Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that free agency is now entering "stage two" and the team is mulling over options concerning the back end.

Rutherford said a fundamental decision may rest with Jamie McBain -- and, in turn, Brett Carson and Alexandre Picard.

"One option is we could sign a top-four guy and let McBain ease in more," Rutherford said. "We think he's capable of playing in the top four but he is new to the league. The second option would be to leave McBain in the top four."

By now, many have seen Alex Ovechkin's hit on Brian Campbell in Sunday's Washington-Chicago game. Many have different opinions on how the NHL should handle the hit.

Ovechkin was ejected for the third time this season, although the Caps did rally to win. Word out of Chicago is Campbell has a broken clavicle and broken ribs and is done for the season.

The Canes' Brian Pothier played with Ovechkin before being traded to Carolina on March 3. Here's what the defenseman had to say today about the Caps star:

WASHINGTON -- For Brian Pothier, the last week has been little more than a blur.

A week ago today, Pothier woke up as a member of the Washington Capitals. By mid-afternoon, the defenseman had been traded to the Hurricanes. A day later, he was wearing No. 5 and in the Canes' lineup against the Ottawa Senators at the RBC Center, then flying off to play the Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers.

Tonight, it comes back full swing, so to speak. He'll be back on the Verizon Center ice with the Caps, but looking to beat the Caps.

"You're on a team, you're in a community, your kids are in school, you have a house, everything is normal," Pothier said after today's morning skate at the Verizon Center. "Then, in 10 seconds, you get the news you're not going to be there anymore."