Carolina Hurricanes: The Second Ron Francis Trade Tree

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 12: Center Ron Francis #10 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game on November 12, 2002 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 3-2. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images/NHLI)

In 2004, the Carolina Hurricanes were not going to make the playoffs. They were a long way outside, and there was no hope of making the cut. Just two years after a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Canes were put in a tough situation. The face of the franchise, Ron Francis, was in the final year of his contract, and so the Carolina Hurricanes traded him at the 2004 NHL trade deadline.

Ron Francis spent 16 years with the…