Canes buy out Kaberle's contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the remaining year on the contract of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle.

Kaberle, 35, was due to make $2.2 million this coming season. With the buyout, he will collect two-thirds, or about $1.5 million, of that amount over the next two seasons.

"We wanted to change the makeup of our defense, make our defense bigger," said Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford, who notably brought back defenseman Aaron Ward in a trade with the Boston Bruins and picked up Andrew Alberts in free agency.

Rutherford said Kaberle became expendable after the Hurricanes traded for Joe Corvo in February 2008, which "covered up the strengths of [Frank's] game."

Kaberle, 35, scored nine goals and earned 73 assists (82 points) in 214 regular-season games with the Hurricanes from 2005-06 to 2008-09. He scored the game-winning goal of Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

"He was always a good player for us, but the winning goal he scored will always be remembered," said Rutherford. "I respect all of the players that helped us win the Stanley Cup. But there's a special respect for Frank."

Kaberle didn't want to have the same role he had last season, when he was in and out of the lineup.

"This was a move that was mutual and works for both sides," said Rutherford, who thought Kaberle might end up playing in his native Czech Republic and be with his wife and two young daughters.

Per the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Hurricanes had a 48-hour window to buy out Kaberle that began three days after their last arbitration settlement or award. In that case, it was triggered last Thursday, when the Hurricanes signed forward Tuomo Ruutu to a three-year $11.4 million deal, heading off an arbitration hearing that was set for this Thursday.

Rutherford said the move was part of the plan that allowed the team to acquire Ward and Alberts, and it doesn't allow for the team to make another big move, though Rutherford said the team is still bargain shopping for another forward.

Does that mean Patrick Eaves could be back at a reduced rate? The Canes traded Eaves and a fourth round pick for Ward to Boston, who immediately placed Eaves on waivers in last Friday's trade.

"We haven't discussed that," said Rutherford. "We do have another spot open at forward which we could keep open into training camp. We're looking for a special deal on a player that was looking for more money, but at this point in free agency, is not going to get it.

"We have a short list of players, but Patrick is not on it. ... But we still like Patrick."