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Canes GM prepared for worst regarding Pitkanen’s rehab

pitkanengetty

For years, the Carolina Hurricanes have leaned heavily on defenseman Joni Pitkanen, but they might not be able to do so in 2013-14.

Canes GM Jim Rutherford essentially told the Charlotte News & Observer that he has no real clue when the 29-year-old can recovery from the scary heel injury he suffered on April 2.

In fact, things are dire enough that Rutherford is even discussing making a move to replace the Finn.

“We’ll look at what our options are for a possible replacement for Joni, if he’s out a long time,” Rutherford said. “We don’t know how long it’s going to be that he’ll be out. Will it be a couple of weeks, a month, a half a year, a whole year? I don’t know ... But I’m getting prepared for the worst at this point.”

Yikes, that doesn’t sound very good.

Then again, maybe it shouldn’t be surprising considering the fact that Rutherford compared it to an injury suffered from a car crash instead of during a sporting event.

Here’s video of that frightening crash:

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins