Carolina Hurricanes Trade Rumors

Hurricanes Forum Top 3
Rutherford working on Ruutu extension
February 10
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday he has met with forward Tuomo Ruutu to discuss Ruutu's future with the team, and said a decision should be reached next week. Rutherford said Ruutu, due to become an unrestricted free agent after the season ends, expressed a desire to stay with the team and in Raleigh. "These meetings are to see where the player is at, what they think of the team, whether he likes being in the organization, those things," Rutherford said by phone from Denver, Colo. "Tuomo is a player we really like, and he said he likes being with the team. That's an important first step and we had a good meeting."
Reality check: Tuomo Ruutu and the Maple Leafs trade rumour of the day
February 8
Toronto Star
 
"Like most teams, the Maple Leafs could use a big, gritty forward, who can score. Tuomo Ruutu fits that peg nicely. With the Feb. 27 trade deadline fast approaching, the 28-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger continues to be mentioned as a player, who could soon be on the move. In recent weeks, various Internet reports have the Leafs among the teams kicking the tires on the 6-foot, 205-pound physical centre/forward, who leads the Canes in goals with 16 this season."
Could Justin Faulk be next for the Calder?
February 7
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes won the Calder Trophy last year as the NHL's best rookie. Could Justin Faulk be next? The odds are against it. Faulk, 19, is a defenseman, and only two defensive players - Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres (2010) and Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues (2003) - have claimed the trophy since 1997."
Devils swing 'big' deal
January 21
New York Post
 
"This deal should be a steal of a rental for the Devils. Last night, they acquired 6-foot-4 winger Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Hurricanes for Albany defenseman Joe Sova and a 2012 fourth-round pick. "He's got hockey sense. He knows how to play the game," general manager Lou Lamoriello said, marveling at his fortune. "And he's 6-4. "This player is going to help our team." Lamoriello said there is a chance Ponikarovsky could be in the Devils' lineup this afternoon when the Flyers visit the Prudential Center. The 31-year-old played for Carolina in Raleigh last night. Ponikarovsky is eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1, and is earning $1.5 million this season. He has had four 20-goal"
Canes deal Ponikarovsky, get draft pick
January 21
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The NHL trade deadline is still a month away, but the Carolina Hurricanes picked up a draft pick and cleared one of their expiring contracts off the books Friday night. After a 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals, the Canes traded forward Alexei Ponikarovsky to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 and minor-league defenseman Joe Sova. Sova, 23, has split time between the AHL and ECHL this season. The Devils signed the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Illinois native as a free agent in 2011 after three years at Alaska-Fairbanks. The Canes signed Ponikarovsky to a one-year, $1.5 million contract over the summer. He had seven goals and eight assists in 49 games for the Hurricanes."
Gleason likely to be on radar at deadline
January 15
Boston Globe
 
"With his previous employer, Joe Corvo was often deployed in a shutdown role, matched against opposing top lines. The Bruins' puck-moving defenseman acknowledges it wasn't his favorite calling. "I don't really like that,'' said the former Carolina Hurricane. "The fun part of the game for me is the offensive part, to be in the offensive zone. When you're playing shutdown, you're spending a lot of time in the neutral zone or your own zone. It wasn't my favorite thing to do.'' Corvo's skills weren't the primary reason ex-coach Paul Maurice used him in a matchup role. It was because of the game of Tim Gleason, Corvo's former partner."
Canes' Skinner nearing return
January 12
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes have been without Jeff Skinner for 14 games. They have missed Skinner's goals, his offensive creativity. They've missed him on the power play, missed having him in crunch situations in games. The Hurricanes would like to get Skinner back for tonight's game against Tampa Bay, but his first game back is more likely to come after a few more contact practices, possibly Sunday on the road against the Washington Capitals. Skinner, sidelined more than a month with a concussion, has been given medical clearance for contact and was no longer wearing the yellow, no-contact jersey Wednesday at practice."
