Ron Francis removed as Canes general manager, assigned to new role

[doniceage]

The Carolina Hurricanes are searching for a new general manager after team owner Tom Dundon announced late Wednesday that Ron Francis will transition into a new role as president of hockey operations.

In a release announcing the move, the team said it will conduct a "full search" for a new general manager, who will report directly to Dundon.
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/hurrica...ions/17400552/

[drakkar]

Jimmy Rutherford decimated the farm in putting together the 2006 Cup team and then saddled the team with ridiculous contracts to Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Alexander Semin, Jordan Staal, Justin Faulk, etc. In 4 seasons Francis did a solid job of getting out from under most of those contracts and restocking the cupboard very nicely. But he was so conservative and sat on his hands through many a draft and trade deadline, and in those 4 seasons he didn't make a single 'hockey trade'. Bill Peters publicly asked for better players but was basically told to be patient. Enter Dundon, a self-processed impatient owner who wanted to make some splashes, and the difference between him and Francis. I expected a change during the off-season (which probably would have been preferable, as pretty much everyone who Dundon has contacted about the position is currently in the middle of a playoff push elsewhere and isn't ready to talk about next year), but it came sooner. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Peters - i think he fits Dundon's style a lot better than Francis, but he's still 4 years in with no playoffs.