Hurricanes to be 'fairly active' at deadline: report

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said he is looking to make deals leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 2.

"We hope to be fairly active," Francis told the News & Observer.

Francis addressed his attempts to sign upcoming unrestricted free agent forward Jiri Tlusty and defenseman Andrej Sekera.

"We're still in the process of talking to players and their agents," he said. "Until the door completely closes, there's a chance. At the same time we're seeing what's out there in the market."

The report said Sekera could be seeking at least $5 million a season in a new contract, a price the Hurricanes could be reluctant to pay.

Sekera has two goals and 16 assists in 51 games. Tlusty is second on the Hurricanes with 12 goals (Eric Staal, 17).

Forward Jay McClement and defenseman Tim Gleason also can become unrestricted free agents.