Staal deals with trade rumours, losing
December 29
Toronto Sun
 
"When Eric Staal steps onto the ice against the Maple Leafs at the RBC Center on Thursday, hordes of television viewers back in Canada will dream of what the gifted centre would look like in blue and white. They aren't alone. When rumblings out of Toronto prior to Christmas suggested a Staal-to-the-Leafs trade was in the works, the Carolina captain was besieged with inquires from friends and family from north of the border. They called. They e-mailed. They texted. All wanted to know the same thing. Were the reports true? Was he, in fact, the big centre the Leafs have so badly thirsted for ever since Mats Sundin left town? Standing in the Hurricanes' locker room on Wednesday, Staal chuckled"
Canes deal Kaberle to Montreal
December 10
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes have traded defenseman Tomas Kaberle, and general manager Jim Rutherford said he made a mistake in signing him. The Canes on Friday sent Kaberle to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. The move came about five months after Kaberle became Carolina's biggest offseason addition, accepting a three-year, $12.75 million free-agent contract. Kaberle, a longtime fixture in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup and a former NHL All-Star, was traded by the Leafs to the Boston Bruins last season and was a part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship run. Rutherford signed him in hopes of improving the Canes' struggling power play and to add a veteran presence to the"
Report: Kaberle dealt to Montreal for Spacek
December 9
NHL.com
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly traded defenseman Tomas Kaberle to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said last week that he was not happy with Kaberle's play and if he continued down his current path he wouldn't be with the club for much longer. Rutherford found a partner in Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier, who has acquired a player in Kaberle that has no goals, 9 assists and a minus-12 rating in 29 games."
New coach, different direction for Canes
November 29
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"At this point, the best thing that can be said about the Second Mo Dynasty is that it's over. The Carolina Hurricanes hadn't clicked under Paul Maurice for two full seasons and they were working on a third by the time he was finally fired Monday. If the Hurricanes had held him responsible for last spring's collapse and hired Kirk Muller this summer, when Muller interviewed for head-coaching openings elsewhere, maybe they wouldn't be in this fix now. Maurice did an excellent job fine-tuning the team that Peter Laviolette left him in December 2008, and a surprisingly good job of making adjustments on the fly in the 2009 playoffs. But given the chance to retool the team on his terms, it was"
Canes' Maurice not in early-season trouble
November 8
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"It was natural to wonder how the Carolina Hurricanes would react Monday after two ugly losses at home. The St. Louis Blues fired coach Davis Payne on Sunday just 13 games into the season, hiring Ken Hitchcock. Would the Canes, at 5-6-3, consider such a move? Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford is not one to make hasty decisions or overreact. Even in a copycat league like the NHL, Rutherford is not influenced by what other teams elect to do."
Hurricanes recall forward Dalpe
November 8
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Jim Rutherford, president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced the team recalled forward Zac Dalpe from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Forward Drayson Bowman was reassigned to Charlotte. Dalpe, 22, was assigned to Charlotte on Wednesday and played in two games during the weekend for the Checkers. The Paris, Ont., native was assigned to Charlotte after he missed seven Hurricanes games recovering from a lower-body injury sustained Oct. 14 at Buffalo. Dalpe (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) has played in five NHL games this season without registering a point. Carolina drafted him in the second round, 45th overall, in 2008."
Rutherford: Changes need to be made
November 8
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that changes needed to be made to "strengthen our team" but said a coaching staff shakeup was not one of them. The Canes are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals and a 5-2 beating by the Dallas Stars, both at home at the RBC Center. They had a horrendous third period against the Caps and appeared listless coming out against the Stars on Sunday in falling to 5-6-3. "After losses like that, we don't like to talk about them too soon because it's too emotional," Rutherford said. "Obviously we're very disappointed in the last two games. We will get together over the course of the day and discuss what we need to do to get back on track"
Hurricanes add 10 new partners, nine based in N.C.
November 4
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"For months, Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. has promised the team would secure locally based investors willing to buy into the team and be a part of its future. On Thursday, Karmanos announced there is a group of 10 new partners in the ownership of the team. Nine of the team's 10 investors are based in North Carolina, including Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford."
Canes, Jokinen get good news
November 4
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"It appears injured Carolina Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen will be able to return a lot sooner than expected. As Canes coach Paul Maurice said Thursday, "We dodged a bullet." Jokinen, the Hurricanes' second-leading scorer, was injured in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the RBC Center. Early in the third period, Jokinen fell backward over the Lightning's Ryan Shannon, twisting his left leg under Shannon's body."
