Walker Undergoes Surgery

[caption id="attachment_1756" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Scott Walker"][/caption]

The Hurricanes took another injury hit today when Scott Walker was lost for six weeks after having surgery this morning on his left hand, according to a release by the team.

Walker presumably hurt his hand during a fight with Philadelphia's Nate Guenin, who had hit Matt Cullen in the teams' preseason game Sept. 28. Walker was seen grimacing and shaking his hand following the scrap, and the News & Observer reported his hand was heavily taped in the days after the fight. The surgery, which repaired a torn ligament, was performed by Dr. Harrison Tuttle of Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic.

Walker's injury will open up another spot on the team's opening night lineup, with Brandon Sutter, Joe Jensen, Dan LaCouture, Tim Conboy, Trevor Gillies and Wade Brookbank all looking for a shot to play Friday vs. Florida. One could deduce it also heightens the option of Carolina dressing seven defensemen to start the year, and could also increase the chances of rookie Zach Boychuk sticking around in Raleigh.