Ward extended

For the second time in as many summers, Jim Rutherford has broken with tradition by signing a player to a big contract extension one year before he would become a free agent.  Today’s big news was that Cam Ward’s contract was extended for six years at an average of $6.3M.  He would have become a restricted free agent in July, but like Eric Staal last summer, JR wanted to get it taken care of.  And we’re glad he did. Starting with the 2010-11 season, Ward will be the third highest paid goaltender in the league and the second highest payed player on the Hurricanes.  The team has made a major commitment to the two cornerstones of the franchise, and the significance isn’t lost on Ward.  “I realize I’m being paid to be an elite goaltender.  I realize there’s added pressure that always comes with something like this.I do not want to shy away from it.  If anything, I want to rise to the occasion....  I’m not going to get complacent. I want to get better and better and be one of those elite goaltenders in the NHL ”