Tlusty watches as informal workouts begin

Fifteen Canes players were on the ice today at the RecZone for the first day of informal workouts at the RecZone, including goaltenders Cam Ward and Justin Peters.

An impressive first-day turnout, yes. Part of it was the longer offseason after missing the Stanley Cup playoffs. Part of it was young guys wanting to get started, or newcomers such as Bobby Sanguinetti and Jon Matsumoto wanting to meet new teammates.

One player at the RecZone who was not skating was forward Jiri Tlusty. He will be sidelined another few weeks after tearing an ACL in the second round of the AHL playoffs last season and undergoing surgery.

Tlusty, who could be among the Canes' top nine forwards, spent the past few months in his native Czech Republic rehabbing the knee -- and growing restless, he said. He believes he will be back on the ice and at full speed when training camp begins Sept. 17, as does general manager Jim Rutherford.

"We were told the surgery was very successful and he will have a 100 percent recovery," Rutherford said today. "We feel fine about it."

Rutherford said there were no other lingering injuries to be concerned about with preseason camp less than a month from starting.

"From a health point of view, everything is in order," he said.

Rutherford again said he does not anticipate the Canes adding any other players, saying the competition for spots, especially among the younger guys, will be beneficial. He said he has spoken with the agent of forward Scott Walker but does not anticipate bringing back the veteran forward, an unrestricted free agent.

"We like him a lot," Rutherford said. "We do not have room right now."