Canes' Jokinen to miss 3 to 4 weeks
November 3
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes will be without forward Jussi Jokinen for at least three to four weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday. Jokinen, the team's second-leading scorer, suffered an injury to his left leg early in the third period of Tuesday night 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the RBC Center. During a faceoff in the Carolina zone, Lightning forward Ryan Shannon was knocked off-balance and tumbled into the back of Jokinen's legs, causing Jokinen to fall awkwardly and twist the left leg. "It didn't look good and it isn't good," Rutherford said of the injury."
Canes' Staal takes stick to face, still won't wear visor
November 1
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"When Eric Staal took a stick in the face Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Carolina Hurricanes captain suffered a chipped tooth and a cut on the bridge of his nose. The blade came close to hitting him in his right eye. Staal's near-miss again underscored an undeniable fact: playing hockey without a helmet visor often is risky business. Visors are not mandatory in the NHL, and Staal said he will not wear one. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, in contrast, said he could not imagine playing without one."
Canes recall Brett Sutter from Checkers
October 17
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Canes have recalled forward Brett Sutter from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an emergency basis. Forward Zac Dalpe suffered a lower body injury during Friday's game in Buffalo and his status is listed as week-to-week."
Canes send 12 players to Checkers
September 30
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Charlotte Checkers' training camp received a major influx of players Thursday. The Carolina Hurricanes assigned 12 players to their American Hockey League affiliate. Sent to the Checkers were forwards Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk, Jerome Samson, Chris Terry, Jon Matsumoto, Brett Sutter and Chris Durno; defensemen Justin Krueger, Bobby Sanguinetti and Mathieu Roy; and goalies Justin Peters and Mike Murphy. Terry was the Checkers' leading goal-scorer with 34 last season. Boychuk led the Checkers with 43 assists and 65 points in 60 games, and Samson had 26 goals and 54 points in 53 AHL games."
Roster cut to 24; Boychuk, Bowman go down
September 30
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Canes assigned 12 players Thursday to the Charlotte Checkers, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. The Hurricanes' training-camp roster now stands at 24 players. Sent to Charlotte were forwards Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk, Jerome Samson, Chris Durno, Jon Matsumoto, Brett Sutter and Chris Terry; defensemen Justin Krueger, Bobby Sanguinetti and Mathieu Roy; and goalies Justin Peters and Mike Murphy. Among those still in camp are center Riley Nash, and defensemen Ryan Murphy and Justin Faulk. Zac Dalpe and Jiri Tlusty appeared to have won open roster spots among the top 12 forwards. Canes coach Paul Maurice noted Tlusty, who had offseason shoulder surgery, has played "at a man's"
Pressure builds as Hurricanes set roster
September 28
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Zac Dalpe was wearing a red jersey Tuesday and was the right winger on a line with Eric Staal and Alexei Ponikarovsky at the Carolina Hurricanes' practice. Dalpe, 21, appears to have claimed a roster spot with the Canes, although neither Dalpe or Canes coach Paul Maurice will say that - yet. But Dalpe's spot, on the top line, says a lot. It also leaves some other young forwards anxious, especially with roster cuts to be made this week."
Canes add depth with defenseman
September 15
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes, looking to add defensive depth before training camp begins, signed defenseman Mathieu Roy to a one-year contract Wednesday. The deal will pay Roy $600,000 on the NHL level or $125,000 on the American Hockey League level, with a guarantee of at least $150,000. Roy, 28, split last season between the NHL and AHL, playing four games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played 45 games in the AHL with Norfolk, finishing with four goals and 18 assists (22 points) and a plus-9 rating. He also played in six Calder Cup playoff games for the Admirals, earning one assist. Quantcast Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL entry draft, Roy has"
Report: Stillman to retire, join Florida front office
September 8
NHL.com
 
"Forward Cory Stillman, one of the few NHL players to win consecutive Stanley Cups with different teams, reportedly will announce his retirement Thursday at a news conference in Florida. The Peterborough (Ontario) Examiner also reports that Stillman will be introduced as a member of the Panthers' player development staff. He will monitor and work with Florida's junior and minor-league prospects. Stillman scored 278 goals and added 449 assists in 1,025 games during 16 NHL seasons with Calgary, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Florida -- he was traded from the Panthers back to Carolina in February and had 17 points in 21 games. He was a member of the Lightning's 2004 Cup winners after his"
Canes' Staal has healed physically, mentally from last season's sting
August 30
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"It took Eric Staal longer than usual to recover from last season. The Carolina Hurricanes captain played through a painful groin injury down the stretch. That needed time to heal. There also was that big blow to Staal's psyche -- a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final game of the regular season. Getting that out of his system took time, too. Win that last game, at home, and the Canes would have been in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead, it led to another long offseason of wondering what might have been. "Obviously, it was a tough finish," Staal said Monday after an informal workout at Raleigh Center Ice. "You need to keep a little of that bitter taste, but also need to refresh"
Canes hopeful Rask will play in N. America
August 19
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Victor Rask may be leaving Sweden this year, after all. Rask, the Canes' second-round pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft, was noncommital about his plans last month when he was in Raleigh for Carolina's rookie conditioning camp. There were indications the center might stay home in Leksand, Sweden, for another season. But Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today he was hopeful Rask would play in North America this season -- either with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), Checkers (AHL) or possibly even the Canes if Rask has strong enough showings in the Traverse City (Mich) rookie tournament and then Carolina's preseason training camp."
