The Canes' Scott Walker says he's ready to play.
And with Jussi Jokinen returning to Finland after the death of his father, Walker also feels the need to play, to get back in the lineup and help as the Canes head to Washington for Tuesday's game against the Capitals.
"I'm feeling good. That's the important thing right now," Walker said after a full practice today at the RecZone. "Now I've got to get into these big games and be competitive and be a part of them."
Walker has been sidelined since Jan. 27 with post-concussion symptoms. But he said last week that he was close to returning, and Canes coach Paul Maurice said he needed a few full practices before jumping back into the lineup.
"He felt he's been very, very close for a while," Maurice said today. "As much as we possibly can we want to make sure he can get through it.
"There's no guarantees. Any player, even one who's never had a concussion. You get the wrong hit tomorrow night and you're back. And that's the difficult part of assessing this — you can say he's fine, and he is fine, and he may just take a hit that anybody can get a concussion (from)."
Playing the Caps is always a physical affair, with an edge to the game. It's also a game the Canes need to win after the bitter disappointment of the 5-3 loss Saturday in Atlanta.
"There will be a lot of excitement in the room," Walker said. "I'll be able to feed off the adrenaline of the guys and the pace of the game. Washington is a big, strong physical team and I'm excited for the challenge."
Walker was working on the fourth line with Ryan Bayda and Tim Conboy in today's practice.
The other lines had Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu on Eric Staal's line, with Michael Ryan on Rod Brind'Amour's line with Patrick Eaves.
Matt Cullen's line stays intact with Ray Whitney and Chad LaRose.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
trade him now.
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 20:26 — toddchrisshe's not really a great fixture here and he really hasnt contibuted much to the team this year. i think he is n ot a real scoring threat. maybe trade him and make room for someone else. and maybe get a pick.we seem to fall in love withevery player on this team keep alot a people for sentamental reasons. this guy hasnt produced much , so before he gets hurt again lets get him outa here.
Walker's Value
Tue, 03/03/2009 - 12:41 — JRs_FaultScott Walker's value hasn't been measured on the scoresheet for quite some time.... to say he hasn't contributed much is to look only at the box score and not at his shifts.
He's one of the minority of guys on this team that has some grit... and that's been one of the top complaints about this team. Coming off an injury, he's going to have more potential value staying than whatever somebody might be willing to part with to get him.
Since he has "not produced"
Tue, 03/03/2009 - 11:35 — JustListenenwhy would any other team want to trade FOR him? Unless they are trying to dump a poor player with a higher salary than Walker's ??
A trade implies that BOTH parties receive something as value ... such as last year's trade of Ladd for Ruutu
Let's Go Canes
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 16:12 — SWFAN24Him on the line with Conboy and Bayda, Washington better watch because they will get hit hard. I hope Mo puts this line out for the second shift of the game and it will be on from there.
Me too
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 15:13 — HockeydogI hope he's really ready, and not just going back in because Jokinen is out. His game is such that he will test that pumpkin early and often. On the plus side, he's had rest for his hand and anything else bugging him. Keep our fingers crossed for him.
Healthy
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 14:08 — greensborogeezerHope Walker is 100% healthy. He is such a gug ho team guy that he might be pushing it too much