from Chip Alexander of the News & Observer,

Carolina is 8-6-3 on the road since the December turnaround and 12-13-4 overall. Can the Canes make it through March and still be a playoff contender come April? Good question.

Of course, it may be a moot point. Francis, who keeps things close to the vest, may already have made personnel decisions on such players as Eric Staal and Kris Versteeg and perhaps others due to become unrestricted free agents after the season.

Staal created a stir Thursday before the Ottawa game when he told the Ottawa media, “I’m not going to be crushed if a decision is made and I’m moving on for a different opportunity.” That was only a part of what he said. In fact, he said much the same as he has since April, and again insisted he enjoys playing for the Canes and wants to help the team reach the playoffs again and contend for another Stanley Cup.

Asked about the Ottawa comments after Friday’s game, Staal said, “It was twisted. I didn’t like that. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have answered some of the questions hypothetically. That happens on occasion. I’ll learn from it.

“My focus is with this group and this team and winning games and enjoying coming to the rink with this group.”

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