Rutherford: Sutter-to-Albany all about the future

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford admitted it was a tough decision. Center Brandon Sutter did play well in training camp, did do all that was asked of him.

But here's what Rutherford said today about the decision to send Sutter to Albany (AHL) to begin the season:

"The best way to look at Brandon is that even if we were to keep him here right now, and he certainly played well enough to be here, does it do him any good playing on the fourth line and does it prepare him to be the player and be in the position we want him to be?

"The best preparation for him to become a No. 2 center is to be playing. So it's more about the development of where he should be slotted in on this team in the near future."

The Canes now have 23 players on the roster but may not carry 23. Rutherford said a decision on the roster size would be made by Wednesday.

"We don't want to get in a position where guys are sitting around too much," Rutherford said.

Defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who has missed nearly all of training camp and did not play in the four preseason games, will be at practice Tuesday, Rutherford said.

"He'll have three days of full practice to know exactly how he feels," he said. "He's a talented enough player, as long as he's healthy enough, that he can prepare in that length of time.

"Granted, he will be a little bit behind the other guys. But at the same time, with his ability, he should be able to jump right in and do well."