ATLANTA — Although no official confirmation has been made, it's expected the Carolina Hurricanes will have their American Hockey League affiliate in Charlotte next season.

The Canes have been affiliated with the Albany (N.Y.) River Rats for the last four years but are in the last year of that arrangement. Hurricanes management in the past has expressed a desire to have an AHL team closer to Raleigh and in North Carolina, if possible.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that he would neither confirm nor deny that the move to Charlotte will be made.

Rats owner Walter Rabb has said he would be willing to sell the AHL team but only if the franchise remained in Albany. But it appears the franchise will be sold and moved to Charlotte.