Rutherford: Pitkanen likely out until March

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that defenseman Joni Pitkanen may not return to the lineup until the first week of March. Pitkanen suffered a concussion Dec. 6 against the Calgary Flames. He then underwent knee surgery Jan. 3, when the team announced he would likely need about four weeks to rehab the injury. "He's coming along," Rutherford said. "Obviously he's a real good player for us and hopefully he'll feel better soon. "It's all about the approach to rehab and how you go about the rehab. Based on his rehab, it should be about the first of March when he can get back to skating. Then it would be a week or so before he's playing." Rutherford said forward Chad LaRose, who suffered a cut Monday in the Canes' 2-1 win over Winnipeg, should be out a week to 10 days. He said he hoped LaRose would be able to play when the Canes' season resumes Jan. 31 against the New York Islanders. Rutherford said Pitkanen's status...