Report: Canes will trade Pesce if extension isn't signed

The Carolina Hurricanes won't go into next season with Brett Pesce on an expiring contract.

The Hurricanes want to re-sign Pesce, and talks continue between the two sides, but if a contract can't be agreed upon, Carolina will trade the blue-liner this summer, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday's "Insider Trading."

The Buffalo Sabres are among the clubs to have already reached out regarding Pesce's availability, LeBrun added.

Pesce's entering the final season of a six-year contract signed in 2017. He has a $4.025-million cap hit in 2022-23 and no trade protection.

The 28-year-old is one of the league's best right-shot defensive defensemen. Though he only has a career high of 30 points - set last season - Pesce has averaged over 20 minutes for seven consecutive seasons on a contending team in Carolina.

Since 2018-19, Pesce ranks 26th among defensemen in goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.

Pesce's now represented by Judd Moldaver, a change that was announced on June 9. Moldaver's client list includes the likes of Auston Matthews, Roman Josi, and Zach Werenski.

Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns are the only NHL blue-liners the Hurricanes have under contract for the 2024-25 season.

Carolina enters the offseason with just over $24 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly.

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