Erik Cole has signed a $18 million/four-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens. $4.5 million per year is quite a bit for Cole. He should be regarded as more of a second line player, even though Carolina often used him as a first liner. That being said, Cole is capable of scoring 20-30 goals and 50-60 points per season while being a force physically. He was second on the Hurricanes last season with 225 hits, which is also 85 more than the Canadiens 2010-11 leader in that category.

The Philadelphia Flyers could present Erik Cole with a serious offer when the free agency period begins on Friday. Cole would play on the Flyers second line and fill the void left by Ville Leino, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Philadelphia might also consider signing Simon Gagne, who spent his entire career within the Flyers' organization before he was traded to Tampa Bay last summer.

According to Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford, Erik Cole has never told Carolina what it would take to re-sign him. Cole seems focused on becoming an unrestricted free agent on Friday and seeing what he's worth on the open market. Although Cole should be regarded as a second liner on most teams, he might get paid significantly more than that position warrants, given how thin the 2011 unrestricted free agent market is. We'll keep you posted.

According to Erik Cole's agent, Steve Bartlett, his client is preparing to test the waters of unrestricted free agency. "Erik wants to see what the options are on July 1st," Bartlett said via email. "That is in no way a slam on the Hurricanes or his appreciation of the role they have played in his career. He has never really explored free agency in his career and feels that he is at the age when it makes sense to see all offers before deciding on what he wants to do." Cole had 26 goals and 26 helpers in 82 games with Carolina this past campaign in a great rebound year.

Erik Cole reportedly isn't close to signing with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are still interested, but at this point, we wouldn't blame Cole if he wants to test the free agent waters. There aren't many good forwards on the market and that might result in teams overpaying for Cole's services if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Cole had 26 goals and 52 points in 82 games last season.

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford and Erik Cole, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, haven't engaged in any serious contract talks. Rutherford was expecting to hear from Cole or his agent by now, but that hasn't happened. Cole's agent, Steve Bartlett, said that they would get back to Jim here at some point." Rutherford had classified re-signing Cole as a top priority last month. We'll see if the two sides are able to work something out.