Brett Carson figured he had done all he could do. The defenseman played 54 games for the Canes last season, was plus-5, had 89 blocked shots and was solid on the back end.
But once the season ended, Carson waited. And waited. A restricted free agent, he did not receive a qualifying offer from the Canes. Come July 1, he was still unsigned and thus unrestricted.
"I was surprised," he said. "I thought it was going to be get a qualifying offer and get it signed and be back. But it's a business and that stuff happens.
"I was a free agent for a bit. But from the day I went on the free-agent market I wanted to be back here. All my friends are here and the organization has treated me great."
Carson, 24, said there was a "little bit of interest" from other teams seeking defensemen, and at a reasonable price. But on July 20, he agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina that will pay him $500,000 on the NHL level.
"The whole thing was about opportunity, sitting down and making sure this was the best opportunity for me," Carson said. "In the end, this is the place where I wanted to be.
"I've only played 60 games (in his NHL career) and it's tough. Look at how the market went this year. There are still a lot of players who are not signed. I'm just happy I'm back here."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
