The Carolina Hurricanes will not be signing any of the former Canadian World Juniors players who are now NHL free agents, according to league sources.
The Hurricanes showed interest in bottom-six forward Michael McLeod and goaltender Carter Hart in recent weeks but couldn’t “get to something both sides would be comfortable with.”
McLeod, Hart, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote are unrestricted free agents after being found not guilty on sexual assault charges in July. Alex Formenton — the fifth player who was part of an eight-week trial stemming from the alleged incident in June 2018 — is a restricted free agent whose NHL rights are controlled by the Ottawa Senators.
Hart is expected to sign a contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in the coming days, according to league sources. He considered opportunities with the Hurricanes and Utah Mammoth before opting for the chance to go to Vegas.
McLeod appeared to be heading to Carolina. There were reports last month that the team was set to add the 27-year-old, who last had 10 goals and 19 points in 45 games for the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24.
However, the contract never materialized.
League sources say the differences weren’t related to potential compensation in the deal. The players are each eligible to sign a contract that can’t be registered until Oct. 15 and are free to appear in NHL games as of Dec. 1.
(Photo of Michael McLeod: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)
Oct 3, 2025
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