Staal to miss at least three games
Eric Staal has been a constant in the Carolina lineup for all but one game of his career, but he's going to miss at least the next three games.
Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice described the "upper body" injury that knocked Staal out of Sunday's loss as a "week to week" proposition after practice on Tuesday.
"I wouldn't say several (weeks)," Maurice said, but noted Staal would miss at least this weekend's games.
Staal missed the Hurricanes' game at Pittsburgh on March 19, 2004, near the end of his rookie season, with what was described then as a "torso" injury.
He was back in the lineup the next night in Ottawa, and every game since, 349 regular-season and 43 playoff games in total, until Wednesday's game at the Florida Panthers.
Staal has played through some serious injuries over that period of time, and hasn't been at full strength yet this season. "He's been laboring," Maurice acknowledged Tuesday.
Jussi Jokinen will be asked to take on a larger role in Staal's absence, centering Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu in practice.
About the blogger
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
Stepping it up...
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 15:19 — procellaeMaybe with Staal gone, some of the other plays will step up their play and help get this team on the right track. i.e. Brindy being out last season for the SJ game, and we all know how that turned out.
If it came
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:30 — esteban1949down to what was and is in the best intrests of the player as well as the team..He'd sit and heal until he was ready physically...as i am afraid that what ever it is or was bothering him to keep him out was possibly left over from last season and like a deep deep muscle bruise...those things have a funny habit of showing up again when one is better prepared for such a thing...but i am also concerned about Mr. leg fracture...and if he came back 2-3 weeks too soon as well...So with all of that said...all we fans can do is hope for the best, and that the Canes efforts will be better than Florida's best...enjoy the sun shine everybody...
Gop Canes !!
Trade Staal
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:09 — hockey101If Staal is supposed to be the franchise player for this team he sure has been M.I.A. since the 05-06 season. Sit him out longer so he'll realize how important he is to this franchise. Paying him all this money sure hasn't panned out. TRADE HIM.
Staal is without question
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 16:50 — drewkStaal is without question the best non-goaltender on the team. He is a bona fide No.1 center. That being said, he is a streaky player. But he's in his mid-20s and has the ability to dominate opposing defenses.
IR? Does a young guy come up?
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:49 — wxray1So does he go on the IR to make room for a youngster?
I know the whole "RFA/UFA" clock thing is tricky, but there may possibilities to get one of these guys up.
Or does he just eat the roster spot and not pay the price for a call up? (JR/PK are cheap after all.)
Or does he call up Dwyer, the old stand by who's clock is running anyway?
Any idea?
Streak.
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:36 — dustinlammersIt's too bad Eric's streak has to end, but not playing 100% is hurting the team which expects and needs so much from him. Here's to hoping this time off will help all the nagging injuries and he comes back to a team that has at least 5 wins.
Dude!
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:40 — WAStoutWe need him back in November not January!
Sorry - couldn't resist that.
Here's to a speedy recovery - and come back at 100% not 90%.