There might be even more of a Carolina connection on the Calgary Flames next season.
Pending unrestricted free agent Derek Ryan is expected to meet with the Flames on Thursday, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
The 31-year-old journeyman center spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and their former head coach Bill Peters, who's now behind the bench with Calgary.
Ryan produced 15 goals and won 56.5 percent of his faceoffs in 2017-18.
If he decides to join the Flames, Ryan would not only be reunited with Peters, but also with fellow center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin, who were acquired by Calgary in the blockbuster deal that sent blue-liner Dougie Hamilton and forward Micheal Ferland to Carolina at the draft on Saturday.