Walker has positive mindset

Scott Walker has been in the NHL a long time but never had a season quite like last season.

The Canes' veteran forward broke his hand in a fight in a preseason game. He suffered a concussion that knocked him out a big chunk of games in the regular season.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, it was learned Walker's wife, Julie, had cervical cancer. There was his punchout of Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward, who is now back with the Canes. Then came his emotional Game 7 overtime goal that beat the Bruins.

Given all that, what about this season?

"I feel comfortable that I'm where I need to be," Walker said today after working out at the RecZone. "A great mindset, with all the things that went on in the playoffs last year and with my family. It put a great perspective on life.

"I think it gave me a boost of energy, that everything has gone positively, and obviously the way we played in the playoffs, too. All the acquisitions and moves (general manager) Jimmy (Rutherford) made in the offseason ... it's great to know your team has a great chance. Everybody has the same chance right now but I think this will be one of the strongest teams I've played on."

Personally, things have gone well, he said, and Julie Walker's treatments have been successful.

"She's doing great," Walker said. "She's just starting back to working out now at the gym. It was a tough time but more for her, I think, because she's really quiet and not a public person. (The attention) kind of bothered her because it was a private thing she went through.

"She's still reading the letters from people and it still gets to her emotionally, but so many people did some great things for her — obviously with the tem. Like I said, it puts life and puts the game in perspective. I've always thought of this game and always worked as hard as I can, but sometimes you have to step away from the game when you're outside of it and at home with your family and put them first."