Report: Waddell expected to represent Hurricanes at GM meetings

The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be diminishing Ron Francis' responsibilities even more than originally anticipated.

After being stripped of his general manager title and appointed to the position of president of hockey operations by new Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon last week, Francis may not represent the team at the upcoming GM meetings.

Waddell is a veteran hockey executive, but he's in his fourth year serving as president of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment, which "oversees the business sides of the Carolina Hurricanes and PNC Arena".

Related: Dundon says Francis move wasn't about him: 'I don't want to make decisions'

Even in the absence of a GM, the move would be an interesting one considering Francis would still seem to be the top hockey personnel employee on the Hurricanes' payroll.

Waddell was the Detroit Red Wings assistant GM when they won the Stanley Cup in 1998. He was also the first GM in Atlanta Thrashers history, occupying that role from June 1998 until the end of the 2009-10 season.