Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford anticipated a quiet holiday weekend, a day after the free agent signing period opened.
Rutherford, who heard from the agent of former Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo on Thursday, said it didn’t look likely that Corvo would return. Rutherford would like to have the Oak Park, Ill., native back in the Carolina fold, but Corvo is looking for more money than the Hurricanes can afford.
“It looks like he’s going to be out of our reach,” he said.
Rutherford said defensemen Alexandre Picard and Brett Carson were still options. The team offered the free agents contracts that would have removed their minor league clauses early this week. When the sides couldn’t agree on money, the Hurricanes elected not to qualify the offers, which would have given the players arbitration rights. As a result, they both became unrestricted free agents on Thursday.
“They’re still in the mix,” Rutherford said.
Rutherford said acquiring a defenseman is a big priority, but he is patient and willing to wait to see what shakes out.
On Thursday, he listed the defensive pairings as they still stand today, with Tim Gleason and rookie Jamie McBain, Joni Pitkanen with Anton Babchuk, and Jay Harrison with a player to be determined. On Friday, Rutherford acknowledged that Bobby Sanguinetti, who the Hurricanes acquired in a trade during the draft, could be in the mix for the sixth defensive spot.
Sanguinetti, with three AHL seasons under his wings, has played in only five NHL games, all last season with the New York Rangers. Of course, that’s all the NHL experience Carson had coming into last season, when he saw action in 54 games with the Hurricanes, scoring a pair of goals and 10 assists.
But acquiring another top-4 defenseman would allow the young McBain to go down with Harrison and be eased into the NHL fire. Rutherford also needs to beef up defensive depth in case there’s injuries.
“He’s clearly a top-4 guy,” Rutherford said of McBain, the Canes’ first pick of the 2006 draft (63rd overall). “But we want to do what’s right for his development. That being said, we feel completely comfortable with him paired with Gleason. We just need more depth.”
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail
Comments
Why the heck did JR re-sign
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 10:43 — DesertCaniacWhy the heck did JR re-sign Harrison and not Carson? Carson is clearly the better D-man, and JR should have saved Harrison's $500k and used it to get Carson back. I see Harrison as nothing more than a 7th defenseman who should serve solely as a depth player and as a healthy scratch. If that's the case, then why even sign him? And JR has him above Sanguinetti? I know Sanguinetti is untested, but Harrison is clearly not a top-6 defenseman.
JR has A LOT of work to do on defense to make that squad competitive next year. I think it can be done before the season starts for sure, but the Canes need to get a LEGITIMATE top-4 defenseman and not a top-6 guy who JR thinks can play in the top-4.
A Resounding "Amen"
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 11:52 — SkylinerHarrison, in my opinion, has just enough talent to keep him on the Albany/Charlotte team. He certainly has not demonstrated NHL-level skill. I do wonder why Mr. Rutherford dropped that dime about "Joe Corvo's agent called me" and just left it at that. He was somewhat dismissive of any possibility of Joe's return by declaring him out of reach (budget wise).
But the General Manager is a cagy old bird and he might be trying to bring down Joe's price with some "poker table" talk. Perhaps not, but it would be good to have him return. Again, you are right, the money spent on Mr. Harrison is not well spent!
At least someone agrees...
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 12:24 — DesertCaniacEven if JR brought back Harrison as a depth player, it is still a rather pointless signing because the Canes can always look to Rodney and Borer for depth. So as of right now, Harrison's salary is a waste. I understand he can be "gritty" and that he played with some injuries last year, but he is a warm body and JR is using him as a cork to fill a hole somewhere. This is NOT how you build a good defense. Harrison has some proving to do this year.
