RALEIGH, N.C. -- Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen will miss the upcoming season as he continues to recover from a broken left heel he suffered in April.
The 29-year-old Pitkanen missed the season's final 13 games because of the injury, which occurred in a game against the Washington Capitals when he raced down the ice in an attempt to beat an icing call.
Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford said earlier this month that Pitkanen might not be ready to start his sixth season with Carolina and that he would need another CT scan on his heel.
The veteran defenseman has 57 goals and 225 assists in nine NHL seasons with the Canes, Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers.
Carolina opens the regular season at home Oct. 4 against the Detroit Red Wings.
