Canes forward Jussi Jokinen, who injured a leg in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Tampa Bay, will be sidelined about three to four weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.
Rutherford said forward Drayson Bowman would be recalled from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).
Jokinen awkwardly twisted his left leg early in the third period as he fell back over the Lightning's Ryan Shannon. Jokinen is the Canes' second-leading scorer with nine points.
"It didn't look good and it isn't good," Rutherford said of the injury. "We'll know more after Jussi sees the doctor again today and the time could change. But it will not change to less time."
Forward Zac Dalpe has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since the Canes' Oct. 14 game against the Buffalo Sabres. Dalpe has returned to practice and Canes coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday he was close to being back in full-contact work.
Rutherford said Dalpe would be assigned to the Checkers in the short term for conditioning work.
"He's cleared to play but we want him to get in a few games in Charlotte to get his timing back," Rutherford said. "If Zac plays well and feels well he won't be there very long."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Question to DSittler
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 20:18 — smhockeyIs Larose being played 1st line because:
1. Team is too short on talent to load 1st line?
2. He's being "showcased" to be dealt?
3. Front office has a love affair with the guy?
4. PK is overly loyal with a $1.7mm guy.
I can't believe they don't see the shortcomings.
Thank You
Opinion
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 22:23 — sittler27Wish I knew. Team has talent options so not 1. Doubt it is 2. I have been around JR and Mo when they have spoken about him and know they think highly of him. During the All Star weekend they had him represent the team at several functions. And 4. is also a possibility.
These guys are not stupid. They did not get to where they are without assessing talent and situations. Maybe it will become evident later. Heck is LaRose scores 2 goals against the Caps maybe we are all they ones that don't get it.
Playing the Guy With the Hot Hand
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 23:20 — abramsdougI will say that I am a firm believer in playing the guy with the hot hand even if he does not have the pedigree of another player. I harken back to days I played basketball and football. My father would yell at me asking me "why don't you show them your scrapebook, that will intimidate them" when he thought I was playing like trash. Sports is as much art as it is science. So while LaRose has the hot hand, and he does now, let him run with it for as long as he can. I don't ask why or look for logic. Sometimes the puck is a magnet for a player. Hockey is crazy that way. Goals off lucky bounces count just as much as highlight reel, Skinner goals.
sittler27 has it right yet again. The people making decisions are professionals. Maybe, and I'd say hopefully, at some point their reasoning will become evident. Maybe it's as simple as they had a gut feeling LaRose was ready to get two goals. Stranger things have happened in the hockey world.
Hot is hot
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 02:48 — CanarseI hope he does get hot. Chris Simon did once score 29 goals, so anything can, and does, happen.
The 3
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 16:46 — hellfishThere's 3 forwards the team could'nt afford anything to happen too just happened too one of them ...Jokinen does everything ,but sharpen skates and drive the Zamboni ,and the team is in trouble if the young guy's can't fill the void left by Jokinen not being in the lineup. Imo i'd rather have Bowman/Boychuk on the top 2 lines and drop Tlusty and LaRose back to the 3rd and 4th lines ,and i don't see putting both on the 4th line for 6-8 TOI a game being effective for the team ,or the players that's just me.
Tlusty
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 19:22 — sittler27What part of Tlusty's game have you not liked? He has earned his ice time and I would rate him ahead of both Bowman and Boychuk. But agree with you on LaRose.
Tlusty
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 10:32 — hellfishTlusty has been good of late ,but he has been playing with Staal ,and i just want to see Bowman/Boychuk get the same chance to play on the top 2 lines to really get a feel where there at when playing with a high end center ,also LaRose and Tlusty would be more easily placed back on lines with players that they have played with before ,really just a team familiarity as far as lines go NOT just bagging on Tlusty ,but Bowman/Boychuk need to play with more skilled player's to take more advantage of there play making ability...I would feel comfortable playing Bowman on any line especially the power play ,he proved last year he can play in any situation.
Bowman
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 14:10 — CanarseI can see why you would like to see Boychuck given a chance on a scoring line, but Bowman? Bowman has not been a major scoring threat since moving to minor league hockey. He appears to be more suited for checking duties. Tlusty has earned his shot this season. So far, so good.
Hope The Juice Heals Fast
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 12:18 — WAStoutWe need him.
Please, please, please play one or more Checkers on a SCORING line. Let's see what these guys can do!
What would make sense is to
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 14:32 — sittler27What would make sense is to move Skinner to center and put Boychuk on the left wing to see what he can do. He has looked much improved to me. Alternatively move Stewart to the left wing and slide Ruutu to center.
Calling up Bowman may be an encouraging sign. Bowman played a solid two way game last year when called up so I can see him on the 4th line with Brent and Stewart and Boychuk moving up. I wouldn't mess with Sutter's line and reluctantly we may have to stick with LaRose with Staal. I hate that for Eric. Sure LaRose scored a couple of goals... the first was all hustle on his part so good for him. The second was all Tlusty. But what about the play where he has the puck and Staal blasts past his D to create a two on one with him charging hard to the far post. Chad fires it belly high right into Roloson. That is the worst place you can put that shot..... along the ice far side is text book.... if you don't score your partner (Staal) has the chance at the rebound. And Chad missed two other golden scoring opportunites created by his linemates. Chad is a quarter horse beign asked to race with a thoroughbred.
Staal is in a scoring slump
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 15:01 — sftwareguyand he needs some help. No one can fault his effort. He plays as hard as anyone and you see all kinds of things he does on defense and the PP and PP kill that mean almost as much as a goal or three. They got a really good team when they play hard and seems to be one winger short on the 1st line. Cole was kind of that guy last year.
Amen!
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 14:55 — richardfocThose were my exact thoughts on last night's game regarding LaRose. I'm glad he scored two goals but with any finishing ability he could have had more. Very frustrating to see him in those positions with the puck and know that he doesn't have the skill to put them home. It's telling that most peoples reactions to Skinner's goals (especially the first one) is "Wow, what talent!" while reactions to LaRose's goals is "Nice hustle." And as we all know hustle is good but it's talent that feeds the bulldog.
First Line
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 16:53 — ptuckerExactly! I don't think that anyone dislikes LaRose. We all appreicate his character and effort, but it's baffling that the coach will not make a change even when the whole NHL world knows that LaRose is not capable of playing with Staal. The analysts were even speaking to this on Versus last night after the Caps/Ducks game. Staal almost even seems tentative to me. It's like he's nervous to try to be too creative because he's unsure of what his linemates will be able to handle, and is afraid it might go back the other way and cost the Canes a goal. You can't have one of your top offensive forwards playing like that, especially now. With Jokinen out for an extended period, we are going to have to have consistent scoring from the top line! Here's to hoping for consistent efforts from this team, and positive changes from the coach and/or GM.
Go Canes!
Ouch
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:43 — ptuckerWell, this is unfortunate. The Jokinen line is the best Canes line, and will take a major hit without the Juice's playmaking and creativity. Obviously, we are all hopeful that he will be back sooner rather than later. It's also a great opportunity for a Checker call-up to bring his A-game and show that he can become a contributor to this team.
GO CANES!