Canes forward Justin Williams traded his yellow jersey for a red one today at practice, meaning he has been cleared for contact drills -- another step in his recovery.
Williams had surgery for an Achilles tendon tear in September but is ahead of schedule in his rehab and has been skating with the team in workouts.
Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle continues to get in more work and closer to returning, but Joni Pitkanen and Tim Gleason missed practice today at the RecZone. Pitkanen took a hard shot Monday night in the 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
"He got his bell rung," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said of Pitkanen. "He's day-to-day right now. He went to the doctors and they said just get an off-ice workout today and see how he feels tomorrow."
Laviolette said Gleason, who was injured Sunday against Nashville, also was day to day. While he said he doubted Gleason would return for the two games this week against Philadelphia, he said he would not rule it out.
On Williams, Laviolette said: "He can do a lot more of those grinding, competitive drills ... where's there not just physical play, but the agility that comes with stopping and starting and battling for pucks."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Canes
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 20:14 — Godman459I think people who are criticizing the criticizers need to lay off. We are criticizing the team because of the lack of emotion and caring this team has. I am not a single season ticket holder, mainly because I live to far away to do such a thing, but fans have every reason to not go to their games this year and criticize them.
Look at the talent on this team, or rather, look at the people who used to be talented. What happened to them all? Staal? Brind'Amour? Samsonov? What are these people doing? Nothing really. They are not trying, so why should I? Why should I spend my money and time on a team that can't even muster up enough self-respect to defend their own on the ice much less to win a game after being embarrassed yet again on home ice (referring to us not winning against Florida)?
I criticize the team because I can see the total lack of focus and determination this team has. Nobody knows where this problem starts at, only the team it self does. So until they come together in a team effort, protect each other, and win games the right way (i.e. a true 60 min game), I will not spend my money to see a game and I will not let up on my frustrations with this team.
Good point
Wed, 11/26/2008 - 08:58 — rmmeliAlso remember that we are all Canes fans and in a lot of cases season ticket holders. We want the team to do well. It wouldn't worry me if they lost but showed that they did their best. When you see them lose and you know they aren't trying, that is the problem.
Disappointed
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 17:10 — tmluciaYa know, i'm disappointed.. not with the team, but with the ones who say certain things about this team. I've been a fan since Greensboro, i've been through the high's and low's, yes we have hard times, but those of us who are true fans stick through it all. "Thanks for nothing Canes" what the heck kind of talk is that? I'm still out there with my season tix no matter what happens. I NEVER leave a game early, no matter what the score is. It could be 10-1 and i'll still stay...
I wrote "thanks for nothing
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 17:23 — VI wrote "thanks for nothing canes" and I am, also, a season ticket holder. If they can't manage to muster up some passion, I can certainly blast them because I worked two full months at a second job just to pay for my tickets and if they can't care it is not unreasonable for me to tell them to shove it. Show up, boys, just show up. I do and it ain't easy or cheap.
Acceptance
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 16:47 — VYeah, time to just face it. This team is not good. It's not a crappy team, it's not a great team -- it's yet another mediocre Carolina team. For three seasons now, fans have little to cheer about. Ruutu, LaRose, Whitney and Gleason are the only ones who show up consistently this season and 4 players do not make a team so I guess it's another big fat no-show for the 'Canes when the playoffs come around. I hope the RBC has those black curtains that they used in Greensboro when attendance was a joke because this team is headed right back in that direction. Thanks for nothing, 'Canes.
.500 team
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 16:26 — HockeydogMaybe so. Doesn't mean the club can't try to be more than that
unless they are satisfied with that.
my point exactly
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 17:50 — rmmeliIt looks to me like they are satisfied with exactly that based on the effort they are willing to put into it.
mentally wearing ?
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 16:06 — esteban1949Sorta reminds me of a formula 1 or nascar car driver who has returned after a bad wreck, and somehow has to get their "nerve" back up and in place. I hope that isn't the case. We do have a better than 500 team. But if we can only get them to play like it...and Thanks Chip...glad to read that Justin Williams is back on the ice...even if it is in red...
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!
Go Somebody !!!
canes
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:45 — guppyman45several people in here have made the comment that the canes are somehow not playing as well as they could. some say it is the injuries while others say it has to do with a weakness in spirit or will.
the truth, i think, is that the canes are a middle kind of team. they are not real good nor are they real bad. the canes are a 7, 8, 9 or 10 place team.
one has to hope they can squeak into the playoffs and maybe get hot. but a top three team, no way.
I agree
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:51 — rmmeliI said somewhere else, they are a 500 team give or take a little. The give or take will get them into the playoffs or not.
Really?
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 14:51 — VWell that's great news on the J-Willy front. So how many active 'Canes are mentally wearing the yellow jersey and when will they be cleared for full contact? /snark