Canes coach Paul Maurice said today that center Eric Staal may be able to return to the lineup next week.
Staal has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury. He had played 349 consecutive regular-season games, the second-longest active streak in the NHL, before missing the Florida game on Nov. 4.
"We really want to make sure we don't put him back in and this thing get reaggravated," Maurice said. "We can't go through this again. We need him to come back and play and play his big minutes."
A day after their first win in more than a month, the Canes were missing several players for today's practice at the RBC Center. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Scott Walker, both injured in the 5-4 shootout win over Minnesota, were not at practice and will not make the trip to Montreal for Tuesday's game, Maurice said.
Stephane Yelle, injured late in the game blocking a shot, was back at practice. Defenseman Aaron Ward, who missed the Wild game, is expected to return.
Maurice said Michael Leighton, who started and was the winner against the Wild, will start against the Habs. Manny Legace, signed by the Canes last Monday, started two games before Leighton got his shot Sunday.
"Both guys are nursing little things," Maurice said. "We expect Mike to be able to play."
What does a win do for a team after 14 games without one?
"We've been dealing with a horrible set of circumstances and a
cloud that has been over us," Maurice said. "We've said for two weeks
we weren't looking for style points, we just need to get a win and find
a way to do it. ...
"It should lift the spirits a little bit. Now we can focus on tomorrow and leave that behind us."
The streak, that is. What the Canes want now is their first road win of the season.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Would hate to see Cullen go,
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 13:33 — ctillWould hate to see Cullen go, but it depends on who the Canes would get in return. If it's inevitable that Cullen goes to Chicago, it would be nice to get Andrew Ladd back. Ladd can play the type of power forward game that Cole does, or did.
Don't worry about next week...
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 13:08 — gf101112...Worry about tonight!!! It's going to take a heroic TEAM effort to win this game. Without Pitkanen and Walker, EVERY player MUST give 100% every second of every shift. How about Mr. Kostoupoulous??? Should be a big night for him. Go Caniacs!!! Go TEAM!!!
Article in Montreal Press on Hurricanes
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 11:41 — abramsdougHere's the link for an article in the Montreal press about the Hurricanes:
http://habsinsideout.com/main/24269
Here is an except:
• Carolina finally won a game on Sunday against Minnesota, but it's still a pretty dismal picture right now. A 14-game losing streak that just ended, dead last in the NHL, 72 goals against, and crippling injuries that have their two top stars (Staal & Ward) on the sidelines. Even when they were in the lineup, Staal and Ward were in the middle of terrible slumps. The Canes weren't as good as everyone thought last year (33-19-5 under coach, Paul Maurice) and probably aren't as bad as they appear right now. Regardless, GM Jim Rutherford, is faced with a major decision. Does he wait it out and add a few new players (the Canes are also up against the cap) or face the fact that his team is too old (average age is 30) and needs to be rebuilt? It's a tough call in light of the fact that the Hurricanes are in a soft market that may not be able to handle a few years of missing the playoffs.
• An inability to score goals was a big part of this year's tough start. In fact, up until the Minnesota game, the Canes' PP was 0-26. They also have been out shot 23-10 during the 2nd periods which put many games out of reach even before they were half over. The core of the offense is underperforming and aging quickly at the same time. Ray (Wizard) Whitney (6/7/13) still has some gas left in the tank but is now 37. He relies on his speed so he can't afford to lose a step. Rod Brind'Amour (2/5/7/-16) is 39 and is starting to really breakdown. He was -23 last year and isn't quite the factor in games that he once was. A great face-off man, his role is changing as he drops down the depth chart. Matt Cullen (3/5/8-10) is a good, consistent two way player but really wouldn't be part of any rebuilding project. He's being actively pursued by the Blackhawks. Eric Cole (one goal in 9 games) is 30 going on 40 but would be an attractive pick-up for a playoff team at the deadline. He's one of those players who's reputation is greater than his performance on the ice. Same goes for Scott Walker (2/2/4) who is 36. Then there's the player who's name I can't bare to type. The great enigma has 2 goals and 7 points (-11) and gets tons of time on the top lines. He was just re-signed in 2008 so I'm not sure if he will be going anywhere soon. He's not the type of player you can trust or rely on. Memories of his time in Montreal still brings out the dark side of me.
Can't bare[sic] to read
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 13:42 — wxray1Actually, the guy has some good points, although they may be difficult to accept from our perspective. I think it is worth a read.