As far as the possibility of adding a top-4 defenseman, I really don't know how much the Canes are willing to spend. It will be good to have Corvo back, but he'll be pricey. I understand the Canucks are willing to deal Bieksa, but his salary is $3.5M next year so that won't work unless JR can unload some current players somehow. Even though Vancouver is probably unwilling to take on salary with the Bieksa trade, Cole/LaRose for Bieksa would be just fine with me. Probably won't happen, but it's fun to speculate. Regardless of what happens, it looks like JR will have to be creative ... again.
2011-2012
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 10:31 — ctillI agree that 2011-2012 salaries are a factor in JR's actions now. Salaries for Staal and Ward increase throughout their contracts -- in the case of Staal, by a lot. Although the contracts of Cole, LaRose, and Samsonov expire at the end of next season, so do the contracts of Jokinen, Pitkanen, and Sutter. Jokinen will be worth a lot more than his current contract, assuming he plays in 10-11 like he played in 09-10. Sutter, although an RFA, will have arbitration rights so he'll get a whopping raise too. Plus, other Albany kids -- some of whom, like McBain, JR will want to keep -- will be approaching the end of their RFA periods. JR has to play the chess game looking out several years.
2011-2012
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 14:59 — louis12580A lot of people aren't looking to the future, they only want to focus on the here and now. Teams that want to be successful for a period of time have to look to the future. 2011-2012 does see the players listed by you and then in the 2012-2013 season, Gleason and Ruutu will be UFA's. The way Gleason's game has vastly improved, it will take some serious $ to keep him with the team. Don't think that for one moment that guy in Toronto isn't looking forward to bringing him to the Leafs. Chicago (Dale Tallon) got caught looking to now and are paying a steep price for their stupid contracts (Huet and Campbell, anyone?). They have lost their support staff needed to win. Kane and Toews won't have back up when they get run by the opposition. Pittsburgh will be next up (Malkin vs. Staal), and then Washington.
Amen! Thank you for pointing
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 14:04 — jgrant641Amen!
Thank you for pointing this out. So many people fail to look past last week in movements.
Like many here
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:40 — esteban1949I too would like to see the Canes have all of this tied up nice & neat. But many of us veteran fans know better. So and seeing that this is the 4th of July Week end...lets just focus on and appreciate the liberties and freedoms we have and then on Tuesday get back at "speculating" our booties off wondering why Carson, who had good to decent stats was allowed to take a walk...be safe and have a great day
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !! Go Canes !!
Top 4 Defenseman
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 23:27 — abramsdougOverall, the Hurricanes have amassed the best young talent in history of the Hurricanes franchise. It is hard to watch other teams add to their talent pool while the Hurricanes are not in a position to add a top 4 Dman. On the other hand, today is only day two of the UFA feeding frenzy. There is still plenty of time to re-sign Carson and to find another top 4 dman. I like how the Canes team is looking; but it would really be great to have another $4 million to spend on a new Dman.
Pothier
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:35 — CharlotteCaniacI really like what I saw out of Pothier at the end of last season. If he could be had for the $2mil range, I think it could work. I would rather see us get a shutdown type guy though.
Believe Money is Available...
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 05:55 — SkylinerPerhaps a more judicious use of available funds would allow for the defense man (and other players) we so obviously need. Won't the Hurricanes pay Frank Kaberle and Rod Brind'Amour just about $1.7 M this year for doing nothing? Then we pay Brind'Amour another undisclosed salary to do an undisclosed job.
We ship out a number of veterans at the end of last season, replacing them with younger and lower paid players; dropped another $3M salary with Whitney's departure and are way under the cap. I'm sure I must be missing something here, but wouldn't it seem logical that the Hurricanes do have money for additional talented veterans.
Like you, AD, I too have high hopes that the new young guys and those such as Riley Nash, Bobby Sanguinetti, etc., are the sleepers we think they might be.
