Scott Walker Has Shoulder Surgery
by Bob Wage on Jan 5, 2010 1:44 PM EST
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PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes announced today that forward Scott Walker had shoulder surgery this morning and will be out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks. Walker has had an injury riddled season so far and has provided little offensive production to date. Most recently, he was playing minimal minutes on the fourth line with Rod Brind`Amour and Stephane Yelle, a line many referred to as "the oldest line in the NHL."
It was also announced that Sergei Samsonov would miss Thursday night's game against the Predators, leaving the Hurricanes down two forwards heading into their next contest. The team has recalled two forwards from Albany, most likely Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty. Both youngsters played well in Saturday's matinee in New York and Tlusty chipped in with an assist.
For those of you anticipating the return of Erik Cole and Chad LaRose, it seems you will have to wait a bit longer. Neither player has returned to practice yet, even in a yellow jersey. There is no official word from the club about the status of either player.
The Canes are in the middle of a four day break between games, but will play three games in four days starting Thursday night in Nashville. After that they will return home for games against the Colorado Avs on Friday night and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.
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That's unfortunate
Was looking forward to crowd’s reaction with Scott back in town on Thursday.
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That stinks. Hope Scott gets better soon.
Do we think there will be a semi-permanent replacement for him from Albany, or just rotating who works, Tlusty, Boychuk, Dwyer, so on?
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 5, 2010 1:57 PM EST reply actions
It’s tough that he’s a 4th liner. I hate to put anyone young on that line with Yelle and Brindy. Even when Rosey comes back. TKO has earned more minutes. And certainly Dwyer has too. wondering how this will play out.
And best wished to Scott and family. I hope there will all smooth-sailing for them after the challenges they’ve faced over the last 12 months.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by Carolyn Christians on Jan 5, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Cole and LaRose will be back eventually, and one or both youngsters will be returned to Albany when they are ready, discounting any future injuries of course.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Or future trades (fingers crossed)…
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 5, 2010 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
Trades badly needed
Jim Rutherford will be patient, I feel certain, but ultimately the Hurricanes really could use some trades to help open spots for Tlusty and Boychuk to get NHL experience this season when there is not the additional pressure of a Stanley Cup Run.
Yeah, JR said “we’re not giving up on the second half of the season”, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Sell the farm, get returns and start thinking about next year. I’ll actually be upset if we end up missing the playoffs and getting a middle 1st round pick. That’s the worst.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 5, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
As long as JR trades smart, and by smart, I don’t mean a run for mediocrity, but a run for the future, we will be in great shape. Plugging the holes in the currently sinking ship seem impossible to me, but who knows what JR will do. His legacy grows with a contender next year, not a middle of the road team this year.
Contending next year could be short sighted and keep the Canes on the one year in two years out path. The entire team out side of Cam, Staal, Gleason, and Pitkanen should be re-thought. Ruutu would likely be retained and Jussi would be neutral with all others being on the way out.
If you can’t plug the holes you have to build a new ship, and to do that right it takes time.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Jokinen is already the most prolific scorer on shootouts in NHL history. He also has 11 goals and 14 assists and is +/- -2 while playing all three forward positions. I consider Ruutu and Jokinen part of the core team, along with Cam Ward, Staal, Sutter, Gleason, and Pitkanen. I think they will form the basis of a team that wins at least one more Stanley Cup, if not two. Kostopoulos works extremely well as a role player.
Considering the talent of Boychuk and Tlusty, along with Bowman and Dalpe, the future looks very bright at forward; and particularly if Hall or Seguin are able to be selected.
I see your point about building for the future and select players who will be excellent for years to come, even if next year is a learning year. I am convinced with a top draft pick and two more prudent trades, the Hurricanes can be in the thick of the playoff battle next season. I, too, would rather go for younger players in trades who can be competitive for years to come. It all depends on the draft, and two trades, or perhaps one trade and one signing of a UFA.
I think there will be too much dead weight to really contend next year, and not to mention too many young kids. If Rutherford it serious about a 50% turn over next season it’s going to take time to assimilate all those players in to a system and build team cohesion.
I’m also not sold on the idea of having Taylor Hall on the team next year. if it’s that big of a turn over why waste a year of that players entry level contract? So, while the team may draft Hall, I don’t know that he will be on the team next season.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
It will fascinating to watch the games coming up because with Staal’s leave of absence, the young Rats are going to be thrown into the battle full throttle. The lines are going to be very, very interesting. At www.carolinahurricanes.com Paul B. took his best guess at the lines.