He lost me with "bare to type", however. Then again, he probably writes and speaks French, and I don't, so who am I to criticize?
This vitriol over former players, and just the Canes in general is something I'll probably never understand. It is a Montreal thing. I know if I were ever in the NHL, no way would I want to work under that microscope.
"bare to type" refers to
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 16:39 — CanenutKostoupoulous. He played in Montreal last year. I guess they hate it when someone leaves and comes back. Maybe he will have a big game against his old team.
Go Canes Go!
Sergi
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 17:37 — garybdiverI actually I think it's Sergi. He played there before going to Chicago.
Bull
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:15 — raleighcanesfanAfter reading that sanctimonious biased Canadian bull crap, I don't know why the Canes even bothered to travel to Montreal for this game. It's clear that they have no chance against the Habs. Why even play the game? In fact, why not just call the season over? They need to come back to Raleigh and move into a senior citizen home - on Tobacco Road, indeed. Unless of course JR trades the team en masse.
Yes, I'm being sarcastic.
Agree
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 16:34 — hockey101I agree Rod should sit. His plus/minus rating is horrible to say the least. He needs to man up and consider retiring after the season. But all this probably want happen because Paul and JR don't have the guts to tell him. Samsonov needs to play on someones line to jump start him to put goals in the net.
Samsonov played very well
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 18:55 — drewkSamsonov played very well yesterday. While he can be guilty of over-stickhandling at times, his passing and vision are arguably the best on the team (Staal and Whitney are up there with him). He had several passes in yesterday's game that created excellent scoring opportunities. I think Maurice could probably generate additional offense out of Samsonov by playing him with better finishers (i.e., not with Brind'amour and LaRose).
Samsonov Playing Well
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 19:37 — abramsdougDrewk, I completely agree. I think Samsonov's productivity has been dramatically undermined by having to play on a line with teammates who have very poor hands and who don't finish. He is not without his flaws; but he has laid some beautiful passes onto the sticks of Brind'Amour and LaRose only to see the scoring chances get squandered. I dont think there is a statistic for perfect pass bounced off the stick of a teammate with hands of concrete. Even Peyton Manning can't make his receivers catch perfectly thrown passes.
great news...
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 14:43 — esteban1949About Staal...now what about Conboy ?? what is his status ?
Go Canes !!
Think he's still around.
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 19:26 — SkylinerYour multiple inquiries about Conboy leads me to believe that you might be as interested in him as I am. He is not known as the finest talent, but the guy brings his heart to the arena every time he steps on the ice.
He has passion, drive, desire and plays as best as he can. I feel, given a chance, that he might be able to contribute to this team. I'd surely place him on the ice to replace one of our D-men or even give him (some) chances up front. He can go both ways.
But about this waiver thing...not sure. Don't we keep him if he clears after 24 hours? That being the case, he's still listed on the roster and there's been no announcement, to my knowledge, of his departure.
Trade
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:31 — MsPounceI honestly think a trade will happen to free up some line space. Who's to say though?
After Staal Returns, What will the Lines Be
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:01 — abramsdougChip,
When Staal returns, what do you think the lines will be?
I'm not Chip but based on
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:15 — dustinlammersI'm not Chip but based on merit the lines should look like this:
Cole-Staal-Ruutu
Whitney-Cullen-Sutter
Jokinen-Samsonov-LaRose
Kostoupoulous-Yelle-Walker
Obviously Brind'Amour is left off, no way he can bump anyone else. If they send Sutter down that is a big mistake.
Lines on Staal's return
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:26 — abramsdougHow would you feel about:
Sutter-Staal-Ruutu
Whitney-Cullen-Cole
Samsonov-Jokinen-Walker
Kostoupoulous-Yelle-LaRose
Note: I personally agree with leaving Brind'Amour in the pressbox; but if it is not feasible to do so:
Sutter-Staal-Ruutu
Whitney-Cullen-Cole
Samsonov-Jokinen-Walker
Kostoupoulous-Brind'Amour-LaRose
Sutter has played very much
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:55 — dustinlammersSutter has played very much like the Erik Cole of yesterday. He has the speed to chase down pucks, he's physical and drives hard to net every time. These lines would appease me very much.
I agree
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 15:12 — Canes73I was just thinking on Sunday how much Sutter reminds me of Cole and Staal from '06 the way he drives to the net with the puck. I'm hoping Staal returns to this form when he gets back from his injury.