Ward's backup in limbo

No decision yet on second goalie

RALEIGH -- Among the decisions to be made this week as the Carolina Hurricanes hold their offseason planning meetings is finding a backup for goalie Cam Ward.

That decision will affect Ward more than anyone, but he said Monday his opinion has not been sought, nor would he offer it even if it was.

"Not at all, and they haven't brought it up to me," Ward said. "That's what they're there for. That's their job to do and my job is to perform on the ice when I'm asked to, and that's where my focus is."

John Grahame was allowed to leave as a free agent (and has reportedly signed with a Russian team for next season) after going 15-20-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average in two seasons with Carolina.

Michael Leighton is the front-runner to take over after an MVP-caliber season in the AHL, but the fact that the Canes have yet to re-sign Leighton, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month, is a clear indication the matter remains up for debate.

Ward was at the RBC Center on Monday to officially present the Special Olympics of North Carolina with the $12,540 raised by his "Cam's Champs" fund-raising program this season.

Ward contributed $6,760 of that amount out of his own pocket at $4 per save. Last year, in the first year of the program, "Cam's Champs" raised $8,814.

"It's continuing to grow and that's a great thing to see," Ward said. "We're continuing to build off of it and I'm looking forward to next season and hopefully following the same route."

Ward is just starting his offseason training after playing for Canada at the World Championships.

He was in net for Canada's 5-4 overtime loss to Russia in the gold-medal game -- the first loss Ward had suffered in two trips to the World Championships, and all the more disappointing for taking place on home ice in Quebec City.

"It's important to take a little bit of a rest," Ward said. "I know it's not the NHL playoffs, but it takes a toll on you emotionally, especially the way it ended. To be able to have a week off, you can reflect on what's been going on and areas you need to improve on, and then go after it."