Budget, Self-Imposed Cap and the 2011 UFAs/RFAs
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:13 — abramsdougUnspoken in the discussion by Jim Rutherford is the fact that in 2011, there are some key players who become either UFAs or RFAs. the contracts can be found at capgeek.com (just add www. to create the link). I completely agree that there has to be money saved from not re-signing Whitney, Carson, and Picard; and buying out Brind'Amour. I think Jim Rutherford is still looking for the right situation to add a defenseman - perhaps Carson and another young Dman with some NHL experience. The idea that Jim Rutherford could obtain three first round draft picks (Skinner, Sanguinetti, and Nash) and then also add Faulk, Alt, Levi, Shugg, Beiga, and Andersen is a tremendous draft by anybody's standards.
Yep, I think you are on
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:33 — wxray1Yep, I think you are on it. On a another board, there's crazy talk of trying to get Marc Staal. I don't think JR is going for anyone like that. Carson is more his speed.
BTW, besides capgeek, there is also nhlnumbers.com. Both are similar, and both are great resources. As you point out, at the end of 2011, JR will have a lot of decisions to make. I expect more turblence next year, as we move into "rebuild, part 2". On the upside of this, maybe Sergie and Erick will bring their best game this year since it will be their UFA year.
Marc Staal
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 09:48 — abramsdougI agree the likelihood that the Hurricanes would put an offer sheet out on Marc Staal is low. Similarly, the likelihood of the Hurricanes working a trade for Marc Staal is also low. It is not, however, crazy talk in my view. Far from being crazy talk, the logic of such a move is somewhat compelling. The Hurricanes organization is well-stocked with talent. Adding Marc Staal would complete the puzzle; and would also create buzz that the Hurricanes organization could use to increase the number of season ticket holders. It's a long shot; but it is not impossible to conceive.
You gotta point
Sun, 07/04/2010 - 07:46 — wxray1JR does have surprises. He got Jared. Maybe Jordon would be more crazy... but ya never know.
Defense
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 23:26 — hockey101Hopefully JR can get a top 4 d-man before they are all gone. As far as this team leaving, I have to disagree with this. It sounds like PK has a local investor close to buying the other half of the team and besides Gary Betteman and the NHL would have to approve it first. Carolina has been a a solid franchise in this area which is more than other teams can say. Gary is not going to let the Canes be moved out of this area and the fans won't let it happen either. Everyone needs to be patient with this rebuilding process. If the Canes make the playoffs this coming season, then we can all celebrate again and not be criticizing the deals JR has done.
It was a trolling comment
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:26 — wxray1WAStout brings up the leaving thing just to troll and get a response. Apparently succeeding.
Yawn
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 19:57 — WAStoutTranslation: We are going to get the cheapest D we can get.
This team is gone in 3-4 years.
I don't know that the Canes
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 23:00 — ctillI don't know that the Canes will leave town. . . but I'm a former resident of Atlanta who watched the Flames leave.
Bieksa
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 19:30 — CharlotteCaniacI really wish we could swing a deal with Vancouver for Kevin Bieksa. It sounds like he is going to be on the block after the Hamhuis signing, and would be a rock solid addition to our corp. He is due $3.5 million (I think), but only has a year left on his contract. I don't know who they might want from our side (if anyone), but we would obviously have to unload some salary the other way.
if anyone? yeah, because we
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 23:40 — jgrant641if anyone?
yeah, because we have no one to offer right?
anyway, Vancouver needs to dump salary so we would not have to send much back in return.
Huh?
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 08:30 — CharlotteCaniacUm, you answered it yourself. "If anyone" based on who we have and the salary attached with them. I never said we didn't have anyone desirable on the roster.
And you're wrong to think we wouldn't have to send much back in return. To stay below our self-imposed cap, we would have to send around $2-2.5million the other way. Additionally, Vancouver surely isn't going to give this guy away, and we definitely wouldn't package high draft picks to bring in a guy who will be a UFA at the end of the season.
So, as I said, I don't know if we have anyone who would fit the mold. Cole and Samsonov come to mind, but it would probably take a guy like Jokinen to get it done, and I don't know if that would be worth it.