WRAL Sports Fan

The risk/reward of Cam Ward's return

Cam Ward stares down a loose puck during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins game, Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the RBC Center in Raleigh N.C. Photo by: Will Bratton

By Joe Ovies
Mar 24, 2010

Carolina Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward returned to the ice for his first full practice in over a month. The Canes expect Ward to get between the pipes before the season ends, even though the team's realistic chances of making the playoffs are nonexistent.

That's the source of differing opinion when it comes to whether or not Ward should play in the closing months. Should Carolina shut down their franchise goalie until next season or test the recovery of Ward's back?

"This is a big picture scenario," explained Canes TV voice John Forslund. "If [his back] seizes up again, you might have to go down that road of surgery. No one wants to see that with recuperation being maybe 4 to 6 months."

In other words, the Hurricanes are exhausting all options in order to avoid a worst case scenario. If Ward can get back into game shape and get a full off-season rest, the team will be in good position to start the year successfully.

Most Recent Comments

View All Comments

By earlmay
Posted Mar 25, 12:20 p.m.

Rank: Towel Boy
Posts: 5
Joined: Apr, 2008
Location: Wake Forest, NC

• Report this post
• Reply with quote

RE: The risk/reward of Cam Ward's return

I don't think this organization can wait for the beginning of the next season for the question to be answered about Cam's back issue. His being a franchise player and the question about a back-up goalie needing to answered in the off season requires a sooner than later answer. We just can't go through the start we went through this year again. No one wants him to need surgery, but I would rather have a season delayed start than a career ending injury.

By kornisgreat
Posted Mar 24, 10:38 p.m.

Rank: All Star
Posts: 637
Joined: Nov, 2008
Location: Clayton, NC

• Report this post
• Reply with quote

RE: The risk/reward of Cam Ward's return

Yeah I have to agree with you the Risk is higher than the Reward sit him down and let him rest til next season. I hope ur back gets better man.

By mpernell
Posted Mar 24, 8:10 p.m.

Rank: Towel Boy
Posts: 25
Joined: May, 2009
Location: Pittsboro, NC

• Report this post
• Reply with quote

RE: The risk/reward of Cam Ward's return

IMHO - I think Cam should take the rest of the season off to make sure that he is fully healed. I had a 2 level lower lumbar fusion (with 6 screws and a 8" scar) done this past Nov. and though it was the best thing I have done, I still have issues with severe stiffness/soreness to deal with on a daily basis even after almost 5 months. If Cam ends up having to have back surgery of any kind, he may or may not be ready for the start of next season. Is that a risk the team or even Cam himself wants to take? It is a very slow and sometimes painful re-hab time and although he is in great physical shape he will not be exempt from the time it will take to heal. My surgeon told me that it could take up to a year to be completely healed from the surgery. I was an EMT before this injury happened to me and this injury was career ending for me as I cannot do the lifting anymore. Just a thought...

View All Comments