Chad LaRose knew it was bad. Very bad.
The Hurricanes forward was working out Wednesday with teammate Justin Williams, getting in some off-ice exercises, when ...
"I was right next to him. He just stopped and there was a big pop," LaRose said today. "We all heard it — a big pop."
Just like that, Williams had torn his right Achilles tendon. After surgery, his recovery time is expected to be four to six months, leaving the Canes without one of their top wingers.
"It's tough. Justin's kind of irreplaceable," LaRose said. "You can't put anybody in his spot. It's tough for him and tough for us to swallow.
"It's tough but we've got a lot of guys here who can step up and contribute a little more."
Among the players general manager Jim Rutherford mentioned soon after Williams' injury were LaRose and Ryan Bayda. While the injury was devastating, Rutherford said, it would open up an opportunity for others.
Bayda, of course, didn't want it to come about this way. Not with Williams, who missed a chunk of last season with a serious knee injury, being sidelined again.
"It took months for him to get his knee back in shape," Bayda said. "To go down, just before the season, it stinks. But it's part of the game and something we'll have to deal with.
"We can't dwell on it. We've got enough guys here with enough experience to get us through this."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
This is bad... and the problem is....
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 00:09 — Anonymous (not verified)This is well over a day old now and it still stings in an unbelievable way... it's almost like a bad dream. Poor guy... I could only imagine how he feels... I feel sorry for J. Williams knowing that he was so eager to get his game going again... and soon... now only to have to wait... and wait in pain on top of it....
The problem is this: We can list the entire list of players who could step in to take Justin's place in the line up. But it is definitely going to take an entire cast of players to replace him. It's hard to replace 30-plus goals (the quietest 30-plus anyone will ever score) plus the defensive play... plus his presence in the locker room... plus the penalty killing.... Plus the Power Play.... Justin Williams may not have been the most flashy guy on our team.... and we may not have always noticed him.... but he has been a HUGE player from 2005 right up until the time he was injured last season..... His replacement will have to come in the form of 2 or 3 different players.
All I can say is....
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 23:30 — Anonymous (not verified)#$%@!!
Bad injury
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 16:10 — section318fan (not verified)I never had this injury, but I was playing volleyball last year, when the guy next to me got it. He wasn't even doing much, probably jumped about 6 inches to block the ball. Nobody was near him. Nothing unusual at all.
Next thing, he's on the ground, wondering who wacked him in the heel! Then he turned 3 shades of white from the pain. After we realized it wasn't a heart attack, we pretty much knew what it was. It is a hugely difficult injury.
I know these guys are pros, but I'm sorry to say that it will be tough for Willy to be 100% until next season. Maybe he can come back next late winter for the end of the season, but I doubt he'll be at the level he wants. He can look forward to being in a cast for a few weeks, with a calf muscle that will shink to nothing. He then has a long rehab to get it all back.
Finally, he'll have to balance all this to assure he doesn't come back too soon (remember last year?) and unnecessarily injure himself again.
This just stinks for the Canes. Stinks! I'm really on the ledge, ready to jump already, and training camp hasn't even started. I imagine the players having similar emotional issues.
Cole ???
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:36 — Anonymous (not verified)Bring back Cole to fill the void
LET'S GO CANES
Bring back Cole
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:27 — Anonymous (not verified)It would be nice to have the option to Bring back Cole to fill in for Williams as a winger.. I think Cole would turn up the heat if he had the chance.. but just my opinion
Depth Chart
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:20 — esteban1949gee that sounds rather disconcerning...as most of the other players who will get a chance would have felt that there would have been a better way to do it...even though it will be for 6 months...and I personally would try and put Rosie in there or as the Original Caniac has said...Bayda or Brookbank would be ok too...but seeing I am not on the team...or even play ...I just has to sit...wait..and see what hand is dealt to us to play with...before I can either bet,check or fold... Go Canes !
Jeff O!
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 12:29 — caniac79 (not verified)This opens a huge door for Jeff to earn his contract and make this team! I hate it for J-Willy but I'm looking forward to ole Jeff making the squad.
Eaves
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 12:06 — The Original Caniac (not verified)Eaves should step right in. In fact - the Canes have already taken Williams of the depth chart on their homepage and put Eaves on the first line. Bayda and Brookbank should be alright - but we need a stronger 3rd line Winger. My guess is they trade Kaberle for one - before opening night.