Canes defenseman Brett Pesce likely to hit free agent market

“Thank you CANIACS for always being good to myself and the Pesce family!” Brian Pesce wrote on the post. “Will certainly miss all of you! GO CANES.”

Pesce was in the final year of a six-year, $24.15 million contract extension that began in 2018-19. The 6-foot-3, right-handed defenseman is expected to be one of the top unrestricted free agents this summer.

Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli said in a February episode of Morning Cuppa Hockey that the Hurricanes had not made an offer to extend the 29-year-old.

On Thursday, The Leafs Nation shared a report from Sportsnet’s Luke Fox that Pesce would be a top target for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer. He was listed as the second-best defenseman that could be available if he hits the open market.

Drafted by the Hurricanes in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the blueliner has spent his entire career with the Carolina. Through 70 games this season, Pesce had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points, averaging 20:17 of ice time.

Through nine NHL seasons, Pesce has 39 goals and 159 assists for 198 points in 627 career games. He’s averaged 21:05 of ice time through his career.

He only played two games during this postseason, suffering a non-contact injury during Game 2 of the Hurricanes’ first-round matchup against the New York Islanders.