From Triangle Bussines Journal

Is former Carolina Hurricanes defenseman David Tanabe returning to the team? Tanabe, who recently became an unrestricted free agent when the Boston Bruins exercised their "walk-away" option, was seen having lunch at Restaurant Savannah with Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford and Coach Peter Laviolette on Friday.

Tanabe was awarded $1.275 million, one-year contract by an arbitrator on Aug. 3. The collective bargaining agreement made it mandatory for the Bruins to sign Tanabe at that amount within 48 hours or set him free.

  
The Bruins chose the later.

Hurricanes spokesman Kyle Hanlin said he was aware the Tanabe was in town, but he had no further details to offer.

Tanabe was the Hurricanes' first-round draft pick in 1999 and the No. 16 selection overall in the NHL Draft. He played his first four seasons with Carolina, scoring 15 goals and racking up 47 assists. He was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2003. He then was traded to Boston during last season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury April 10.

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Its now official

Hmm, even with Kaberle out for a bit it doesn't make much sense. Comments from Rutherford made it sound like Tanabe will be getting regular ice time this year. They now have 8 defensemen signed to one-way contracts and two more solid guys who need to be getting ice time. If they could possibly have found someone to take on Tverdovsky's contract then he could be on his way out.