Cole expects to be back

As far as he's concerned, Erik Cole expects to be back in a Hurricanes uniform next season. The 30-year-old forward is an unrestricted free agent, but his comments Friday indicated he thinks his second stint with the Hurricanes will continue. "I would expect to (be back)," Cole said. "Obviously, we'll wait and see what happens over the next month or little over a month or so. We'll see what happens but this is where I expect to be." Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford on Thursday: “Erik Cole’s playoff performance would not eliminate him as being part of our team next year. We still need that type of player.” Cole played a key role down the stretch, recording 15 points in 17 games after his return from the Oilers, but fizzled in the playoffs, failing to score in 18 games. He said in addition to the knee injury he suffered in Game 1 of the conference finals, he was playing with a couple of "minor injuries" he would not disclos...