Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have been anxiously awaiting Sunday.

So, too, Ray Whitney. And Bryan Allen.

In fact, a host of NHL players who will be unrestricted free agents could be cashing in as the NHL free-agency period begins at noon, when general managers start scrambling and the dollars start flying.

How active will the Carolina Hurricanes be today?

"We'll be poking around," Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford said.

They have the salary-cap space to do more than poke. They have additional financial resources. They have a good place to live - always a pitch to free agents - and a well-respected coach in Kirk Muller.

Rutherford said the Hurricanes would like to add a veteran defenseman. Muller added it would be preferable to find someone to play the right side and in the top four on the back end, possibly with Tim Gleason.

"A guy who can move the puck, play against the top guys and take on a lot of minutes," he said.

The Hurricanes also have other needs - namely a scoring winger and a backup goalkeeper.

"Up front, we're short a guy still," Muller said of the forward situation. "If we can make our team better in that area, we'll be pretty happy."

The Canes might make an offer to Parise, the New Jersey Devils captain and the top forward available on the market. They might do the same to Shea Weber, the Nashville Predators defenseman who will be much in demand.

The Hurricanes likely won't be able to match offers that front-load huge salaries the first few years of contracts, which is likely out of their price range.

But Rutherford noted the Canes have signed a new 10-year agreement with Fox Sports Carolinas that will provide "considerably higher" revenue. The team has also added minority investors, including Rutherford.

"We're in a stronger position," he said.

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