Hurricanes' Tlusty on trade rumors: 'It's kind of hard but it is what it is'

With the trade deadline and impending unrestricted free agency looming, Carolina Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty understands that he could be changing addresses in the next few days. 

The Hurricanes are on a path to miss the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season and general manager Ron Francis has made it known he's likely going to move several UFAs. 

Having already been traded once before in his career, Tlusty understands the process and is doing his part to keep his attention on the things he can control. 

"Obviously I know the deal and know what they expect to do," Tlusty told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News and Observer. "I'm trying to block it out of my mind and just play the game I know how to play. You need stay really focused on the game and that's what I'm trying to do.

"It's kind of hard but it is what it is. Other guys go through it in their careers and I'm going through it right now. It's a part of the business and you have to understand as a player what's the management plan. My plan is to go out there and do things right."

The soon-to-be 27-year-old has 13 goals and 10 assists in 51 games this season and has spent six of his eight seasons in the NHL with the Hurricanes. 

"I'd like to stay," Tlusty said. "For six years Carolina gave me the opportunity to play and I like it here. I have a lot of friends outside of hockey. It's been six great years but it's the business."