Jiri Tlusty was on the ice today at the RecZone and Chad LaRose was not for the Canes' practice.
LaRose was in the building. You could hear him. And coach Paul Maurice said the winger would play Wednesday in the home opener against the Washington Capitals.
"He'll be fine for the morning skate," Maurice said. "We're in-season, so that means there's always guys who can get a little better if they don't skate. But he'll be fine for the morning skate and the game."
With LaRose out, Patrick O'Sullivan worked on Eric Staal's line opposite Jussi Jokinen. Tlusty, recalled today from Charlotte (AHL), was on Pat Dwyer's line.
Maurice said he wanted to monitor Tlusty in a few more practices to gauge when he would be ready to be put in the lineup. Tlusty is coming off major knee surgery for an injury that occurred in the AHL playoffs last season. He played in five games with the Checkers during his conditioning stint.
"The knee feels really good," Tlusty said. "There was a little soreness after games but no swelling during the games. There were times when I felt a half-second behind the play, which you can't be. But things are going well. I feel good."
Tlusty said he would required to wear a knee brace for as many as two years.
"He's got an injury that takes anywhere from four to six months to make right," Maurice said. "He's worked really hard and he looks good out there. But he will have to get into a few more practices and eventually a game."
A few players mentioned that the recent 11-day trip Wetst has caused another adjustment in that their internal clocks still are stuck on Pacific time and three hours behind.
"It's different," Brandon Sutter said with a smile. "Sleep's been a bit tricky the last few days. But I think we do feel like we're home now and kind of settled in. ... I think mentally we're pretty sharp."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
