Former Penguin Francis ousted as Hurricanes GM

Hall of Fame player and former Penguins star Ron Francis is out as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes after four years but will remain with the team in another front-office position.

New owner Tom Dundon said Wednesday night that the team will begin a search for a new GM to report directly to Dundon. Francis will move into a new role as the team’s president of hockey operations.

Dundon said in a statement that he “had a good chance to be around and assess the operations” and felt a change “is needed when it comes to hockey personnel decisions.”

The move came a day after a 6-2 loss at Minnesota, which left Carolina four points outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Boston

Forward David Backes was suspended three games for a shoulder to the head of Detroit’s Frans Nielsen. Nielsen had already unloaded the puck when Backes drove his shoulder into the Red Wings forward, who fell to the ice, left the game and did not return. The suspension without pay will cost Backes $96,774.

Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews returned to practice for the first time since injuring his right shoulder Feb. 22, but it remains unclear when he will return to the lineup. The Maple Leafs next game is Saturday at home against the Penguins.