Seidenberg unlikely to return

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Dennis Deidenberg unlikely to return

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, an unrestricted free agent, likely will not be signed to a new contract, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday.

"Based on my conversation with his agent, and where they think he's at, he's a long way out of our reach," Rutherford said.

Seidenberg is represented by J.P. Barry of CAA Sports in Calgary, Alberta. Neither could be reached Monday.

Seidenberg, 28, had career highs in games played (70), goals (5), assists (25) and points (30) this past season. He led the team and tied for 17th in the NHL in blocked shots with 160 and ranked third on the team in average ice time per game (22:19).

Seidenberg made $1.2 million last season.

At one point, in discussing the Canes' defensemen, Rutherford said, "With Seidenberg not coming back ..."

Told his comment sounded definitive on Seidenberg, Rutherford said, "It appears that way."

Rutherford said a healthy Frantisek Kaberle could be a replacement for Seidenberg. Kaberle, who has a $2.2 million salary, missed 25 games because of injuries and was a healthy scratch in 15 of the last 17 games of the regular season.

"He's a useful player, a no-maintenance player," Rutherford said. "If he has a good training camp, he should fit himself into the lineup."

There has been speculation Kaberle might play next season in Russia, but Rutherford said Kaberle, in his exit interview after the season, said he wants to stay with the Hurricanes.

THOUGHTS???

[carpanfan96]

Guess Seidenberg wanted too much money, probably wants in the 4 mil a year range.

[goodlay]

We're already weak on defensemen, I think he's worth keeping, he's a pretty good player.

[17+89=6]

Fine. Get him and his T-Blades out of here.

No but seriously, we need defense. Bad.

[carpanfan96]

Yes we do, if were getting rid of him. Then we need to work out something to get some Major defensive help on the team.