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Canes add depth at forward in Durno
July 15
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Canes have signed forward Chris Durno to a one-year, two-way contract. The veteran served as captain of the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL last season. The deal will pay Durno $525,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the AHL level, with a guarantee of at least $140,000 for the season. Ron Francis, director of hockey operations, noted Durno is a "big, strong guy that will provide more depth up front. He has good hands and will bring leadership and veteran experience to our organization.""
Brett Sutter fined for November incident
July 12
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Forward Brett Sutter, traded to the Hurricanes last season from the Calgary Flames, pleaded guilty Monday to disordered conduct stemming from a November incident outside a Scottsdale, Ariz., nightspot. Sutter, who played most of this past season for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, appeared in Scottsdale City Court, according to the Calgary Herald. He was fined $323.60 for the Nov. 11 incident, in which Sutter punched a cab driver. Sutter must return to the court Sept. 15 for a restitution hearing. Canes general manager Jim Rutherford, reached Monday night, said he was not aware Sutter was to appear in court Monday."
Bellemore signs two-year contract with 'Canes
July 9
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Canes announced today they have signed defenseman Brett Bellemore to a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Bellemore $525,000 per season at the NHL level, or $70,000 per season at the minor-league level. Bellemore, 23, played in 71 regular-season games with the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers in 2010-11, scoring two goals and earning eight assists (10 points). His plus-8 plus/minus rating, as well as and his 74 penalty minutes, ranked him second among Checkers defensemen who played in more than half of the team's games."
Bruins acquire Joe Corvo from Carolina
July 6
Boston Globe
 
"The Bruins have landed defenseman Joe Corvo from Carolina for a 2012 fourth-round pick. Corvo, 34, is the puck-moving power-play specialist the Bruins needed once Tomas Kaberle signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with the Hurricanes. "He's someone we've talked about over the last little bit as we've progressed on some of these free agent signings," said GM Peter Chiarelli. "When you go past the free agency date in the first couple days, you look to possible trades if you're not satisfied with what you've accomplished in free agency. Joe became available as a result - not directly a result - when we did not reach terms with Tomas Kaberle. We felt very strongly about Joe as a"
Tomas Kaberle signs three-year deal with Hurricanes
July 6
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes caused a few small ripples in the NHL with their free-agent signings late last week. The ripple was much bigger Tuesday. The Hurricanes, outbid for power forward Erik Cole by the Montreal Canadiens, signed defenseman Tomas Kaberle to a three-year deal that will pay the four-time All-Star $4.25 million per season. To help make room for Kaberle's $12.75 million contract, the Hurricanes traded defenseman Joe Corvo to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. "Tomas is a player we have liked for a long, long time," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday. "He's one of the best puck-moving defensemen and power-play"
Canadiens sign Cole to four-year $18 million contract
July 1
TSN.ca
 
"The Montreal Canadiens have signed Erik Cole to a four-year contract worth $18 million. Cole has spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team that drafted him in the third round, 71st overall of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot-two winger originally played for the Hurricanes from 2001-2008 before being dealt to the Edmonton Oilers where he spent less than one season before being shipped back to Carolina. Cole had his best season offensive season with 61 points in the 2006-2007 season. He was also a member of the Hurricanes' 2005-2006 Stanley Cup winning team, a season where he scored a career-high 30 goals."
