According to the newsobserver, Canes GM Jim Rutherford is on his way out.
It’s expected Ron Francis, the Hurricanes’ vice president of hockey operations, will succeed Rutherford as general manager. That decision will be made by team owner Peter Karmanos Jr
The news comes on the heels of another report that the Canes may be looking to slash some salary. According to the New York Rangers blog, there may be a Staal brothers reunion…in New York:
…as far as Eric Staal goes, it’s hard not to like a big, tough scoring center who plays with an edge. But, if the Rangers would be looking to trade for him this summer his salary would take up a significant portion of their cap space, plus Carolina would be asking for a truckload in return. I’d also have concerns about signing him when he hits free agency in two years as he’ll be 31, likely on the downside of his career and looking for one last payday. You know, the attributes Sather looks for in a free agent.
Oh that Ranger fan humor.
It may be premature to think cutbacks are coming in Carolina though, especially with the news on Monday that the Canes gave Justin Faulk a six-year, $29 million dollar contract.
