Time to put an end to the Patrick-Eaves-could-return speculation. The forward, traded by the Canes last month in the deal that brought Aaron Ward back to Carolina, has been signed by the Detroit Red Wings.

Eaves signed a one-year contract Tuesday with the Wings, TSN is reporting.

Eaves was traded to the Boston Bruins in the July 24 deal for Ward and was then placed on waivers by the Bruins.

The Carolina Hurricanes turned to a familiar face to shore up the blue line, acquiring Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward in a trade that sends forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL draft.

"With this trade, our defense really takes shape," Jim Rutherford said in a news release. "Aaron played very well during his time in Carolina and had maintained that consistency with New York and Boston. We envision him complementing Joni Pitkanen well as a defensive pairing."

Erik Cole’s impending return to the RBC Center with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday should mark one of the few times Carolina Hurricanes fans have had a real chance to salute one of their departed favorites.

Ron Francis, Arturs Irbe and Glen Wesley, just to name a few, were traded elsewhere but never played against the Hurricanes in Raleigh. A few returned to abuse — Keith Primeau tops that list — and a few to acclaim, like Matt Cullen and Aaron Ward when they returned with the New York Rangers less than five months after winning the Stanley Cup with the Canes.

Put it all together, and you get Tuesday’s Top Five: The top five Hurricanes homecomings.

For all the talk about the Canes replacing injured forward Justin Williams, and how it could affect the lines, what about the defensive combinations?

Newcomer Joni Pitkanen seems set with Tim Gleason. Another defensive combination likely could be Niclas Wallin and Joe Corvo. 

The third? Could be Anton Babchuk and Josef Melichar.