Ian White’s minus-10 is not an indication of his ability to play defense; it’s a reflection of the underachieving team he played on as much as anything.

At his best, he’s a useful two-way defenseman despite his size -- he’s listed at 5-foot-10 -- and he played two full seasons under Paul Maurice with the Toronto Maple Leafs, so both player and coach should know what they’re getting into.

There were two plays involving Anton Babchuk in the Canes' first preseason game that stick out, that probably were the most noticeable.

One was Babchuk's goal, the Canes' only score Tuesday in the 4-1 loss to Florida. With Carolina on the penalty kill early in the second period, the defenseman sped up the ice on a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush with Patrick O'Sullivan, took a pass from O'Sullivan and buried the shot.

Babchuk, who played in Russia last season,  had 16 goals two years ago in his last season with the Canes, so he knows how to score. But shorthanded? That was something new.

As expected, the Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Anton Babchuk to a one-year deal shortly after the free agency signing period opened today.

The Hurricanes retained Babchuk's rights after last season when the two sides couldn't agree on terms, and Babchuk, 26, spent the season in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. The Hurricanes had made him a qualifying offer at the end of last season, but Babchuk had lost his arbitration rights after rebuffing the Hurricanes a previous time to return to Russia for the 2007-08 season.

In his last season with the Canes (2008-09), Babchuk had a career year  scoring 16 goals — including four game-winners — and 19 assists.

"I will admit that we missed him," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "I said at the time, it's going to be hard to replace those 16 goals. We didn't."

Anton Babchuk has come back. Well, back to Raleigh. Back to talk with the Canes.

General manager Jim Rutherford said today that Babchuk and his agent recently came to Raleigh to discuss the defenseman signing a new contract and returning to Carolina next season. Babchuk played last season with Avangard Omsk (KHL) in Russia.

"It was a very productive meeting," Rutherford said. "We can't sign him until July 1 because he played in Europe last year, but I'm very comfortable we will sign him at that point."

The Canes will be playing a preseason exhibition game this fall in Russia against St. Petersburg of the KHL, and Jim Rutherford said today defenseman Anton Babchuk could be playing for Carolina in that game.

Rutherford said he is optimistic the Hurricanes will reach an agreement with Babchuk that would being him back to the NHL. Babchuk left the Canes after the 2008-2009 season and played this past season with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.

Rutherford said he has had a number of conversations in the past two weeks with Babchuk's agent.

"We want to sign him and bring him back," Rutherford said. "We are moving along in the process."

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford has said defenseman Anton Babchuk doesn't seem to understand the NHL's free agency system.

Apparently not. Babchuk has signed a one-year contract for $1.5 million with Avangard Omsk of the KHL according to a media report out of Russia. Word has it Babchuk, a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights, was offered the same deal by the Canes after being made an initial qualifying offer of one year at $1 million.

So Babchuk is in Russia. The Canes still retain his rights. Babchuk, who switched agents just before deciding to sign with Omsk, should be playing in the NHL this year — with the Canes or some NHL team.

Defenseman Anton Babchuk now has a new agent and intends to stay in the NHL, Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today. It just won't be with Carolina.

Rutherford said Babchuk, who had been represented by Jay Grossman, hired Don Meehan of Newport Sports Management last week. Rutherford said he has talked with Meehan about Babchuk this week.

"We'd like to get Anton's situation cleared up and there's been more action in the last week," Rutherford said. "He wants to stay in the league and not go back to Russia."

Having signed veteran forward Stephane Yelle, Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today, "That should be it for us."

In other words, everything is set for the beginning of training camp next month. Rutherford said it's unlikely the Canes will have anyone come in for free-agent tryouts in the preseason camp, although he didn't completely rule it out.

But there is one bit of unfinished business: defenseman Anton Babchuk.

"At this point, it appears he will be going back to Russia," Rutherford said.

A day after adding depth forward Steven Goertzen and re-signing minor leaguers Casey Borer and goalie Justin Peters, the Carolina Hurricanes added defenseman Jay Harrison.

Harrison was signed to a one-year, two-way contract that would pay him $500,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 in the AHL, with $175,000 guaranteed.

Canes forwards Erik Cole and Chad LaRose, as unrestricted free agents, go on the open market at noon today when the NHL signing period begins.

But for how long?

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that although there are no guarantees, Cole may wind up returning. He said Cole has said he will not drag out the free-agent process.

"Erik is working hard to work with us," Rutherford said. "He'll still go into free agency but has said he will not stay out there long if he does not see a big deal he can get."