Jim Rutherford has a lot more time on his hands than he might have expected.

"I've got all day, and unfortunately all summer," said the Hurricanes' president and general manager.

A week ago at this time Rutherford, like everyone else, had reason to expect his Hurricanes would be starting a playoff series. Instead, after losing three of their last four games, the Canes are playoff spectators again, and Rutherford has plenty of time to ponder his off-season agenda.

Rutherford's first mission? Re-signing Sergei Samsonov.

"I'm pretty confident that he's going to end up staying here," Rutherford said. "He really likes it here and he's a respectful guy and a loyal guy. He knows that if he didn't get this opportunity here, that his hockey career in this league might very well have been over."

In addition to locking up Samsonov, look for the Canes to make defense a priority this summer. The mid-season acquisition of Joe Corvo helped plug one gap on the back line, but even if veterans Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley return Rutherford still hopes to make changes.

"We're going to have to fix our defense," Rutherford admitted. "I have a lot of disappointment in the way our team played in our own end."

Hurricane season ended early for this hockey team, but the trade winds may have just begun in Raleigh.