Ice Hockey: Francis turns down front office job

Ron Francis turned down a front-office job with the Carolina Hurricanes and is still deciding whether he wants to continue his playing career.

The Hurricanes told the 41-year-old center and former team captain that they didn't want him back as a player, but they offered him a position working with young players in their system.

Carolina traded Francis to Toronto in March after he spent six seasons with the Hurricanes. He became a free agent in July, and his family remains in Raleigh.

"I haven't made any decisions about what I want to do, but if I decide to play, then obviously I can't take the job," said Francis, who helped Carolina reach the 2002 Stanley Cup finals. "If I don't play, I don't think the timing is right to step in there."

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said the Hurricanes wouldn't hire someone else to fill the position offered to Francis, but the team might add another pro scout instead.

Only two NHL players have played in more games than Francis, who with 1,731 is 37 behind Gordie Howe and 25 behind Mark Messier. He is second in assists with 1,249, behind only Wayne Gretzky, and fourth in goals with 549 and points with 1,798.

isnt he just a little too old?