For Erik Cole, it was a start, nothing more or less.
For the first time since suffering his leg fracture, the Canes' forward was back on the ice with his teammates, going through today's morning skate at the RBC Center. Cole wore a gold, non-contact jersey, but he was skating and cutting and getting in some work.
"It was just a pregame skate so we knew it wouldn't be anything too strenuous," Cole said. "I was on the ice beforehand, so it was to see if I could do some regular drills, the skating drills."
Cole was injured Oct. 3, in the Canes' second game of the regular season against the Boston Bruins. With less than three minutes to play, he collided with the Bruins' Dennis Wideman near the boards, with Wideman's right leg banging into Cole's left leg.
Replays of the hit made it appear as if Cole hyperextended the knee, and he said today that he first believed it was more serious -- possibly a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
"I thought for sure it would be an ACL injury," he said. "The pain was on the outside of my knee, where the fracture is. I was sure that's what it was.
"I was praying for a cartilage tear, or something like that. I think for what it could have been it's a pretty good scenario."
The initial prognosis was that Cole would be out 4-6 weeks, and the Hurricanes placed on the injured reserve list on Saturday. And he's not sure how close he is to rejoining the lineup, not just a skate or drills.
"It depends," he said. "Right now it feels pretty swollen. You can't sit there and say 'I feel good' or 'I feel close' when you haven't pushed it as far as you need to."
Canes coach Paul Maurice said he thought Cole "skated real hard and very well."
"We know the importance to the team," he said. "It's not even in the scoresheet. It's the speed, the open ice for other players. It changes, visually, how our team looks. Because even on the nights when you're grinding and things aren't easy, his speed shows. ...
"And there's personality. He fits here. He's part of our group and when he's back on the ice with this group, firing around on defense, it changes the mood."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Figures!
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 12:20 — WAStoutMo would say "firing around on defense, it changes the mood." No mention of offense comes out of his mouth.
Oh well!
Welcome back Cole...make sure you are 100%.
Comments
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 16:07 — GoShelfI think you're reading a little too much into what he is saying, how this turned into a debate about PM's coaching strategy is beyond me. All he is saying is Cole has been missed, he's a very important part of our team, who brings a special element to the locker room as well as on the ice. We especially miss his speed, it puts a lot of pressure on our opponents all over the ice. No doubt Cole's been missed, what team wouldn't miss one of their 1st line wingers.
Maurice and Coaching Philosophy
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 15:04 — abramsdougMany more NHL games are lost as a result of wooden-headed plays than are won by all-world moves and shots. Dean Smith was famous for telling his players to play within their limits and to trust his system. If the Hurricanes had a stable of superstars, I might well disagree with Maurice's approach; but I think the Hurricanes are the most successful when as a team, shift after shift, they outwork and outstake their opponents.
I think Mo's strategy is
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 14:37 — ctillI think Mo's strategy is "before you can win a game, you have to not lose it".
Great news !!
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 11:44 — esteban1949sp the " fracture" wasn't as pronounced or as serious as we had thought !! very good indeed...and yes with him just being there on the ice...should pick everybodies spirits...including Yelle's BTW Chip, is he going to dress or is he going to be a " healthy Scratch" ?? thanks Chip
Go Canes !!