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Another game, another injury. Canes coach Peter Laviolette said this morning that defenseman Tim Conboy may miss up to two weeks after being injured in Saturday's game at Philadelphia.

Conboy went crashing into the boards early in the game and was helped from the ice with an apparent shoulder injury. But Laviolette said it was a "torso injury" and not the shoulder.

(UPDATE: Conboy said he tore some cartilage under his rib cage but hoped to be back in a week or so).

"He pulled something," Laviolette said. "It's going to be one of those nagging things. It's probably going to be a couple of weeks for him. He's in a lot of pain right now."

Boychuk, the Canes' first-round draft choice this year, has been held out of contact to allow his left wrist to fully heal. Boychuk had surgery on the wrist in July and a screw was inserted.

Boychuk hoped to be allowed to play in a preseason game but said today the screw may have to be removed this week.

"It's almost like the wrist is healing too fast," the forward said. "If the screw has to come out, I'll be on the shelf another two weeks."

Rod Brind'Amour, Ray Whitney, Tuomo Ruutu and Anton Babchuk all skated this morning after the scheduled practice session. Brind'Amour said he may not return until the Oct. 10 opener but didn't completely rule out playing in a preseason game.