Hurricanes buy out final year of D Wisniewski's deal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the final year of veteran defenseman James Wisniewski's contract.

General manager Ron Francis announced the move Thursday.

The 32-year-old Wisniewski was to make $3 million this coming season. Instead, he will receive $2 million over the next two years and will become an unrestricted free agent Friday when the NHL's free agency period starts.

The Hurricanes acquired Wisniewski from Anaheim in a trade for goaltender Anton Khudobin last June. Wisniewski suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first period of the opening game.