Boucher to Carolina
July 1
CSN Philly
 
"Brian Boucher, who had completed his third stint with the Flyers this season, won't be back for 2011-12. Boucher has signed a two-year, $1.9 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes."
Hurricanes sign free agent Brent to two-year contract
July 1
TSN.ca
 
"Free agent centre Tim Brent has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. It's a 2 year deal, worth $1.5 million. Playing in a career-high 79 games last season, Brent posted eight goals and 12 assists for the Leafs, primarily playing on the third line. A third round pick of the Ducks in 2004, the 27-year-old will be entering his fifth season."
Canes agree to new deal with Jokinen
June 30
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the team has agreed to a three-year deal with forward Jussi Jokinen worth $3 million per season. "Jussi is a player who fit in with our team from day one," said Canes general manager Jim Rutherford in a statement. Jokinen, 28, was fourth in scoring for the Canes last season with 52 points in 70 games. Jokinen, of Kalajoki, Finland, was third on the team in assists with 33 and second in power-play goals with eight."
Larose agrees to two-year, $3.4 million deal with Hurricanes
June 29
TSN.ca
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes and Chad Larose have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $3.4 million. Larose will earn $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in 2012-13. His annual cap hit will be $1.7 million."
Pitkanen re-signs with Canes for three years
June 29
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Joni Pitkanen won't be leaving the Carolina Hurricanes. General manager Jim Rutherford announced Tuesday that the NHL team had signed the smooth-skating defenseman to a three-year contract worth $4.5 million a season. The Hurricanes also reached an agreement Tuesday with versatile forward Patrick Dwyer, who was signed to a two-year deal. But Rutherford, while pleased to keep Pitkanen and Dwyer in the Canes' fold, said he now is becoming pessimistic about re-signing forwards Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose. The three veterans will become unrestricted free agents Friday if not signed, and Rutherford said it appears the financial gap may be too wide in each case. "I'm very, very"
Canes hope to sign free agents soon
June 28
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Carolina Hurricanes forwards Jiri Tlusty and Troy Bodie will be unrestricted free agents on Friday. According to Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford, they may not be the only ones. Tlusty and Bodie, both restricted free agents, were not given qualifying offers on Monday, Rutherford said. By doing that, the team avoided potential contract arbitration with either player, although Rutherford said the Canes may look to re-sign them when NHL free agency begins July 1. "It's just part of the process you go through with some players," Rutherford said. "There are a couple of players every year that you go about signing where the process is different. We do risk losing them, but we will talk to"
Canes hope to keep Pitkanen, Jokinen
June 27
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes front office shifts its focus from future stars to proven stars this week. Coming off Saturday's NHL draft, general manager Jim Rutherford will work on re-signing a handful of players who become unrestricted free agents Wednesday. In recent weeks, it appeared unlikely that defenseman Joni Pitkanen or forward Jussi Jokinen would agree to terms. But Rutherford met with the players' agents during the past week."
Hurricanes get defensive with Murphy
June 25
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"A year ago, the Carolina Hurricanes used their first-round draft pick on a Kitchener Rangers forward who was lacking size but had serious offensive skills. Jeff Skinner turned out quite well for the Canes. The Hurricanes may not have drafted another Skinner this year - Skinner did score 31 goals and win the Calder Trophy - but they did take another undersized player from Kitchener with a nice scoring touch. With the 12th overall selection of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Friday, Carolina picked Rangers defenseman Ryan Murphy. Many draft analysts believed Murphy would go among the first 10 picks. The 5-foot-10, 166-pound native of Aurora, Ontario, was rated ninth among North American skaters"
Don't expect another Skinner
June 24
Raleigh News & Observer
 columnist Luke DeCock
"Less than a year after he was drafted, Jeff Skinner took the stage in Las Vegas on Wednesday to accept the Calder Trophy. With that triumph so fresh, it's going to be hard for Carolina Hurricanes fans not to get excited about tonight's NHL draft. After all, the Hurricanes plucked a 30-goal scorer straight out of the draft pool last year with the seventh overall pick. Why not grab another immediate contributor with the 12th pick of the first round tonight? Because it just doesn't happen very often, that's why. It's fine to be exuberant about the immediate and instant impact Skinner had on the NHL roster. It's better to be aware that Skinner's quick transition was a fluke, an accident, a"
Canes look for the best
June 24
