Canes forward Erik Cole is expected to miss two to three weeks with an upper-body injury and forward Chad LaRose three to four weeks with a lower-body injury. Both will be placed on injured reserve, the team said.
Forwards Patrick Dwyer and Jiri Tlusty will be on the ice for the Canes’ morning skate today at the Verizon Center, and are eligible to play tonight against the Washington Capitals.
"He's been dealing with some pain," Canes coach Paul Maurice said today of Cole, who ha a hat trick Saturday in the 5-3 win over Vancouver. "Interestingly enough, he's played his best hockey through it. We've got to let it settle down, for long-term reasons, that he's a good player for us the rest of the year.
"We've had our share of injuries this year but I think the more significant story is the number of players who have been playing through things, and he's one of them. He and LaRose both, we got to the point we have to let their injuries settle down."
The Canes obtained Tlusty from the Toronto Maples Leafs in a Dec. 3 trade for the rights to forward Philippe Paradis, the team's No. 1pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He played in 74 career NHL regular-season games with the Maple Leafs, scoring 10 goals and earning 10 assists (20 points).
Maurice said Dwyer probably would alternate between lines with centers Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour.
"Tlusty we will probably put in with Brandon Sutter and leave him there -- two
young guys," Maurice said. "He's new to us. I've seen him play and had him in Toronto. We think he's going to be a good player for us."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
All the doom and gloom in
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 09:16 — Otag1All the doom and gloom in these posts is just to negative. The team played pretty well last night, and for the last month, we may have won with a healthy Cole, LaRose, and Samsonov in the lineup. Staal played well and has been coming on, playing better each game since his return from the IR. Wardo is back and looks good. If we can get healthy and stay healthy we can compete. The team has been playing better for the last month. The D has been better. We are scoring more goals and taking fewer penalties. Special teams are looking up. This team is not done yet and should not be written off. Do you all realize we are only 12 points out of the #8 playoff spot in the Eastern conference. The teams ahead of us battling for the 8th playoff spot are not so great either. ( Montreal, Tampa, Rangers, Florida, Philly, Islanders, & Toronto ) Only Philly and the Rangers have games in hand, NY 1 and Philly has 2. The season has a long way to go, 51 games. Call me a dreamer but we can still get in the playoffs, it will just take a long climb up the standings to the 8th playoff spot. We need to play 1 game at a time, 1 period, 1 shift at a time and continue to play consistent hockey. We need the win in Ottawa tonight, which would give us 5 points in the standings on this road trip, which I believe is pretty impressive. I will not give up just yet on this team. Go CANES.
Loyalty is a magnificient
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 10:59 — SkylinerLoyalty is a magnificient attribute and one must respect your belief in the team's long term viablity, but my tea leaves look a tad different from yours.
Oh where are my rose-colored glasses when I need them?
Admittedly, the Hurricanes have looked like a different team in the past 4 games, playing hard and well enough to beat two good teams, Vancouver and Pittsburgh, and staying with two other good teams, New Jersey and Washington. I enjoyed all of those games.
But based on a survey of available talent, my personal belief is that we do not have sufficient personnel to take us much further up the division ladder. And if we did, to what end?
Doubtful we will make the playoffs and what would it profit us if we did get to number 9 (don't think we'll climb much higher) and that would only result in pushing us further down the talent line in the draft.
I share your optimism about the future of the Hurricanes...it's just is what we seem to have a varying view of how long the future is...you thinking in terms of this year...and me, next and the nect, and the next, etc.
On an immediate note, I'm pleased with what I've seen from Brett Carson and Jiri Tluston (hopefully those initial performances will hold up over time) and if we add another competitive player of two via draft or trade we may well be in tall cotton next year.
But as for this year, I'm resolved to enjoy the Hurricanes regardless of how they play and hope that somewhere along the line we divest ourselves of Aaron Ward and Rod Brind'Amour.
Perhaps Mr. Rutherford shyould go shopping in Chicago. The Blackhawks are talent heavy and cap heavy, having just inked 3 marquis players to long term and heavy contracts. That plus the $$$ they pay Hossa and Campbell puts them far beyond cap jeopardy. They HAVE to move some good players out.
Just a thought.
But you are right Otag 1, it is important to remain as positive as possible and give an approving hand of applause to those players and coaches who are trying so hard to give us a winning team.
Ok Otag1
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 09:49 — esteban1949i understand and respect your point but you have to admit that the Canes when they were healthy didn't play worth beans...Yes they are doing lots better, and could,would or might be able to play better IF all those wounded warriors were back in the line up and playing & playing better..and theoritically and on paper you could,would or might be correct about the canes towards the end of the season too...but I do agree with you 1000% that the Canes as a team does have to break it down to one game & etc...at a time...looking ahead at this time wouldn't be a good thing...have a safe week end...and watch out for those holidayt shopping crowds...
Go Canes
Oh my
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 07:39 — esteban1949This NOT Good news...i was reading late yesterday an article from the MSN Business end...and it had an article called 10 companies you may not see in 10 years...and it seems that #10 on the list ia The McClatchy Group/Company which owns & operates the N&O here..but other bigger name glad rags ( news papers) accross the nation...it seems it could, or might be in a sadr fiscal posistion than some would think...as the author of the artical says or claims the the McClatchy group is close to defaulting on it's loans...Now and IF that is true...that would explain why Chip's & Luke's travel budget has been slashed to the bone and the web geeks don't always post road games here in the Canes Now section after getting the story and photos from the AP...now for me, as a fan, that would explain a few thngs...So with that said...let's be like the boy scouts and be prepared huh ?? Here is the link to that article (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/7-companies-that-may-not-see-2020.aspx?page=2)
And ..last nights games was winable, but the canes didn't play the 3rd period exactly as the they did in the first period...and Tim Gleason...Man what an iron horse that guy is...a shot to the face would have knocked out a lesser guy...If tim is married, i hope his wife loves scars...because from what i saw on TV...he is going to have a beauty of one...
Go Canes !!
Sending a Msg / Brind'Amour
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 17:37 — buffalo66thI don't like the feeble explanations about sitting Brind'Amour and to learn that LaRose and Cole are both going on IR for 3 weeks! This means they should have sat those guys and let Rod play (instead of saying that is a hockey decision).
If they want to send a message, sit Staal.
Sit Staal?
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 18:21 — CanarseHa! That's because Mo isn't allowed to sit Staal.
Time to rebuild
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 17:16 — heelzfanIt is time to stop this farce, and admit that the Canes are the worst team in the NHL, and move as many of these long-term contracts as possible. Once again, after the Canes make a deep playoff run, Rutherford gets all nostalgic, and re-signs everybody. Erik Cole should have never been re-signed. He is a shell of the player he once was 3 to 4 years ago. He didn't score a goal in the playoffs last year. Chad LaRose is a nice energy guy, who plays hard. Problem is, we have 3 or 4 guys just like him, with a higher ceiling, currently playing for Albany. He should never have been re-signed. We are the oldest team in the NHL, and boy is it showing.
What this team really needs is a change at the top. Jim Rutherford has been running this ship long enough. It's time to find somebody else to run the club, who's idea of improving the team isn't bringing back a former Cane, or re-signing a current player, who's clearly reached his peak and is heading downhill to an absurd contract out of a sense of loyalty. Show Rutherford the door, and tell him to take his own personal coach Paul Maurice with him. It's no coincidence that the Canes have hit new lows under his watch this year.
you have no idea what you're
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 19:00 — drailyou have no idea what you're talking about HEELZfan. Big surprise there. JR is widely regarded as one of the best GM's in the NHL. Its also no coincidence that this team has been to the Eastern Conf finals three times and the Cup finals twice in the last 7 years under JR. What other small market team has had that much success? And who would be your choice for a replacement? Dick Baddour?
Towel thrown
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 15:02 — wxray1This is a sign from JR that the season is definitely out of reach. No masking it anymore. I guess Peter K. went through a very "quick" panic since only a few weeks ago he wasn't panicking. Good for him, acceptance is here.
If they were close, these guys would continue playing.
I'm all for this. Get these guys healthy. Despite trade hopes, both recently signed multi year deals, and JR probably sees them as a part of the future. Get well.
Meanwhile, we get to see some young Turks. Should be fun to get a look at Tlusty.
Oh, I also guess this means more Brindy.
Kind of sad
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 15:20 — GoShelfIt's sad, I was really excited about this team during the summer, but the reality is we're not going to make the playoffs. It's just too many points to overcome. I'm fine with finishing last, this is a good year to do it, Tyler Seguin & Taylor Hall are studs; if we finished last we'd be pretty much guaranteed to get one of them. With letting a couple of our older guys walk, having our young guys (Rats) step up, adding a player (#1 or #2 pick), and filling the holes through free agency there's no reason we can't be on top of the Eastern Conference 2010-11. It's not like we have to rebuild our whole team, we just need a couple of pieces.
