Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

Hurricanes

Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

By Tim Hall

Nov 6, 2009

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The Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been on a collision course for the past week. Both teams have been stuck with just 7 points in the standings. That's a tie for the league-low. Both teams are riding four-game losing streaks. And somebody has to win Friday night.

But right as the other low team in the standings comes to town injuries hit Carolina hard again. Forwards Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney both suffered upper body injuries in the 3-0 loss at Florida Wednesday. Eric Staal missed that game and the latest release from the Hurricanes lists him being out 2-4 weeks.

Ruutu and Whitney both took part in the pre-game skate at the RBC Center on Friday but both are still game time decisions. Defenseman Nick Wallin was missing from the skate but he will play against Toronto.

Late Thursday Carolina recalled Zach Boychuk from the Albany River Rats. The 20-year-old could be in line to make his NHL-season debut against Toronto.

The Canes would be without three of their top five scorers if Staal, Whitney and Ruutu all sit out. While that remains to be seen general manager Jim Rutherford hopes a win is near after the performance in Florida.

“But when things are going bad, they go bad. We couldn’t buy a break around the net, and they get breaks on both of their deflected goals. At some point in time, we’re going to get some deflected goals and end up on top," Rutherford told CarolinaHurricanes.com.

As the Hurricanes are dinged up in their scoring department, Leafs star winger Phil Kessel just made his long awaited season debut on Tuesday night in an overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Kessel took a huge hit from Mattias Ohlund early in the game and it didn't phase him. The 36-goal scorer with Boston a year ago had offseason rotator cuff and labrum surgery, and he was skating in practice on Thursday.

Carolina's seven points in the first 14 games matches the worst start in franchise history. The Whalers went through the same start in 1992 and 1993.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

And this will make any difference to the game how? We're already last in the league, it's not like we really have anywhere to fall.

FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE!
FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE!
FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE! FIRE PAUL MAURICE!

RE: Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

Time to stop being dedicated to the coaching staff and trainers, CLEAN HOUSE. Love Francis (great player), but he cannot coach or motivate players (the power play is pathetic). Get rid of ALL the coaches, "bring in Kevin Deneen (player/coach with grit) and let him hire HIS OWN staff"

LaRose getting great money and doing nothing (I am a big fan of Chad, but this is not acceptable).

We need a young superstar on this team!!!!(EXAMPLE: Kopitar of the LA Kings, best in the league, will be better than Ovechkin).

We have NEVER had a rookie in the top two for rookie of the year (awful) and never had a rookie of the year (tells me scouting stinks). If Boychuck is not a playmaker and scorer, we are running out of young prospects.

GO CANES!!!!!!!!!

RE: Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

Rumor has it that either Larose or Whitney will be traded. Anyone know for who?

RE: Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

Toronto news is reporting that both Ruutu and Whitney skated at practice this morning so it looks like both may go tonight.
- Posted by viking416

Good news....but I still want to see what Boychuk can bring to the table.
Definitely great news though

RE: Hurricanes may be without three top forwards

Toronto news is reporting that both Ruutu and Whitney skated at practice this morning so it looks like both may go tonight.
- Posted by viking416

Yea!

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