If the Albany Rats hold their own during this stretch, then the likelihood is greater the Hurricanes can be contenders for getting into the playoffs. On the other hand, if they show their inexperience too much, it will tend to indicate the rebuilding may take longer. My belief is that Boychuk and Tlusty are as ready as Sutter to stay. Dwyer has been fine. I think Samson is like a young Scott Walker. He would run through the back wall full speed if that meant he would be kept in Carolina. We’ll see soon.
I also agree that if Taylor Hall is not able to be a top six player next season (assuming the Hurricanes draft him), he probably could use the time to develop without burning a year of entry level contracts. My best guess is that Taylor Hall will be able to play top six minutes like Tavares; but it really depends on his physical strength.
I am a little mystified I admit that so many people at Canes Country were not overly impressed with Taylor Hall. In my view, he showed speed, intensity, size, and a will to score that few players have even after years in the NHL. I doubt few teams would pass up the opportunity to draft him if they could. He has the kind of scoring talent and charisma that brings fans to the rink.
I don’t think this year will be an indication for next year when it comes to the Rats. They have nothing to lose, which changes how you play hockey. Not to mention the team will see a lot of back up goalies from here through the end of the season. I think the younger kids have shown a lot of promise, but not enough for me to think this team can compete next year even with a few free agent signings. Boychuk will be good, I don’t doubt that, but he doesn’t seem to me like he should yet be out of the AHL. He’s shown me more every time he’s been up, but I haven’t seen that jump that we’ve all seen out of Sutter.
Also, I think the team will be better off re-building over two years. So many more contracts are up after next season. McBain should be ready for the show come the 2011-2012 season. Add another top flight draft pick and this team looks primed to compete for the playoffs for a long time, not just do it once and a while.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
discounting any future injuries of course.
If there is one thing you can count on with this team, its some one missing significant time. The Rats will be back.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Jan 5, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Media moments just announced by the Canes:
Jim Rutherford will join The Insiders on 99.9 The Fan today at 4:25 and Zach Boychuk will be Mike’s guest on Canes Corner on 99.9 at 6:30. (I’m not sure if that’s in Apex or just the studio)
half a minute ago from web
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by Carolyn Christians on Jan 5, 2010 2:11 PM EST reply actions
That sucks for Walker, I hope he gets well soon. But I was hoping that management would call up Samson finally. Ah well.
I agree
I’m still not sure what the deal is with Samson. For some reason they don’t want him in a Canes jersey. He should’ve already been called up at least once.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
by canescup on Jan 5, 2010 3:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think it’s more of a development choice. Moving Tlusty and Boychuk up and down probably won’t affect their development, but moving Samson who is not a highly touted, high projection prospect could affect him adversely. I think the mindset is, if he’s having a good year in the AHL, let him keep that confidence. Tlusty and Boychuk have other successes to reinforce their abilities if a stint with the big club doesn’t go so well.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 5, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno … I just don’t know that he’s NHL material.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 5, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know if he’s NHL material either, but might as well cultivate the possibility of it as best as we can, rather than rushing the kid and hoping he is a steal. Odds are he’s a Keith Aucoin, dynamite in the AHL, not really an NHLer.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 5, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
I think Samson will get a chance this season. If my hunch is correct, Jim Rutherford will have some very familiar names moved. Samson has played quite well in the Albany Rats games I’ve seen. I have no idea whether his play translates to top six play; but he could do well on a fourth line. Kostopoulos is has been great in his roles. Yelle is gone next season, so I am thinking Samson might well take Yelle’s spot.
For me, I like Dodge in that role more than Samson.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 5, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I like Matt Kennedy in that role myself. I think Kennedy will make the team next year as a depth guy, at least be a first call-up.
I think Kennedy will need to polish the edges with the Rats first.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 5, 2010 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Nick Dodge is the name I’ve always heard as being destined for our fourth line.
Not huge in stature, but has some throw weight. Team captain for Clarkson. Very good on the penalty kill, including short-handed goal threat. Decent scorer.
And, most likely, affordable, which will be an important characteristic for fourth-line candidates as more money shifts upward in the lines on future teams.
So, here’s the official word from the Canes Twitter feed, if not announced officially elsewhere:
The Canes have recalled Boychuk + Tlusty from Albany. Both will practice tomorrow and fly with the team to Nashville.
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