Tons of Canes Updates

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Starting from date June 8th down to May 18th

Ray Whitney is unlikely to re-sign with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Carolina wants to enter the 2010-11 season with a payroll around $44 million, which will make it very difficult to sign Whitney before he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. "I think it will be difficult [to reach an agreement] with where he's at, contract-wise," GM Jim Rutherford said. "It appears that's the way it will go." If Whitney becomes a free agent, the Hurricanes aren't expected to pursue him further. Carolina doesn't plan to make a splash in the upcoming market.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

There is a very real possibility that Brian Pothier has played his last game as a Hurricane.

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford suggested that his blueline for the 2010-11 campaign could be comprised of Tim Gleason, Joni Pitkanan, Anton Babchuk (if he signs and the two sides seem close), Jamie McBain, Jay Harrison, Alexandre Picard and Brett Carson. That would leave little room for the 33-year-old Pothier, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st after earning $2.5 million last season. We are sure the veteran rearguard will find a job, but we suspect it will be for considerably less than $2.5 million per season and it won't be in Raleigh.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Anton Babchuk is in Carolina to talk contract with the team.

Babchuk played for Avangard Omsk in Russia last season. Babchuk cannot be signed officially until July 1, but a deal is expected to be in place beforehand. Babchuk has great offensive potential for a defenseman - he had 16 goals from the blueline with the Hurricanes two seasons ago. Keep his name in mind as a sleeper pick on draft day.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Hurricanes' general manager Jim Rutherford said that the team has not made a decision yet on the future of winger Sergei Samsonov.

He has one year left on his contract that will make him $2.8 million next season, but the Canes may decide to trade him or even buy him out. Samsonov recorded 14 goals and 29 points in 72 games this past campaign. We'll let you know if anything comes of this.

Source: Canes Now

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford has continued to talk with defenseman Anton Babchuk.

"It was a very productive meeting," Rutherford said. "We can't sign him until July 1 because he played in Europe last year, but I'm very comfortable we will sign him at that point." Babchuk is currently back in Raleigh after playing last season with Avangard Omsk (KHL) in Russia. It looks like he will be back on the Hurricanes' blueline next year, but we'll keep you posted.

Source: Canes Now

Rod Brind'Amour wants to play in 2010-11.

Brind'Amour considered retiring, but he would like to play out the final year of his five-year/$18 million contract. However, after finishing the 2009-10 season with 19 points and a minus-29 plus/minus rating in 80 games, Brind'Amour recognizes that his desire to stay in the NHL might not be enough. "If we crank it up in June, July, August, if I get to that point and say I can't do it, then it's a different story," Brind'Amour said. "There's a whole different thought process that would come into play. Until I get in that situation, I'm preparing to play." There's also a chance that the Hurricanes might buy out the final season of his contract. Brind'Amour wants to play for Carolina, but he's willing to sign elsewhere if it comes to that. Stay tuned.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

The Carolina Hurricanes and Jiri Tlusty have agreed to a one-year/$500,000 contract extension.

Tlusty scored one goal and six points in 20 games between the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs this season. The contract is one-way, so if Carolina wants to send him down to the minors, he'll have to pass through waivers first. Tlusty could still end up developing into a top-six forward, but he's not expected to have much fantasy value next season.

Source: TSN.ca

Jay Harrison has inked a one-year/$500,000 extension with the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We really like Jay’s all-around game, and especially the level of toughness he brings to our team," said GM Jim Rutherford. "He is a character guy, as he proved by playing through an injury most of last season." Harrison had six points and 50 penalty minutes in 38 games this season.

Source: Hurricanes.nhl.com

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Matt Kennedy to a three-year contract.

Kennedy will earn $500,000 this season and $525,000 the following two years if he makes the NHL and $50,000, $55,000 and $60,000 respectively if he plays in the minors. Kennedy was a fifth round pick of the Hurricanes last season and also will get a $150,000 signing bonus. He managed 18 goals and 34 points in 43 games split between Guelph and Barrie after a 33 goal, 73 point season last year. He redeemed himself in the playoffs, garnering nine goals and 15 points in 17 games. He will start the season in the minors next year.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is looking to sell 49% of the franchise to a local investor.

Karmanos Jr. insists that he is not looking to sell the team, but he does want to seek out a minority investor. Thomas Thewes owned a 49% share of the Hurricanes until he passed away in 2008. "My partner died a couple of years ago, and I want someone to replace him," Karmanos said. "I have a responsibility to my partner and friend to get someone to buy his share for estate purposes."

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Look for Carolina to select a defenseman with their first round pick (7th overall) in the upcoming June entry draft.

They probably won't be able to snag the Spitfires' Cam Fowler (Windsor), who is projected to go third overall, but they do have a legimate chance to grab either the Frontenacs' Erik Gudbranson (Kingston) or the Wildcats' Brandon Gormley (Moncton). Either one of these prospects will eventually look good alongside emerging star Jamie McBain on the Canes' blueline.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Hurricanes' general manager Jim Rutherford is confident that Anton Babchuk will be back in the NHL next season.

Rutherford held several talks with Babchuk's agent the past two weeks and said, "We want to sign him and bring him back. We are moving along in the process." Babchuk played last season in the KHL with Omsk Avangard where he collected 22 points and 36 penalty minutes in 49 games.

Source: Canes Now

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford wants to re-sign veteran winger Ray Whitney.

"He'd like to stay and in our initial (one-on-one) meeting we came to the conclusion we'd like him to stay," Rutherford said. "We are trying to make the team younger and at some point he does want to win again. But at the end of the meeting he made it clear that ideally he'd like to stay. Now we have to get down to how the contract fits." Whitney will hit free agency this summer if a new deal cannot be reached.

Source: Canes Now

GO CANES!!!

[cbarrier90]

Unless I missed it somewhere else on the board, Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchased the Albany River Rats (AHL) and is moving the franchise to Charlotte, making the "new" Checkers the AHL affiliate of the Canes.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Unless I missed it somewhere else on the board, Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchased the Albany River Rats (AHL) and is moving the franchise to Charlotte, making the "new" Checkers the AHL affiliate of the Canes.

Yep, your correct.

[KillerKat]

Unless I missed it somewhere else on the board, Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchased the Albany River Rats (AHL) and is moving the franchise to Charlotte, making the "new" Checkers the AHL affiliate of the Canes.

Thats sweet! Always thought the AHL teams should be in the same state as its NHL team. This could be huge for the Hurricanes to gain more popularity.