The Canes have signed free-agent forward Dan LaCouture to a one-year contract.

The deal will pay LaCouture $475,000 on the NHL level or $50,000 on the American Hockey League evel, with a guarantee of at least $75,000 during the 2008-09 season.

Forward Scott Walker underwent successful surgery on his left hand today for a torn ligament in his left hand and is expected to be out six weeks.

Dr. Harrison Tuttle of Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic performed the surgery.

UPDATE: General manager Jim Rutherford said the injury
occurred last Sunday during Walker's altercation with Nate Guenin of the Philadelphia Flyers during an exhibition game. Guenin blindsided the Canes' Matt Cullen and Walker soon squared off against Guenin and landed several blows.

Twenty-eight players on the roster, 23 spots available. The Canes will make the final roster cuts this week and coach Peter Laviolette said there are some tough decisions to be made.

So which five players will go? And why?

UPDATE: With Scott Walker now out six weeks following hand surgery this morning, that's another position that needs to be filled.

The floor is open.

RALEIGH — Ray Whitney scored off a rebound of a Patrick Eaves shot at 7:19 of the third period, and Eric Staal added an empty-netter in the final seconds to give the
Hurricanes a 2-0 victory Sunday over Nashville.

Cam Ward notched a shutout in goal as the Canes finished their preseason schedule 3-3 after losing the first three exhibition games.

''It's a nice way to end the exhibition season, obviously,'' Ward said. ''It was nice to get in a full game and have things go well."

When the Hurricanes' training camp began, Jeff O'Neill and Dan LaCouture were both unsigned free-agent forwards who were out of the NHL last season and were invited to camp for a tryout.

O'Neill, a former Canes' star, got all the media attention, not that he sought it. LaCouture had more staying power.

O'Neill ended his comeback try a week ago. LaCouture, meanwhile, came into camp in terrific physical condition, having healed a right shoulder that had given him problems and required surgery in January.

"The biggest thing is they gave me an opportunity, which is all I asked," he said. "I wanted to make the most of it. You don't always get a chance like that.

Where's Tuomo Ruutu?

For much of the Hurricanes' training camp, that has been a big question among Canes fans. The answer: recovering from a groin pull, the forward said today.

But Ruutu was on the ice this morning for a workout, saying, "I felt pretty good." He will miss his sixth preseason game but appears close to being ready for Friday's season opener against Florida.

"It's been frustrating," he said. "I'd rather be out there than riding the bike."

Rod Brind'Amour has been medically cleared and will play -- albeit limited action -- in the Canes' final exhibition gameSunday against Nashville.

"He'll probably play just enough minutes to get a feel for the game," general manager Jim Rutherford said of the Canes' captain.

Brind'Amour had surgery Sept. 16 to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee. He has missed the Canes' first five preseason games and much of training camp.

If you're a hockey player, what better way to celebrate your 19th birthday than to sign an NHL contract.

That's what Zach Boychuk did Saturday, on his 19th. The Canes' first-round draft pick agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract that will pay the forward $787,500 at the NHL level or $65,000 a season at the minor-league level.

Boychuk received a $262,500 signing bonus as part of the contract.

"I've had some good presents in the past but I don't know if any can top this one," Boychuk said. "I'm excited."

The Canes reduced their roster to 28 today, assigning defenseman Bryan Rodney and forward Dwight Helminen to the Albany River Rats of the AHL.

It apparently was a tough decision on Rodney, who played well in the Canes' 4-2 win Thursday night in Nashville and has been sound and hard-working in training camp.

"He's smooth, he' s got a high threshold of patience, he didn't do anything wrong defensively and he looked good offensively," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said after practice today. "He left a very, very good impression on the organization."

Don't be surprised to see Rodney back in Raleigh this year if there's an injury or two.

Zach Boychuk, the Canes' first-round draft choice, said he is close to signing an entry-level contract with the team.

"Hopefully we can get something done in the next day or two," the forward said today.

General manager Jim Rutherford said the Canes had made a final contract offer to Boychuk, adding, "We think it's a good one."

Rutherford would not discuss the terms of the contract, but the pact is believed to match the one given to forward Brandon Sutter, the Canes' first-round draft pick in 2007.