Jokinen, Cole, and others not expected back

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

As promised, Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford did make progress on signing some of his unrestricted free agents, but it appears that others may now be on their way out.

Paul Branecky

Follow on Twitter

On Tuesday, the Hurricanes announced new contracts for Joni Pitkanen (news release) and Patrick Dwyer (news release). Pitkanen, once considered the free agent most likely to leave due to his expected salary demands in a shallow free agent pool, agreed to a new three-year pact that will pay him $4.5 million per year – the same amount he made last season.

Rutherford said that initial doubts about bringing back Pitkanen changed when it became apparent that the player was serious about staying.

“He’s a guy that plays a ton of minutes in all situations, is a big, strong guy, and, if you look at the free agent list for defensemen, he was near the top of it,” said Rutherford. “We thought he would want to test the market, but he really loves playing here and I really appreciate what he did to make that happen.”

Rutherford’s words for others weren’t as kind. While he said he had yet to hear back from Chad LaRose’s representatives, he said that he was disappointed that talks had not also not progressed with Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen, who appear likely to test the open market on July 1.

“For Erik and Jussi, this is about money to them,” said Rutherford. “I’ll use the same quote that I always use this time of year. You have players who say the right thing publicly about wanting to stay, but what they forget to add is, “Unless I can get more money somewhere else.

Full Article: http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567606

So we can pay Pitkanen, but we can't pay two of the top five guys on our team? This thouroughly pisses me off.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Jussi and Cole must want to test free agency, right? I can't think you have an equal opportunity to re-sign those guys and you go "OK, Joni is the priority."

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Jussi and Cole must want to test free agency, right? I can't think you have an equal opportunity to re-sign those guys and you go "OK, Joni is the priority."

They feel like they can get more money in free agency. JR usually short changes the players worth paying anyway.

[KillerKat]

Great, suddenly my expectations for next season is very low

[Stumpy]

I could deal with losing Cole. But, if we lose Rosie and the Juice because of money, I will be livid.

Those two are the only guys on our team that bring any kind of, for lack of a better word, Swagger. They give the Canes a presence on the ice that, for as good of a player as he is, Staal just does not. Skinner could be that type of player, but we do not have many others that can fit that bill.

If we can keep those two and pick up a solid Dman, we will be on the cusp of being a very good team. If we lose those two, I'm with KK, my hopes for next year will be significantly hindered.

[carpanfan96]

The Canes have a very young team in sights for next season. They have way too many highly skilled forwards just sitting in Charlotte that need to be on the team, A nasty young defense and some new coaching to take advantage of those.

I would like for Cole and Jussi to be resigned, its not completely needed.

LaRose just signed a deal with the team, so he's locked up now.

[boney]

Hurricanes Agree to Terms with Jussi Jokinen

fug yes!!!

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Awesome.

[Stumpy]

Hurricanes Agree to Terms with Jussi Jokinen

fug yes!!!

Awesome! Now if we can manage to pick up another solid Dman and a decent forward, we'll be good to go.

[carpanfan96]

Sweet, glad to have Jussi back. Starting to look real good.

[YoungPanthers89]

cole to montreal, 4 years 18 million. wtf rutherford?

[Stumpy]

Ehh... I've always liked Cole, but he is not as good as he used to be and he is nearly useless without Staal on the ice. I'm not too upset about this one.

[KillerKat]

I disagree. Cole was still great for us last season. We will have to pick up an equally great forward plus another good defensemen (or 2) if we are going to make the playoffs next season.

[The Other Colbert]

I am okay with letting Cole go, I thought Jussi was way more of a priority. Cole did do a lot for the maturing of Jeff Skinner though