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Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle has cleared waivers and will remain with the Hurricanes.

"It's part of the business," Kaberle said after today's practice. "It happens.

"After the (foot) injury, I haven't played much. With one more year (remaining on his contract), probably nobody I know is going to take me."

The Hurricanes placed Kaberle, who has a $2.2 million salary, on waivers Monday. NHL teams had until noon today to claim him but there were no takers.

A broken bone in his right foot suffered against Oct. 28 against the Los Angeles Kings first sidelined Kaberle for 24 games. He returned, then had to sit out five more games because of recurring problems with the foot.

"Before the injury happened I felt great and I think I played good," Kaberle said. "It's bad luck."

Defenseman Niclas Wallin appeared to reaggravate an ankle injury that has kept him out of the lineup today and left the team practice at the RecZone. That makes Kaberle's availability more reassuring for Canes coach Paul Maurice.

A little relief that Kaberle cleared waivers?

"Yes sir," Maurice said with a smile.

Maurice did not think Wallin reinjured the ankle, just suffered a "tweak," saying defenseman Tim Gleason went through mcuh the same in battling soreness after his high ankle sprain.

Of dealing with Kaberle after putting him on waivers, Maurice said: "It's not such a new situation. This happens fairly regularly around (the league). For some players ... it turns out to be some kind of turning point in their career.

"When Frankie came to camp, from my understanding, he really worked hard, he really looked focused and he really looked good. And he had the injury and he hasn't gotten back where he was. Then we got healthy and we saw some younger defensemen.

"With that being said, he may never miss a game. ... He's probably not overly happy about it but he's handled it well."