Cole

It looks like the Carolina Hurricanes, who ousted the Boston Bruins in last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals in seven games, are going to look similar to their 2008-09 edition when they return for the upcoming campaign.

Today they re-signed veteran winger Erik Cole to a two-year deal worth a reported $5.8 million. The veteran had decided to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent but didn’t wait all that long after noon today to figure out what we all already — he belongs with the ‘Canes. Although he was a ghost in the playoffs, Cole’s only success has come with Carolina, more specifically with Eric Staal centering his line. Depending on what they do with fellow UFA Chad LaRose, the ‘Canes could be back with the same forward corps the next time they cross paths with the Bruins.

Here are a couple more of my quick-hit thoughts on the day so far:

•Ray Emery and Brian Boucher? Brian Boucher and Ray Emery! Yes folks, that is the goaltending tandem Philadelphia thinks is going to win it the Stanley Cup. I’m pretty sure they’d be better off putting on an off-off-Broadway production of “The Odd Couple” with those two. So they’re idea of building a championship team is trading the future for a 35-year-old defenseman with anger-management issues (Chris Pronger) and stopping pucks with a guy who’s more famous for being late than anything he’s ever done in the crease and a journeyman who has passed his prime. By the way, have you look at the rest of Philly’s back end? All questions marks other than an aging Kimmo Timonen.

•You’ve got to love the Mike Knuble signing from Washington’s standpoint. A big, active body on the ice, Knuble is known as a great locker room guy. He’ll make sure there’s more maturity among the Capitals going forward.

•If I didn’t know better, I’d say Bob Gainey was letting a pet monkey make his moves. After taking on the ludicrous Scott Gomez contract (and dealing a solid player in Chris Higgins and a top prospect in Ryan McDonagh to get it), Gainey’s big move in free agency was Jaroslav Spacek — a turnover-prone, soft defender. If that’s his way of making up for the eventual loss of Mike Komisarek, the Molson Bros. might want to re-think that purchase they made.