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"There probably was no better or more accurate way for Jim Rutherford to size up the Carolina Hurricanes' drafting of Jeff Skinner last year. "It was a big home run for us," Rutherford, the Canes' general manager, said this week. The seventh overall pick of the 2010 NHL draft, Skinner made the Hurricanes' roster as an 18-year-old, scored 31 goals, created something of a frenzy among Triangle hockey fans, and on Wednesday was named the Calder Trophy winner as the league's rookie of the year. The question now is, can the Hurricanes go deep back-to-back? The 2011 draft begins tonight (7, Versus) at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., and Carolina has the 12th overall selection in the first"
Canes' Francis returns to the eye of the storm
June 14
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"Ron Francis never had designs on being a head coach, for the Carolina Hurricanes or any other NHL team. When Francis was asked to become associate head coach of the Canes in December 2008, he readily agreed and went behind the bench. For most of the past three seasons, he assisted head coach Paul Maurice while also continuing to work as the team's director of player personnel. But the plan, Francis said in an interview last week, was always to return to the Hurricanes' front office. That was never in doubt, and that's what he will now do as director of hockey operations. It's a new title for Francis, but it carries many of the same duties he had before as assistant general manager. "If you"
Canes' Brind'Amour expected to join coaching staff
June 7
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to announce soon that former captain Rod Brind'Amour will join the coaching staff for next season. The Hurricanes have called a news conference for today to discuss "restructuring of the team's hockey department." Brind'Amour, who led the Canes to the 2006 Stanley Cup, retired after the 2009-2010 season. He served last season as the team's director of forwards development, working with younger players within the organization. General manager Jim Rutherford has talked several times with Brind'Amour about taking a coaching position since the past season ended. After three years as associate head coach under head coach Paul Maurice, Ron Francis is"
Hurricanes sign European prospects
June 2
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The Carolina Hurricanes signed European prospects Tommi Kivisto and Mattias Lindstrom to three-year entry-level deals Wednesday. The deadline for signing 2009 draft picks not playing college hockey was 5 p.m. Wednesday. Kivisto, a defenseman taken in the seventh round of the 2009 draft, has a clause in his contract allowing him to remain with Jokerit of the Finnish league this season before coming over to North America in 2012-13. He played one season in the WHL for Red Deer before turning pro in his native Finland. Lindstrom, a forward taken in the third round of that draft, will attend Carolina's prospect conditioning camp and rookie camp. He has a similar clause in his contract allowing"
Canes' Osala says he's set for KHL
May 26
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"There's one Carolina Hurricanes prospect who definitely won't be playing in the NHL next season. Oskar Osala, a power forward who played this past season for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, confirmed Wednesday via Twitter that he would be playing for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL in Russia next season. The 6-4, 225-pounder had 13 goals and 42 points in 59 games for the Checkers this season while piling up 139 penalty minutes. "I'm excited to move on but hope to be back one day," Osala tweeted. Canes general manager Jim Rutherford isn't convinced that will happen. Last week, he was discussing Osala and the persistent rumor he was headed to the KHL and said, "If he wants to play in"
Canes looking ahead
May 18
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"General manager Jim Rutherford talked a lot Tuesday about the Carolina Hurricanes being a team in transition last season. And next season? More transition. To wit: Paul Maurice will remain the coach, but Ron Francis no longer will be behind the bench as associate head coach. Rutherford confirmed the Hockey Hall of Fame member will return to his old job as assistant general manager and director of player personnel. The Hurricanes likely will re-sign veteran forwards Erik Cole and Chad LaRose but may lose defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Jussi Jokinen. The four players are due to become unrestricted free agents July 1, and Rutherford called Cole a top priority. Pitkanen and Jokinen"
Maurice expected to remain with Canes
May 17
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"While no official announcement has been made, the Carolina Hurricanes are expected to retain Paul Maurice as head coach next season. At the same time, associate head coach Ron Francis is expected to give up his coaching position and return to a full-time front-office job with the organization. The Hurricanes' director of player personnel, Francis served as assistant general manager before going behind the bench in December 2008 when Maurice replaced Peter Laviolette as coach. Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford will address the media today at 11 a.m. The news conference will mark the first time he has publicly discussed the team since the Canes ended the season April 9"