RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes are eager to get a feel for their new management. With training camp coming up later this month, the Hurricanes are ready to find out how their new bosses — general manager Ron Francis and coach Bill Peters — are going to run things. Goalie Cam Ward said Thursday that hes spoken to his new coach 3-4 times on the phone and "from the small amount of time Ive talked to him, I view him as a straight shooter." Ward said he expects Peters to install a "strong foundation and a sound structure." But he noted that it will be up to the players to put that plan in motion and prevent the Hurricanes playoff drought from reaching a sixth year. "The players put on the skates, and its important that the players execute the plan," Ward said. "A coach can only do so much. He can set it up for you, but its important that the players execute, and if they arent executing, its up the players to hold each other accountable." Ward expects to spend this preseason fighting for his job with Anton Khudobin, who beat him out last year. Ward won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Hurricanes run to the 2006 Stanley Cup. But Carolina has made only one post-season appearance since then, in 2009. But instead of tearing apart the roster, the Hurricanes only major moves this off-season came on the management side. Francis moved up a spot to GM when Jim Rutherford stepped aside into an advisory role — and was subsequently hired as the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager. His first major moves were to fire coach Kirk Muller after three years and no playoff appearances, and to hire Peters from Detroits staff. A few players came and went — defenceman Tim Gleason came back as a free agent, while backup goalie Justin Peters left for Washington and lower-line centre Manny Malhotra signed with Montreal. But for the most part, the nucleus of the team was preserved — and thats given the returning players a dose of confidence. "I dont think you can say weve got a bad team in that locker room," defenceman Justin Faulk said. "Weve got a lot of good players that have stepped up and done pretty good things in this league. Its just putting it all together and coming together as a team and growing and becoming the team that we know we can be." The players acknowledged that they arent yet entirely familiar with their new coach or what he wants. Faulk and Ward said theyve only spoken to him so far by phone, and forward Jiri Tlusty said he has yet to meet Peters — largely because Tlusty spent the off-season overseas and just got back to Raleigh last week. Thats not a concern because they figure theyll spend plenty of time together — virtually every day beginning in training camp and ending in what they hope is a playoff run that lasts into next June. "Were going to have a lot of time to chat and were going to spend a lot of days together again," Tlusty said. "All of us." ___ Follow Joedy McCreary on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joedyapAir Max 97 Pas Cher Chine . Meeks has agreed to a $19.5 million, three-year deal with Detroit, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday night. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free agents cant sign contracts until the leagues moratorium ends July 10, also said Cartier Martin had agreed to a one-year contract with the rebuilding franchise. Destockage Nike Air Max 90 . -- The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have completed a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for the former BYU sensation to become a free agent. http://www.maxnikepascher.fr/grossiste-a...-270-femme.html. The Laval Rouge et Or defensive back/kick-returner gained the invitation following his showing Sunday at an NFL regional combine in Baltimore. Grossiste Nike Air Max . -- John Fox will coach the Denver Broncos from the sideline and not the booth upon his return Sunday five weeks after heart surgery. Vapormax Femme Pas Cher . -- The Chiefs have signed seven players to reserve/future contracts, including running back Joe McKnight, a former fourth-round pick of the New York Jets.HOYLAKE, England -- Tiger Woods was an early arrival to the British Open with hopes of avoiding an early departure. Woods has played only two competitive rounds in the last four months because of back pain that led to surgery. Thats why he chose to get to England a day earlier than usual -- Saturday -- to get acclimated to links golf at Royal Liverpool. Its nothing like he remembers from his two-shot victory in 2006. Hoylake was brown and dusty that year, and the ball was bouncing along at such speed that Woods hit only one driver the entire week. That was on the 16th hole, and the shot wound up on the 17th fairway. He still made birdie. "The golf course is a little bit softer than what it was in 06," Woods said on Tuesday. "Ive played three practice rounds now and have had three different winds. So thats been helpful to be able to see the golf course in different conditions." As an example of the change, Woods pulled out a driver on the par-5 fifth hole with the wind in his face. His tee shot landed in the fairway. That he already has played three practice rounds has been encouraging. Woods missed the cut at Congressional in his return to competition three weeks ago, though he was pleased that he felt no pain from March 31 back surgery. He even has been to the gym twice in the last couple of days. Woods played 12 holes on Saturday and a full 18 on Sunday and Tuesday, taking a break Monday to work out and then go to the practice range. "Its one of the reasons why I came over a little earlier," he said. " I went to Geneva for a day with Rolex, but I came here a day earlier than I normally would to have an extra day in there, as well as possibly taking a day off, if need be. And it worked out." As for his goals? They havent changed. When asked what would be a reasonable result in his first major of the year, Woods replied, "First. "Thats always the case." The back surgery forced him to miss the Masters for the first time, and then the U.S. Open. The last time Woods had this much time off with so little competition before a major was in 2010 when he returned from the chaos in his personal life.dddddddddddd He tied for fourth at the Masters. It might help that he at least has won at Royal Liverpool, even if the course has changed dramatically. Woods has changed, too. His victory eight years ago produced more raw emotion than ever for Woods. It was his first major since the death of his father, Earl, two months earlier. He sobbed on the shoulders of his caddie and then his wife. Woods now has a different caddie and he is divorced. "My life has certainly changed a lot since then," Woods said. "That was a very emotional week. As you all know, I pressed pretty hard at Augusta that year, trying to win it, because it was the last time my dad was ever going to see me play a major championship. And then I didnt play well at the (U.S.) Open -- missed the cut there miserably. And then came here and just felt at peace. I really, really played well. On Sunday, I really felt calm out there. "It was surreal at the time. Ive had a few moments like that in majors where Ive felt that way on a Sunday. And that was certainly one of them." The others were at the 1997 Masters, which he won by 12 shots; the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, which he won by 15 shots; and 2000 British Open at St. Andrews, which he won by eight shots to complete the career Grand Slam. Woods has won the career slam twice more since then, running his total to 14 majors by winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008 despite not having played in two months because of torn ligaments in his left knee and a double stress fracture in his left leg. He said that victory, with the odds against him, should be a reminder not to count him out. And hes not ruling out his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus and his 18 majors. Woods, who is 38, was asked if he would play well into his 40s and even his early 50s if it meant a chance to break the Nicklaus benchmark. "Hopefully, I have it done by then. But Im really looking forward to that cart," he said, referring to Champions Tour players being allowed to ride in a cart. ' ' '