from Luke DeCock of the News & Observer,

The apparent lack of progress with Joni Pitkanen’s shattered heel is awful news for the Carolina Hurricanes in so many ways. It’s hard to pick just one: The minutes he plays; the all-around role the defenseman can fill when at his best; the fact that the needless injury, suffered on a meaningless icing play, has the potential to be career-ending.

It’s a frightening set of circumstances for player and team alike.

While Pitkanen’s long-term prospects remain in question, the short-term prospects of the Hurricanes will unavoidably take a hit. If Thursday’s CT scan produces further bad news, the Hurricanes may have no choice but to pursue a replacement, which would mean money that should be spent on a forward could end up being spent on defense while any chance of trading the final year of Pitkanen’s $4.5 million contract evaporates.

“Especially with Joni’s situation, we have to keep our eyes on how much cap room we have,” Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday. “There’s a little more priority for a defenseman.”

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