Hurricanes GM: Williams 'still debating' future

Justin Williams continues to mull over his NHL future.

The Carolina Hurricanes captain is an unrestricted free agent and hasn't decided whether he'll return a 19th season.

"(Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon) and I have both talked to Justin and the feeling is that he's still debating it, I'm not sure which way," general manager Don Waddell told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "If you asked me, I said a while back I thought he would probably be playing, but we're still in contact with Justin and he's trying to make a decision that's best for him and his family."

Williams will turn 38 years old on Oct. 4. He hinted in May that he'd like to remain in Carolina if he does play another season.

"I've set up shop here and I'm very comfortable here," he said. "I'm not quite sure where anything else would go."

Williams may have to return to the Hurricanes on somewhat of a hometown discount, though. The club has less than $2.5 million in projected space, according to CapFriendly, and Williams' last contract carried a $4.5-million cap hit.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion remained productive last year, as he tallied 53 points in 82 games and added seven more points in 15 playoff tilts during Carolina's run to the Eastern Conference Final.