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Canes break off negotiations with Cole, LaRose

Carolina Hurricanes center Chad LaRose on October 13, 2008.

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Jul 1, 2009

Raleigh, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday night that free agents Chad LaRose and Erik Cole will test the free agent market and expressed disappointment that the pair hadn't signed with Carolina.

Rutherford told WRAL he had been negotiating with agents into Tuesday evening in hopes of signing them before free agency begins Wednesday.

Rutherford, reached moments after a call with one of the players' agents, expressed disappointment that both Cole and LaRose had shown interest in staying with Carolina but didn't sign.

He said he offered LaRose a three-year contract and Cole a two-year deal but did not give terms.

Rutherford said the Hurricanes had hoped to lock in both players before the free agency period opened up, but with LaRose and Cole now preparing to test the market the Hurricanes are now preparing to become buyers themselves.

"We'll do the same thing the players are doing," Rutherford said.

Cole made $4 million last season, while LaRose's salary was $875,000.

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By giantfan1956
Posted Jul 1, 3:27 p.m.

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Location: South Yarmouth, MA

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RE: Canes break off negotiations with Cole, LaRose

larose has to sign....

By Bob Sidel
Posted Jul 1, 12:15 p.m.

Rank: Rookie
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Location: Raleigh, NC

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RE: Canes break off negotiations with Cole, LaRose

Cole was way overpaid at $4 million. He's not even a $2 million dollar player now. Good riddance. LaRose is worth 1.5-1.75 tops. But LaRose will get $2 million elsewhere. Cole, I'd be surprised if he gets any offers over 2 million.  

- Posted by bkahuna

Get ready to be surprised

By 2
Posted Jul 1, 12:04 p.m.

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Location: Cary, NC

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Missing Rosie...

Larose was an awesome guy. He got the team to sign a jersey for me, at the airport he was always showing the most excitement with all the fans, always brings energy, can find the goal, was our ONLY threat on PK for a short-hander, he lifted his line... everyone likes playing with him. His wife is a Raleigh local whose family is in the area... I'm stunned he is not signed with the Canes right now, stunned. I'm not a happy camper if Larose leaves Raleigh....

By bkahuna
Posted Jul 1, 11:51 a.m.

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RE: Canes break off negotiations with Cole, LaRose

Cole was way overpaid at $4 million. He's not even a $2 million dollar player now. Good riddance. LaRose is worth 1.5-1.75 tops. But LaRose will get $2 million elsewhere. Cole, I'd be surprised if he gets any offers over 2 million.

By jgunn
Posted Jul 1, 11:50 a.m.

Rank: Sports Legend
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Location: Raleigh, NC

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RE: Canes break off negotiations with Cole, LaRose

If you want to win, you have to spend. The Canes can't always do more with less; last season they over-achieved. We will always be Mayberry Hockey unless Karmanos opens his wallets and more than cobwebs fall out - he's gotta let go of some greenbacks to get the players we need to succeed.