deal with a hefty raise and might price himself out of the Hurricanes’ plans.
Carolina GM Don Waddell could elect to hold on to Pesce and ride out the season with him, letting him walk as an unrestricted free agent in July 2024, if they cannot reach an extension by the start of the regular-season. Alternatively, if the right trade presents itself, Waddell could move the 28-year-old and proceed this season with the seven other defencemen on the roster.
In 82 games with the Hurricanes last season, Pesce registered five goals and 25 assists for 30 points, and 43 penalty minutes.