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Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Justin Faulk says the issue hasn’t become a hot topic in the his team’s room, either, but adds everyone is open to discussion if it does.

“It’s hard to say it doesn’t come up because you flip on any channel or pick up any newspaper right now and it’s in the headlines, guys are talking about it,” said the Minnesota product, adding peaceful protests are a long-standing and important part of American democracy.

“Guys have that right. That’s the way the rules are written. You’re allowed to express your opinions. Everyone has a platform. Football players are using their platform to voice their opinion and guys have that right. Some people agree with it and some don’t, and that’s all part of it, too.”

Photo by Ian Kucerak / Postmedia

Faulk says people who protest and people who argue against it shouldn’t be split into two groups. Instead, they should listen to each other and see if there are any compromises and solutions that would make everyone feel better.

“They’re all fighting for the same thing,” he said. “To be unified as a country and to get everyone on board together. It’s tough to see so much division within the country. You just hope for better days so we can move forward and come together.”

‘Canes coach Bill Peters says it’s been a tough time in the southern U.S., with storms and floods doing billions of dollars worth of damage and leaving thousands of people homeless, so an undercurrent of racial tension doesn’t help. But to suggest anyone who kneels during an anthem has no respect for the flag is wrong.

“I understand both sides,” he said. “I don’t think anyone is truly trying to disrespect the flag, to be honest with you. I think people have too much pride in what’s going on in their countries and they want to make it better and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @Rob_Tychkowski