 Canadiens defenceman Tomas Kaberle plays the puck against the Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Dec. 10, 2011. (ANDY MARLIN/NHLI via Getty Images) |
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford admitted Tuesday that signing ex-Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle was a mistake.
Rutherford, speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio in Toronto, said signing Kaberle to a three-year, $12.75 million contract in July was a misstep he was fortunate to correct by dealing him to the Montreal Canadiens for Jaroslav Spacek.
"Quite frankly I didn't read the situation the way I should've," Rutherford said on the Brady & Lang show. "I should've known what it's like for guys after they win the Stanley Cup. Based on where the team was at, it wasn't the direction that I should've gone in.
"It was tough for Tomas. He had a short summer. He was a little bit behind when he came into camp and didn't really catch up ... Fortunately, I was able to make a deal and clear it up for the future."
Kaberle had nine assists and was minus-12 in 29 games with the Hurricanes before being shipped to Montreal last week.
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