Carolina Hurricanes' James Wisniewski suffers torn ACL, out for six months

Update 5:10 p.m.: The Canes have recalled Danny Biega from Charlotte. More to come.

For James Wisniewski, his season is likely over after just 47 seconds. For the Carolina Hurricanes, a season of modest hopes just took a significant turn for the worse.

The Canes announced Friday that Wisniewski suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Thursday's loss to the Predators in Nashville. Wisniewski, acquired in the summer in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Anton Khudobin, is expected to miss six months. If math isn't your thing, that's early April - or, as Bob pointed out earlier this afternoon, just in time for the playoffs.

Wisniewski's injury is a severe blow to a young Hurricanes' defense, which is now left with 34-year-olds Ron Hainsey and John-Michael Liles as the only defensemen older than age 25 on the roster. Wisniewski will count $5.5 million against the Hurricanes' salary cap this season, and $5 million in actual salary. He is signed through the end of next season on a deal with a no-trade clause that will pay him $3 million in 2016-17.

Cory discussed the implications of Wisniewski's injury in his Game Analysis of last night's game. Bottom line, the Canes' defense is about to get even younger.

The release from the team is below.

WISNIEWSKI TO UNDERGO SURGERY ON LEFT KNEE

Defenseman suffered torn ACL early in Thursday’s game

Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that defenseman James Wisniewski will undergo surgery on his left knee after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Thursday night’s game in Nashville. Recovery time for the injury is estimated at six months.

Acquired by the Hurricanes on June 27 from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Anton Khudobin, Wisniewski skated just 47 seconds of his Hurricanes debut prior to suffering the injury. Wisniewski, 31, is in his 11th NHL season, after totaling eight goals and 26 assists (34 points) in 69 games with Columbus and Anaheim in 2014-15. The Canton, MI, native was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 552 career NHL regular-season games with Chicago, Anaheim, the New York Islanders, Montreal, Columbus and Carolina, totaling 53 goals and 221 assists (274 points) and 459 penalty minutes.