Canes fans know the situation with defenseman Frantisek Kaberle. He scored the goal that won the 2006 Stanley Cup. Shoulder problems have hampered him the last two seasons. His name continues to be bandied about in trade speculation.
Here's what Kaberle had to say about those three issues.
Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour underwent successful surgery on his left knee this morning to repair torn cartilage, but he is expected to be on the ice before the team's season opener.
"It was a little house-cleaning procedure," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "It was expected. We felt it was best to have it performed now instead of, say, the start of the season.
"He'll be out a few weeks and will miss most of training camp. But we don't have any concerns about Roddy. He's always working out and he has been skating hard, and he'll be ready opening night."
The Canes open the regular season Oct. 10.
Brind'Amour, 38, missed the final 22 games of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, requiring reconstructive surgery.
Brind'Amour participated in the Friesen 5K Fun Run on Sunday.
A snag over the wording of Eric Staal's new seven-year contract extension has been resolved, Staal and Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said today.
Under the terms of the $57.75 million contract, which Staal signed ast week, a no-trade clause was to go into effect July 1, 2010, the date the Canes center is to become an unrestricted free agent. The NHL found issue with that date, Rutherford said. The contract was changed and will be sent back to the league office.
"It was just the wording of the clause," Rutherford said. "Eric must accrue so many games and be a certain age before the clause goes into effect."
The Canes have signed left wing Matt Murley to a one-year contract, the team announced today. The deal will pay Murley $500,000 on the NHL level or $100,000 on the AHL level, with a minimum guaranteed total salary of $125,000.
“Matt has had a lot of success in the American Hockey League and comes with NHL experience,” said Ron Francis, assistant GM and director of player personnel.
Forwards Matt Cullen and Tuomo Ruutu made their first appearances today at the informal workouts at the RecZone.
Cullen had been in Fargo, N.D., with his wife, who gave birth last week to the couple's second child.
Cullen, who missed 23 games last year, quickly dispelled any concerns about any lingering vision problems, saying, “I feel good. Everything feels good. I’ve been skating a lot this summer and haven’t had any issues. I’m looking forward to feeling good and playing at 100 percent.”
Others taking the RecZone ice for the first time today included defenseman Josef Melichar, who signed as a free agent in July, and forward Wade Brookbank.
The Hurricanes led the Southeast Division almost all of last season, but we know how that turned out: no division title, no playoffs.
But what about this season? The Washington Capitals have dynamic Alex Ovechkin and a good, strong cast. At Tampa Bay, new owner Oren Koules has been spending money like he produced The Dark Knight and Hancock.
Will the Canes win the division? Why or why not? The floor is open.
The Hurricanes' Rod Brind'Amour didn't finish first in the Pete Friesen 5K Fun Run today at the RBC Center, but the captain was "low Cane" and was one of 34 team members and staff who participated.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Eastern N.C. chapter, and more than 1,000 people turned out to be a part of it on a sunny, steamy day.
"I don't do any long-distance running but I wanted to do this," Brind'Amour said. "The more guys who support this, the bigger it will be and help increase awareness.
A few thoughts after another week observing at the RecZone:
Joni Pitkanen is listed at 6-3 and 215 pounds but looks bigger. The defenseman has broad shoulders and a big frame. He's a smooth skater and does move the puck well.
Questions about Rod Brind'Amour coming off the knee injury? Forget it. He's his old snorting self, barreling around the ice with that wide-eyed intensity and controlling the puck.
Canes forward Justin Williams has been skating hard and looking sharp in the informal workouts at the RecZone the past few weeks, saying there are no lingering effects from his nasty knee injury last season.
Williams, entering his fifth season with the Hurricanes, recently took time out to field a few questions about the upcoming year.
A large turnout is expected Sunday for the Friesen 5K Fun Run at the RBC Center, with several Canes players and staff members expected to participate.
The event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Eastern N.C. chapter, which serves patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma in 49 counties.
It should be an emotional day in that the event will honor Julia Rowe, the young fan who was an inspiration during the Canes' 2006 run to the Stanley Cup.
