WRAL Sports Fan

Hurricanes

Canes deal for Cole, give up Williams at trade deadline

Mar 5, 2009

Raleigh, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing back Erik Cole and dealing Justin Williams on the day of the NHL trade deadline, the NHL franchise announced Wednesday.

It's a three-way deal.

Cole has played in 64 games for Edmonton this year, with 16 goals and 11 assists. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Williams has played in 32 games this year, with three goals and seven assists.

Rutherford said Cole makes $4 million this season and Williams, who has struggled with injuries, makes $3.5 million. Williams also has two more years on his contract, at $3.5 million per year, while Cole is a free agent.

Rutherford noted that moving Williams' salary improves the team in the short term and also gives the franchise flexibility after the season to either re-sign Cole or use the money for a different player.

"Based on the economy now, it's a little different than how we usually approach things."

Rutherford said Cole gives Carolina a bigger, quicker player, and that coach Paul Maurice was in favor of the deal.

The Hurricanes dealt right wing Justin Williams to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for center Patrick O’Sullivan and a second-round pick (acquired by Los Angeles from Calgary) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Carolina then traded O’Sullivan and its own second-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft to Edmonton for Cole and Edmonton’s fifth-round pick in the 2009 Draft.

“Erik was an important player for our team for a long time, and will be an integral part of our push for the playoffs,” said Rutherford. “We thank Justin for all he has done for us. It is difficult to part ways with Justin because of what he has meant to our organization. The last few years have been tough on him and our team with his injuries, and we wish him all the best in Los Angeles.”

Cole, 30, has netted 16 goals and earned 11 assists (27 points) in 63 games with the Edmonton Oilers this season. The Oswego, N.Y., native leads all Oilers skaters in hits this season with 134, skating in all 63 games for Edmonton and averaging 17:04 of ice time per game. His 16 goals rank third on the team. In 481 career NHL games with Carolina and Edmonton, Cole has notched 307 points (145g, 162a) and 469 penalty minutes.

Williams completes his Hurricanes career with 201 points (81 goals 120 assists) and 217 penalty minutes in 265 regular-season games played. The Cobourg, Ont., native totaled seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 25 career playoff games for the Hurricanes, sealing the team’s Stanley Cup Championship with an empty-net goal in Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against Edmonton.