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Walker out, no cuts made yet
by David Lee on 10/06/08 at 06:20 PM ET
Comments (4)
Today, I expected to hear some news about final cuts made to the Hurricanes roster. Instead, I came home to learn that forward Scott Walker will be out of the lineup for the next six weeks. Walker, who has become more of a hothead with every passing month, injured his left hand in a fight during last Sunday’s preseason game in Philly. He had surgery today and will miss the first quarter of the season.
Things were starting to look a little better on the injury front, but this will throw a wrench in the opening night plans.
No cuts have been made, and the roster stands at 28, but free agent tryout Dan LaCouture was signed to a two-way one-year contract today. The 31-year old has played in a total of 326 NHL games with five different teams, and has been out of the NHL since 2006-07. According to all reports, he came into camp in terrific shape and has impressed the coaches all along.
At this point, anyone’s guess is just as good as mine, but here’s my updated projections for the opening night lines:
Ray Whitney / Eric Staal / Patrick Eaves
Sergei Samsonov / Rod Brind’Amour / Tuomo Ruutu
Chad LaRose / Matt Cullen / Tim Conboy
Wade Brookbank / Brandon Sutter / Ryan Bayda
Joni Pitkänen / Tim Gleason
Joe Corvo / Dennis Seidenberg
Frantisek Kaberle / Anton Babchuk
Cam Ward
Michael Leighton
Tim Conboy is a converted defenseman, but was very impressive every time he was called up for emergency duty last season. He’s only played in two preseason games, but I’m hoping that they like him well enough to keep him around.
This rash of injuries could also make things quite interesting for first round draft choice and recent signee Zach Boychuk. He can play as many as nine games in Carolina before his contract comes into play. At that point, he can go back to juniors and the Hurricanes don’t pay a dime, or he can stay on board and his full salary kicks in.
I projected Walker at 44 (17/27) points this season, and that won’t be happening. Nor will the 73 (36/37) that I projected for Justin Williams. The good news is that the 32 (16/16) that I projected for Patrick Eaves might be lower than his actual production. Don’t get me started on Chad LaRose. I projected his scoring at 30 (15/15).
Whenever the final roster cuts are made, I’ll revisit my scoring projections to account for the long-term injuries to Justin Williams and Scott Walker.
Filed in: Carolina Hurricanes, NHL Hockey | Red and Black Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Carolina+Hurricanes, injuries, Scott+Walker,
Comments
My guess is LaCouture on the 4th line, Bayda to the 3rd line and Conboy as the odd man out. But who knows at this point. There is still 4 whole days until opening night and at the rate this team is going, that probably means 2 more forwards will be injured.
I disagree with the characterization of Walker as a hothead. But I won’t hate on you like TG did. No way.
Posted by caneshockeyfan on 10/06/08 at 06:35 PM ET
Maybe I’m wrong to say that Walker is a “hothead”, but I think he takes way too many penalties due to his over-aggression. He was one of only ten players in the league to receive a match penalty last season, and he absolutely deserved it when he head-butted Chris Neil last season.
When you’re as injury-prone as Walker is, and you’re playing on a team with injury woes, and you’re a top nine forward, it doesn’t really make sense to go looking for fights like he sometimes does. At least not when there are guys like Brookbank and the Tims around.
I like the way he goes to the mat for his teammates, but he’s overzealous in his pursuit of frontier justice.
CHF, you might be right. I’ve heard so much buzz about LaCouture, but I really like Conboy, so I’d like to see him make the final roster, even if it is as a healthy scratch.
Posted by David Lee from Greensboro, NC on 10/06/08 at 07:14 PM ET
Good point wrt the head butt last season. That was a bit out of character for Walker though. I do agree with you that he has stepped up his edge and willingness to ‘go’. This team needs that though. The message wouldn’t have been quite as effective had we let the 2 enforcers tangle a few shifts after that hit on Cullen.
Posted by caneshockeyfan on 10/06/08 at 07:55 PM ET
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About Red & Black Hockey
David Lee is a restaurant manager with an unused degree in political science. He can be found at Carolina Hurricanes games, Scrabble tournaments and indie-rock shows. Sometimes, all in the same day.
David has contributed to CBC.ca for their Stanley Cup playoff coverage in 2006 and to the New York Times Slapshot blog for theirs in 2008. Red and Black Hockey was founded in July of 2005.
Walker a hot head? He injured his hand, taking up for Cullen when he got blindsided in the game against Philly. I think Walker is a good team guy and is alway the first person there when are guys are getting pushed around. If he’s a hot head it is because our guys are getting pushed around not because he just get’s mad for no reason. I really didn’t like your assessment of Walker and it’s a disgace you call yourself a Hurricanes fan, but it doesn’t surprise me since most of this is Red Wings love on this website.
Posted by TG on 10/06/08 at 06:21 PM ET