What caused this 13 game slide?  Was it the signing of veterans?  Was it the release of steady players that were used to the flow of the team?  Or is it the "Hockey Gods" plaguing the Canes?  

Personally I dont believe that bringing in Yelle and Ward have solved anything.  I really didn't see where Rutherford was going with them in the first place.  Tommy K, unlike the other two, was a good pickup I think, as he brings a much needed energy onto the ice. 

I think the demise of the Hurricanes was the release of Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk.  If im not mistaken, the whole reason to bring Ward was for his solid D.  Seidenberg, the last time I checked was right up there in the league in blocked shots, and hes not far behind in hits.  He can also score, something that Ward has never thought about doing in his life.  Babchuk currently has 9 points in 15 KHL games, including 2 PP goals. 

http://en.khl.ru/players/3950/&lang=en

I think the biggest mistake Riutherford made was letting him go.  I realize that he had issues, and he was a brat, but the kid could shoot, and what everyone said he gave up on defense cant be far from what Aaron Ward is doing.  We could really use his big shot right about now.  So the question is what is the leading mistake, and what should J Rutherford have done instead?