Freidman: Carolina Gave Pesce Permission to Talk to Other Teams

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his second period goal against the New Jersey Devils in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 09, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

On today's episode of 32 Thoughts the podcast Elliotte Friedman reported that the Carolina Hurricanes gave "a couple" of teams permission to speak with Brett Pesce. Carolina and the 28-year-old defenseman have been in negotiations for a contract extension that would take effect after the upcoming season. Pesce has one year remaining on his current contract with the team that drafted him 66th overall in 2013.

Throughout the off-season, a potential trade involving Brett Pesce has swirled through the NHL's rumor mill. Soon after the end of Carolina's season, Pesce replaced his agent knowing extension negotiations would start shortly thereafter. Brett hired Judd Moldaver who also represents Austin Mathews and five other high-profile NHL defensemen. Reading the tea leaves, it looks like Pesce made the decision knowing how difficult it can be to hammer out a contract with Don Waddell's office. Within a few days, Pierre LeBurn reported that Carolina informed Pesce's agents that if he didn't re-sign this off-season he would be traded.

Since then reports have trickled out about Brett Pesce's future with the Carolina Hurricanes. Including other potential deadlines for him to re-sign or be traded. However, all of those deadlines have come and gone since they were initially reported. Freidman went on to say that he believes Brett will start the season as a Hurricane.

It's easy to speculate that both teams were unable to agree to terms with Pesce's agent during their conversations. I mean. - He's still here. At least for now. This is a positive sign for Carolina's front office who hope to keep the skilled defenseman for less than his current asking price and Hurricanes fans who want to see the homegrown defenseman stay with their favorite club.

Today's report does not set Pesce's future in stone. Nor does it reassure worried fans about a potential trade. Yet, today's news can be seen as the light at the end of the tunnel. At least two other teams also disagree with Pesce's current asking price, which is a signal that Carolina's chances of extending him are higher than before.