Francis out as Hurricanes GM, is reassigned

Ron Francis is no longer general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Francis will become Hurricanes president of hockey operations, and Carolina will immediately begin a search for a new GM who will report directly to Tom Dundon, who became majority owner Jan. 11.
"Since I took control of the team, I've had a good chance to be around and assess the operations," Dundon said. "There are a lot of good people working in the organization, but I feel that a change in direction is needed when it comes to hockey personnel decisions.
"Ron is a smart and talented hockey man. I am glad that he will continue to be a part of the team, serving in this new role."

Francis has been Hurricanes GM since 2014, when he was promoted to replace Jim Rutherford. He has been in Carolina management for 12 seasons.
Carolina has made the Stanley Cup Playoffs once (2008-09) since winning the Cup in 2005-06. The Hurricanes (29-27-11) trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by four points for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference with 15 games remaining.
"I'm not the kind of guy to wait around," Dundon told The News & Observer on Wednesday.
"We're just trying to break up the hockey stuff," he said. "We're undermanned there. We could stand to continue to evolve, in a good way, to get more throughput."
Francis is the Carolina/Hartford Whalers leader with 382 goals and 1,175 points. He retired as an NHL player before the 2005-06 season.