The Carolina Hurricanes have missed the playoffs for two straight years and speculation has been rampant that Canes head coach Peter Laviolette will be on a short leash this year. Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford tried to put an end to the speculation by telling the News and Observer there is no pressure on Laviolette and he doesn’t want anybody to be under the gun heading into the season. The Hurricanes are two years removed from winning the Stanley cup in 2006 and rely on playoff income to be financially stable.