But while the Canes quickly were able to reach an agreement with Erik Cole, general manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday night that unrestricted free-agent forward Chad LaRose likely would sign with another team.

Canes center Eric Staal and goaltender Cam Ward have earned invitations to participate in Canada's National Men's Team orientation camp.

The NHL's free agency signing period begins today at noon, and Canes general manager Jim Rutherford didn't want to play that game. Rutherford had hoped to have forwards Erik Cole and Chad LaRose, both unrestricted free agents, signed, sealed and in the Canes' fold.

General manager Jim Rutherford said Monday said he would like to sign Erik Cole and Chad LaRose to multiyear deals before Wednesday, when the free-agency signing period begins in the NHL.

DeCock:It will be four or five years before we know how the Carolina Hurricanes did in this past weekend's NHL draft.

Will Erik Cole and Chad LaRose sign new contracts with the Hurricanes before Wednesday and the start of free agency? "I don't know. It's tough to read," general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

DeCock:Scott Walker has some good news to share and many, many people to thank. His wife, Julie, is four weeks removed from her cancer surgery, and while she continues to recover, doctors have told her they believe she is cancer-free.

The past two years, much of the emphasis was on skill. This year's priority: size.

The Canes' first-round selection — forward Philippe Paradis — took some by surprise. He does have the size general manager Jim Rutherford said would be a priority in the draft. And in the second round today, the Canes took defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

DeCock:As far as the Carolina Hurricanes were concerned, Friday's first round of the NHL draft was about the dog that didn't bark.

With the 27th pick in the first round of NHL Entry Draft, the Hurricanes' contingent at the Bell Centre in Montreal watched as player after player was selected, hugged family members and paraded to the podium.

Size matters to Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, who wants to add some bulk to his team using the NHL Entry Draft, which begins tonight in Montreal.

John Tavares or Victor Hedman?

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, an unrestricted free agent, likely will not be signed to a new contract, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday.

Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, an unrestricted free agent, likely will not be playing for the Canes next season, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

No sooner does the hockey season end than another important season begins.

Cam Ward was back in the Carolina Hurricanes' locker room Tuesday at the RBC Center, back to make a special presentation.

Bringing back Paul Maurice as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes was more than a mere formality. Maurice was given a three-year contract Monday. The rest of the coaching staff also will return, although some titles and duties have changed.

The Carolina Hurricanes should make an announcement on the coaching staff in the next few days, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday, and no surprises are expected.

An announcement on the Hurricanes' coaching staff could be made in the next few days, general manager Jim Rutherford said today, and it is expected the staff will remain intact.

Jim Rutherford and Paul Maurice sat next to each other Thursday, smiling away like nothing was amiss.

DeCock:Rod Brind'Amour says he has every intention of playing out the final two years of his contract, which will disappoint all the Carolina Hurricanes fans hoping that he will gracefully step aside after a dismal season.

Jussi Jokinen heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent, but the Carolina Hurricanes forward hopes to be back with the team next season.

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that his goal was to bring back the coaching staff intact for next season.

DeCock:If there's anything to take away from this playoff run, it's that Eric Staal and Cam Ward are the franchise players the Carolina Hurricanes thought they were.

A new deal for coach Paul Maurice and contacts for free agents rank high on the agenda as the team starts work for next season.

Tudor:If the Carolina Hurricanes are looking for role models, they might want to read up on Stan Mikita and the Chicago Blackhawks of the early 1970s.

In the end, the Hurricanes could not stop the Penguins, who won 4-1 Tuesday night at the RBC Center to finish off the series in four games and earn a second straight trip to the Stanley Cup finals.

DeCock:Bill Cowher chose to ally himself with the Carolina Hurricanes over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that's one victory the Hurricanes can claim thisseries.

For the first time in his short but successful career, Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward found himself on the wrong side of the series-ending handshake line, and he gracefully congratulated Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Canes' Scott Walker said he and his teammates did more than take the last two days to rest and recoup and get ready to play the Penguins in Game 4.

The Carolina Hurricanes should recognize the stratosphere where Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin currently resides. With six goals in three games, the Pittsburgh center is dominating the playoff series.