Ward never found his rhythm for Canes

The News & Observer suggests that with five straight non-playoff campaigns, anything is possible when it comes to change for the Carolina Hurricanes. That could mean trading Eric Staal or Cam Ward.

“I struggled to get comfortable all season long,” Ward said Tuesday. “Obviously I got the injury, and coming back from that I felt like I was playing catchup. I wasn’t able to get consecutive games to try and get my game going. Anton had a great season. I was never able to get into a rhythm.”

Ward heard the trade rumblings during the season.

“Obviously it’s not something that you want to hear,” Ward said. “My family and I consider this our home and have for nine years and I definitely want to be a Hurricane moving forward. To hear those rumors is difficult but you don’t want to make too much of it because I wasn’t told anything.

“I do believe I’ll overcome this and get my game back to where it used to be. I hope that’s here in Carolina.”

Source: Chip Alexander, News & Observer