Walker out six weeks after surgery
Forward Scott Walker underwent successful surgery on his left hand today for a torn ligament in his left hand and is expected to be out six weeks.
Dr. Harrison Tuttle of Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic performed the surgery.
UPDATE: General manager Jim Rutherford said the injury occurred last Sunday during Walker's altercation with Nate Guenin of the Philadelphia Flyers during an exhibition game. Guenin blindsided the Canes' Matt Cullen and Walker soon squared off against Guenin and landed several blows.
Walker, who had his left hand heavily taped last week, had 15:35 of ice time Sunday in the Canes' 2-0 victory over Nashville.
"It was sore but he tried to play with it," Rutherford said. "He knew he'd probably need an operation but he was hoping to play through the season because he knew our situation."
Rutherford said the team was looking at a number of options: a trade for a top-line forward, possibly calling up a player like Matt Murley from Albany or signing free agent Dan LaCouture to a contract.
"The market is so hard to read right now," Rutherford said of a trade. "We're not going to make a trade just to make a trade. If we feel a player could help our team now and help us get into the playoffs, we'll look at it."
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
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reply
Mon, 02/23/2009 - 10:59 — AlexaWalker's goal was the second of the season. Walker was activated just over a week ago after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his hand in early October. This is his second goal in five games this season. If Walker can stay healthy he has the possibility to hit the 50-point mark.
chiropractors
Scott
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 09:11 — David (not verified)Hey, this sucks, but it's also a big part of why the fans love Scott Walker. How would we feel if no one had smacked that guy for threatening Cullen's career? Good for you, Scott and we can't wait to see you back on the ice!
rats
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 22:18 — Anonymous (not verified)Call up a Rat, someone like Pat Dwyer could fill the role. No need for a trade until you see how we fare in the first 3-5 games.
Suitable replacement?
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 19:29 — Chris (not verified)This injury sucks.. On a positive note I believe that Dan LaCouture can step in and maintain the gritty third line forward role. He doesn't replace the leadership that Scotty has (evident by last years performance of the third line with Walker, Bayda and Aucoin), but he does bring the same hard forechecking style. Glad we signed Dan, but Scotty is a tough one to replace. These injuries have gotta stop sometime.
C'mon...go ahead....blame the trainer
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 14:30 — The Original Caniac (not verified)What? You aren't going to blame Pete Friesan on this one? I mean, it's another Canes injury so it's got to be his fault - right? So far - not one injury can be linked to any training regimens put forth by Pete. Your article weeks ago merely suggesting that there might be some cause for concern was ridiculous at best. So let's see how you spin this one.
I think that was a monday
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 08:28 — Anonymous (not verified)I think that was a monday debate. its not off base to at least debate the causes for so many injuries the past few seasons. I personally think pete is the best in the bussiness, an do not blame him, but i dont think anybody at the n&o did either.
Blaming the trainer
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 17:30 — Anonymous (not verified)Not one injury can be linked to any training regimen put forth by Pete? Well, we can't really know that for sure. There have been a lot of leg injuries. And I think specifically, there have been 3 groin injuries.
It is pretty hard to blame Pete for Walker's injury... unless you claim that he wasn't encouraging the team to eat a healthy diet and that let to weak tendons and ligaments or something.
PFs_Fault
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 13:25 — JRs_FaultWe already ran around this topic after Brind'Amour got 'scoped.... Nobody on this board (including myself) knows enough about what's going on in the training room under Pete's guidance vs. what happens during the summer.
Witness Tim Gleason's comments on XM (he'll be on every Monday @ 4:45pm w/Phil Esposito): He continues to work out during the summer with a guy that's he's worked with for 10 years (not bad for a 25 yr old, eh?). He rattled off a long list of other NHL'ers that workout in the same group. He said he takes 1 week off, and has trouble sitting even that long. He alluded to the fact that other guys are in similar summer situations, or work out alone.
Put your fingers back in their holsters, for now.... JR has already said he's going to examine it (again, an interview from XM a couple of weeks ago, which I think he has also repeated for the local press here).
Hmmm What to do ???
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 13:50 — esteban1949Personally if I was the Coach...I'd bring up one of the Rats from Albany...and while that was going on...then and IF it was needed...try and find a good player to compliment the team so that who ever it was...would have enough time to contribute...fit in and hopefully...the Canes could or might make it to the play offs...but let's see what Murley can do in the clutch before we sign anyone or even a La Couture..
Go Canes !!
If everything goes right...
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 12:38 — caneskthen Walker may be back around Thanksgiving. Certainly not the best news but it could be worse.
wow
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 12:10 — James_wow
Enforcers
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 10:42 — Anonymous (not verified)I guess this is why the Canes like to go with one-dimensional enforcers- like Brookbank & Gillies. If you lose them to an injury like this, they're a lot easier to replace. However, when they only play around 3 min. a night, they will rarely be on the ice when something happens that needs to be addressed immediately, plus it's a wasted lineup spot, hockey-wise. You just hate to see something like this happen in the preseason.