Other tidbits from Friday

Leftover bits and pieces from Friday's exit-interview media availabilities, including Ray Whitney's thoughts on the season and Tuomo Ruuto on his popularity among Hurricanes fans…

What Ray Whitney will remember about this season: “Jussi Jokinen’s play in the playoffs and Cam Ward in the second half of the season. Obviously, getting a coach fired is something you want to forget, because it’s the fault of the players.”

Pending unrestricted free agent Chad LaRose on his contract status: “I want to continue what I have here and hopefully continue my relationships with everyone in the front office and Mr. Karmanos.”

LaRose on his relationship with Paul Maurice, who scratched him for one game in December: “Yeah, it was frustrating. It’s tough. He didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know much about him. He didn’t know much about guys in our room so it was tough for him to be in that position. I just tried to stay positive for my teammates and work hard. …

"He always gave me an opportunity and taught me a lot. He made it sound like mistakes are always going to happen and you have to forget about them. I used to worry about making mistakes. Now I go out there always wanting the puck."

Pending unrestricted free agent Dennis Seidenberg on his contract status: “I would love to come back. That’s up to Jim Rutherford and my agent, but I would love to come back.”

Ruutu on his health: "I was pretty banged up, but I have the whole summer to rest up."

Ruutu on his popularity: "I don’t know how popular I am. I’m just trying to be myself. Every time you have a chance to hit, you have to hit because they love it and you have to go for it. … (My parents) came over and they were a little surprised. I told them, they’re not booing."

Ryan Bayda on spending the entire season with the Hurricanes, a first in his career: "I've been gone and back and up and down more than anybody, probably. This last year, it was nice to be in one spot for the whole season. Especially now with a family and a kid and stuff."