RALEIGH - The Carolina Hurricanes took their first tenative step into the free agent pool today, signing veteran defenceman Nolan Pratt. Pratt has been signed to a 2-year deal and is expected to play for the pro team this season.
"It's an exciting opportunity for me," said Pratt, "I know I can still contribute, and I wanted to make sure I signed somewhere that would give me a spot on the pro roster."
"We've been trying to add some veteran help this year to make the team more competitive," noted GM Norm Donovan, "and Nolan is the first step. We have a number of offers out there to various players but haven't as yet heard back from them, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
Sources have indicated that the Hurricanes have sent out close to a dozen offers to players from virtually all positions in an attempt to shore up their depleted roster. The Hurricanes are apparently trying to build slowly, with the intention of becoming legitimate contenders by as early as next season - as implausible as it may sound.
Donovan, however, is notoriously tight-fisted when it comes to free agent contracts, so it remains to be seen if he is serious in his claims or is simply shoring up season-ticket sales.