From Talking Points:

If there is anything Frantisek Kaberle and Tom Barrasso have in common, it was that they were both underestimated during their time with the Hurricanes.

Both were in the news Tuesday, Kaberle because the Hurricanes bought out his contract and Barrasso for his induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

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If there is anything Frantisek Kaberle and Tom Barrasso have in common, it was that they were both underestimated during their time with the Hurricanes.

Both were in the news Tuesday, Kaberle because the Hurricanes bought out his contract and Barrasso for his induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the remaining year on the contract of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle.

Kaberle, 35, was due to make $2.2 million this coming season. With the buyout, he will collect two-thirds, or about $1.5 million, of that amount over the next two seasons.

"We wanted to change the makeup of our defense, make our defense bigger," said Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford, who notably brought back defenseman Aaron Ward in a trade with the Boston Bruins and picked up Andrew Alberts in free agency.

Rutherford said Kaberle became expendable after the Hurricanes traded for Joe Corvo in February 2008, which "covered up the strengths of [Frank's] game."

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said defenseman Frantisek Kaberle was placed on waivers today.

Kaberle, 35, is in his fourth season with the Canes and has missed 24 games because of injuries. Kaberle scored the winning goal in the seventh game of the 2006 Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers.

"It's always tough to break ties with someone," Rutherford said. "He was a big part of the Cup run and scored the big goal. ... But at some point, it's a part of our business that you have to cut ties."

The Hurricanes have activated defenseman Frantisek Kaberle from injured reserve, the team announced today.

Kaberle has missed 18 games since Oct. 17, when he suffered a hairline foot fracture after being hit by a shot in the game against the Los Angeles Kings. In four games this season before the injury, he had three assists.

Canes fans know the situation with defenseman Frantisek Kaberle. He scored the goal that won the 2006 Stanley Cup. Shoulder problems have hampered him the last two seasons. His name continues to be bandied about in trade speculation.

Here's what Kaberle had to say about those three issues.

Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle was among the newcomers today at the Canes' informal workouts at the RecZone.

Kaberle, whose name has been tossed about in possible trade scenarios the past few months, said he was physically fit and excited about a new season — with the Hurricanes. He said he had been working out this summer in the Czech Republic with his brother, Tomas, and that his shoulder and knee problems were behind him.

Alas poor Yorick, Mats Sundin continues to dodge the slings and arrows and blah blah blah.

And no, not because they're pursuing the vacillating Swedish superstar.

Is a team from the Swedish Elite League negotiating to buy Niclas Wallin's contract from the Hurricanes?

UPDATE, 5:27 p.m.: In an email on Thursday, Wallin said there was no truth to the rumor.