Rebuild
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 15:59 — CanarseYou really think that the Canes can rebuild and be ready to make a run next season? By the end of the season the Canes will likely have 5 quality players. (aka players other teams would want) Staal, Ward, Sutter, Gleason and Pitkanen. Maybe 6 if you include Jokinen.
The entire blue line is a question mark. When Corvo leaves through trade or at the end of the season the Canes will have 2 NHL quality defensemen. Two! The Canes inability to develop any defensive talent over the past 12 years is going to come back to bite them for the next several seasons.
This rebuild will take at least 2 or 3 seasons.
Rebuild
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 17:59 — abramsdougI absolutely could be mistaken, but I think the Hurricanes will have a better year in 2010-2011 than some people believe. In my view, with a top two or three draft choice, such as Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin, and the addition of players such as Boychuk, Tlusty, Bowman, Rodney, Carson and perhaps Harrison, the Hurricanes are a much, much more lethal team offensively and more sound defensively.
Additionally, it would seem quite feasible for the Hurricanes to obtain a young, big, fast scoring power forward via trade this season -- somebody with the size and skills of Nathan Horton.
Defensively, Pitkanen, Gleason, Corvo (if not traded), Alberts, Carson, Rodney,and Harrison are a strong defensive corps if they stay healthy. Next year not being saddled with the impossibly poor play of Aaron Wardin and of itself will be a tremendous help to the defense.
Alberts, Carson, Rodney and
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 18:25 — CanarseAlberts, Carson, Rodney and Harrison? All playing for the Hurricanes? LOL...and you think the d corps are bad now!
Hall and Seguin may be the top 2 prospects in the draft, but the Canes need a #1 defenseman in the worst way.
Harrison, Carson, and Alberts
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 19:52 — abramsdougHarrison, Carson and Alberts are on the ice now and doing well thus far; but there is no doubt the Hurricanes need to add some talent next year on defense. Still, I think it is a no-brainer to take Hall or Seguin if we can.
Yes, they're close
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 16:16 — hearthesoundI agree with the other comment. While you are right that the defense has been poor, it's not quite as bad as you think. The forwards will definitely be a solid group next year, assuming that one of either Whitney or Cullen is back. They youngsters may night light the league on fire, but their speed should be an improvement over the vets dragging out there. With regard to the defense, if you look at the salaries, Canes should have a good amount of room to add one or two above average D-men over the summer. If you think (like I do) that at least one of the Canes' defense prospects can make the jump next year, that gives the team 4-5 solid defenders, which is as good as most teams in the league since the salary cap.
hey Chip
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:47 — esteban1949This aint a good news bad news report is it ? On the down side it sounds lie a minor surgical thingy...and the good news is that the new kids will probably get some ice time to see if his work with the marlies and rats is as good as some of his stats say...but back to the down side...is things so unstable or would be for the rats if the Canes were to bring up Samsone ? And when will we hear if Manny or Michael get sent down ? As Murphy & Peter's are concerned as well...because who eve comesdown...one of them gets shipped out to Florida...gee all of this for the first round draft pick...hmmm somehow it don't seem worth it now...does it ?
Go Canes !!
and the theme continues...
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:45 — Shutyour5holeCole, LaRose and Corvo out
Can't seem to keep Cole and Stall on the ice together.
Chip.. If you get some time, I'd be very curious to know how many games this season we've had both Stall and Cole on the ice and what the record is.
And the Flyers
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:53 — esteban1949are still playing the Canes are ...And they got some bigger name players out too...gee i wonder if there is a connection ??
Go Canes !!......
????
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:29 — WAStoutWhy don't they bring up Samson? I want to see this kid that is doing well in the AHL.
Something to do with the clock ticking or NHL time?
Don't get me wrong - nothing negative about Dwyer...but he just seems like a space filler to me...
Dwyer
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:14 — Biff_BeersDwyer's having a big year with the Rats (and so is Samson). With LaRose out, the Canes probably wanted a guy who could help kill penalties. That might be part of the reason Dwyer got the call up over Samson.
Also
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 14:08 — GoShelfSpot on with Dwyer, Samon vs Tlusty: they have to believe Tlusty has more upside than Samson.
Surgery
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:21 — dgsiiincSounds like one or both have undergone a surgical procedure.
Kidding
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 10:52 — GoShelfYou've got to be kidding me.