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Hurricanes owner looking to shake up, toughen up team

Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty

Expect a busy summer if you're a Carolina Hurricanes fan.

New owner Tom Dundon wasn't shy when discussing what he wants to see out of the Canes at his end-of-season press conference, saying the team needs a major shake-up, and adding that "either the players have to be tougher or you bring in tougher players."

"I don't want anyone to feel comfortable," he said, according to Michael Smith of the team's website. "Everyone has to do it different."

While he didn't give specific names, Dundon clearly thought many of his team's players underachieved.

"Right now we have a lot of good assets," he said. "We didn't get enough out of any of those assets."

The Hurricanes were many experts' hot pick to leap into the postseason this year, but they didn't come close, finishing 14 points out of a playoff spot.

In many instances, the head coach takes the fall when a team fails to meet expectations, but Dundon says no decisions have been made on Bill Peters' future, per Michael Smith.

The search for the heir apparent to Ron Francis is ongoing, but Don Waddell will handle interim GM duties in the meantime, Dundon said, according to Smith.

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