jim rutherford

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford admitted the obvious after the team fell for the sixth time in seven games -- but he stopped short of making any public decisions.

The Carolina Hurricanes went 45-30-7 and earned 97 points last year in a season that ended up lasting a lot longer then many thought.

The Hurricanes made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before being swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Hurricanes seemed to be one big move or a few small moves away from being a big time contender again in 2009-10.

However Canes, GM Jim Rutherford thinks his team already made its big moves, and essentially stood pat over much of the off season.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker will not be suspended but was fined $2,500 by the NHL on Monday for throwing a punch that may have broken a bone in Boston defenseman Aaron Ward's face.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told The Associated Press that the automatic suspension given to Walker was rescinded during a hearing with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell.