Williams to undergo surgery

[KaniacFever]

Are you freakin kidding me. The season hasn't even started yet, urgh :mad:

Canes Forward Justin Williams to Undergo Surgery Right wing suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during training session WednesdayTerrell Williams Carolina Hurricanes Sep 17, 2008, 3:46 PM EDT

Williams RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that right wing Justin Williams will have surgery this week to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. Williams suffered the injury on Wednesday morning and is expected to be out for four to six months.

[CajunCaniac]

I keep reading this again, thinking that the date is wrong, or maybe that I'm dreaming, or that I went back in time...

Un freaking believable...

[Jay]

I guess Jeff O'Neill just got a job.

[toastmasterbone]

Looks like O'Neill just made the second line.

[alison]

*facepalm*

Suddenly, bringing O'Neill in for a camp tryout looks like a genius decision on the part of management.

[toastmasterbone]

Jinx! You owe me a 30-point producing right wing.

[apolinar]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! What did we do hockey gods? What did we do? OK WHO MADE FUN OF OLLI JOKINEN again????

[Captain Slack]

AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! :bye:

[Guyute]

OMFG. Absolutely stunning.

When I saw the article on Brindy I thought "please, don't let this be an omen of this season". Turns out it was.
Jumpin Jesus.

[nccanes]

Seriously.

This one made me gasp....where Rod's only made me drop my jaw.

Six months? That's freakin' February.

I think they need to bring another training person in to evaluate what the hell goes on down there.

[nccanes]

I keep reading this again, thinking that the date is wrong, or maybe that I'm dreaming, or that I went back in time...



I actually kinda had the same fleeting thought....that this must be some old thread that somehow made it back to the front page.

[livinthedream]

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

OMG.

Poor Justin. I can't imagine how he must be feeling right now. He looked so happy at the 5k on Sunday.

:(

I don't know much about Achilles injuries but isn't that a more difficult recovery than the knee?

[caneshockeychick]

I'm sick...absolutely sick. :sick:

[nccanes]

I think it's just different, both hard. Both with some question marks about recovery.

Here's a ESPN "training room" thing on achilles injuries, it's pretty old, but I presume some of the same applies.

http://espn.go.com/trainingroom/s/1999/0915/59775.html

[Shell]

There is nothing I can say that won't get blocked by the filters *argh* :mad:

[andyt]

There is nothing I can say that won't get blocked by the filters *argh* :mad:

Exactly.

[crumudgeonly_caniac]

:yeah:

[ssangste]

Exactly.

took the words right out of my mouth....

either O or someone coming to camp just got a much bigger opportunity to make the team... depending on how badly it's torn, we may not see Willie back this year... AT injuries are no fun whatsoever...

[Canesluver]

Wow! Not what I expected to see. Sad. Well... I guess he'll be ready for the stretch after the All-Star break...

Somebody better take away SoCal's car keys. She's gonna freak and drive off the road!

[dakuwan]

Now I know why I didnt see him at the RecZone today. I noticed a lot of players were missing so didnt think anything of it.

[StormChaserBH]

Now I know why I didnt see him at the RecZone today. I noticed a lot of players were missing so didnt think anything of it.

That's what I was actually wondering... was it on-ice at the RecZone or in their earlier morning workouts where he tore it? Thanks for pre-emptively answering that, I guess!

[nccanes]

depending on how badly it's torn, we may not see Willie back this year... AT injuries are no fun whatsoever...

Same thing mr ncc said (and he's got a little training experience from way back)


Somebody better take away SoCal's car keys. She's gonna freak and drive off the road!

Too late. She texted me "from the car" about it, so this may really be cause for concern! ;)

[KaniacFever]

So do we just go ahead and give O'neill that one way before camp. Do we let him and Bowman fight it out in camp. Or do we forget trading Kaberle for salary cap relief and add something bigger to get something bigger in return?

That poor guy has got the worst luck. And here I was thinking the other night that I have no luck. Guess I'll take no luck over bad luck. Poor JWillie, i'm sure he's devasted. He seemed so excited to get this season rolling. :(

[alison]

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382244

I want to like Paul Branecky, I really do, especially because I just can't warm up to Chip Alexander...but at this point, I just don't. Something irks me about him...besides naming the title of a blog "Caniacs, Step Away From The Ledge."

Ah well, at least he recognizes that there are others within the system that now have a chance to make the team.

[nccanes]

I think you sign O'Neill (presuming they hadn't already decided NOT to sign him) unless you pull off a trade. And then maybe you sign him anyway.

[ssangste]

so is Chip scooping folks on LSB or is he completely wrong... he's reporting that Willie already had the surgery this afternoon... everywhere else is reporting it won't happen until later in the week...

[Guyute]

I think you sign O'Neill (presuming they hadn't already decided NOT to sign him) unless you pull off a trade. And then maybe you sign him anyway.
I think so too. Whether or not his head is truly in the game remains to be seen... but he's proven that he Can play. I think you have to assume he's here to do so, and give him a shot.

And meanwhile, be looking to make a move. (I would)

I do feel bad for JWill... you know after missing so much time last year, all he wanted was a full season to help the guys get back to late spring play. 6 months. Man, I just can't believe it.

[dakuwan]

I think you sign O'Neill (presuming they hadn't already decided NOT to sign him) unless you pull off a trade. And then maybe you sign him anyway.

I gotta say that the one other day I went to camp I was not impressed with O'Neill. He skated pretty lazily during the scrimmage just gliding from one end to the other instead of hustling back and forth. Several times he let guys go past him as they hustled with the puck down the ice rather than even giving an attempt at defense.

Maybe it was a bad day, I don't know but if I was trying to get my way back I'd be leaving it all out on the ice each and every day.

Just my .02

[corylav]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Cullen reprise his role as a guy who can move to wing from center and back ... then you keep one of the young guys (Jensen or Helminen) and have them share third- and fourth-line duties with Sutter.

[nccanes]

But that's not preseason camp, it's just informal workouts (and just 1 day's observation at that). If he's doing that at a PL session, that's a different story.

In this deal, I'll trust Ronnie and Laviolette to figure out what the wise move is.

[SoCalcaniac]

Somebody better take away SoCal's car keys. She's gonna freak and drive off the road!

You know me too well. I did freak the heck out and luckily I had sense to get off the road as I was in the car.


So I was in the car, coming back from the gym cause I'm splitting workouts morning/afternoon, and they're babbling on XM about the "curse for Carolina' and on and on and on they went- never mentioning JWill - so I'm thinking who? what? I pull into the Harris Teeter parking lot, and they said Justin and I just about died. I was literally screaming in my car. Screaming for them to say "Who" it was, and then screaming at the radio when they said his name. Then my phone started blowing up with texts, and then my husband called, after getting his own cryptic text, and then I texted E.

LTD- I thought the same thing about Justin, how gleeful he looked on Sunday racing Scott to the finish, and how in every interview you hear him just excited to get going. A freakin' off ice work out? Seriously? I'm devastated for Justin.

Paul Braenecky was fine blogging for the ASG in ATL, but I'm about over him.

Personally, I wouldn't be handing this job over to O'Neill, I'm dying to see who will challenge for this job from the kiddie corps- this could be huge. Will Zach Boychuk even be ready after his wrist surgery? How about Drayson?

I honestly can't even think about it. What will surely be joy for one player, is pure devastation for Justin. I'm just sick for him/the team. Just sick.

Edit: I just got into my email, and got an email from a friend - a "rumor" he had received from someone that JWill was injured-- the email was from a couple hours ago. I hate that the rumor was true :(

[WillLikeWhoa091]

mother.... Words just cannot explain how I'm feeling right now.

Seriously. This has got to be the worst luck when it comes to injuries as ANYone.

And it happens in an off-ice workout? I mean s**t...

/sigh

Gah I really feel bad for Williams. This has got to be one of his "Seriously, God? I mean, are you really serious? I've worked so hard to get back and now I have to do it again? SERIOUSLY?"

Whelp... let's see what happens.

[WilkesCanefan]

I have no words. This is unbelieveable. I feel so bad for him.

[Mona2006]

Shi*!! What on earth did we do to deserve this? Has Justin been wearing an NC State hat like Roddy?? :crazy: This sucks! :(

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I'm at a total loss of what to say.

[Captain Slack]

Personally, I wouldn't be handing this job over to O'Neill, I'm dying to see who will challenge for this job from the kiddie corps- this could be huge. Will Zach Boychuk even be ready after his wrist surgery? How about Drayson? (

No, I wouldn't either. If he has a good camp & shows he's here to play (i.e. we get the Jeff O of 2001), then sign him. Otherwise (i.e. we get the Jeff O of 2004), cut him loose.

I think this is a golden opportunity for Brandon Sutter, however. Maybe even Matt Murley as well.

If nothing else, camp just got a lot more interesting.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

**** ME. :mad:

I actually kinda had the same fleeting thought....that this must be some old thread that somehow made it back to the front page.

When I saw the title I thought that had to be it!!!

[G-Vegas Caniac]

I still can't believe this...I was a taking a afternoon nap, woke up and turned on the NHL Network. I was watching an old game and this news pops up at the bottom of the screen. I was thinking I was reading something wrong but I guess not. This sucks! :(

[cmw00]

Wow not much you can say about this. Hate it for Williams and the team.

I'm suprised people are ready to give the job to O'Neill though. He didn't play at all last season, and wasn't really doing much prior to that. This could be the chance of a lifetime for him or a younger player though. I'm not sure what useable/affordable UFAs are out there. The canes have some decent forward depth so I'd bet they'll try to fill the spot from inside the system.

[SoCalcaniac]

cmw- I'm with you on the O'Neill situation- and completely agree on the young guys getting an opportunity- my question is which guy? I have my ideas, but personally I'm still shocked, so while I have sat here staring at the training camp roster that I printed out, my attempts to narrow down who exactly would have the most legit shot, is not quote there yet.

It's been several hours- and I still don't feel any 'better'. My gosh what must JWill feel?

[ontheboards]

Shi*!! What on earth did we do to deserve this? Has Justin been wearing an NC State hat like Roddy?? :crazy: This sucks! :(

naw...think about the guys who had surgery last year--Brind'Amour...Williams... Whitney???

[Guyute]

Well given the circumstances, that ( ^ ) is a bit like calling a shutout at the start of the 3rd, no? :p

[Jay]

Achilles != Knee... at least it's not a re-injury, given JW's tendency for knee problems.

[CzechIt]

:cry: Get well soon JWill. We will be waiting for ya in 4-6months :(

[puck_it]

UGH. that is all.

[Canesluver]

I don't know how many of you have seen the story as posted on tsn.ca.... but.... if you want to get your blood boiling, take a look at the comments. Habs fans coming out-of-the-woodwork claiming it's "karma" for high-sticking Koivu in the '06 Playoffs. That's just sick. :sick:

[evan]

I hope they sign O'Neill now. His price could go up if he has a good training camp and he's ready to step into the top 9. If somebody else within our system and already under contract steps it up this year, we'll still probably need him the way things are already going.

And to the Habs fans... Justin went out of his way to give a heartfelt apology to Koivu and you could tell Williams was shaken up by it. Any further talk about it being his fault is just ridiculous.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

^ I can't see O'Neill's stock going up that much. He hasn't played a game in over a year. The previous year, he saw limited time with the Leafs. That alone would trump our need for a wing. I would love to see Jeff O back, but not for a dime more then the minimal contract amount.

[c-girl]

I don't know how many of you have seen the story as posted on tsn.ca.... but.... if you want to get your blood boiling, take a look at the comments. Habs fans coming out-of-the-woodwork claiming it's "karma" for high-sticking Koivu in the '06 Playoffs. That's just sick. :sick:

Yep, that's sick. If Karma really works like that, I wonder why I'm still waiting for certain people in my past to be Karma-ized. :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

Karma- huh. How about Karma for your 100th anniversary for wishing ill on a player? Classless comments. Idiots.

We are now being cast aside in the "no chance" bin by the peanut galleries. A chance for every person on this team to rise up and come out swinging. They're saying we have no chance already. Make them eat their words......

[hyena]

I'm still in denial about this. I got online this morning hoping to get good news -- not as bad as they thought, only a month out, stuff along those lines. *sigh* oh well :(

[KaniacFever]

We are now being cast aside in the "no chance" bin by the peanut galleries. A chance for every person on this team to rise up and come out swinging. They're saying we have no chance already. Make them eat their words......

Yeah I'm hearing that crap too. Should be big motivation for the team. Tape those quotes and sayings all over that locker room. I still remember in 05, Staal was pained by the comment that Carolina would be the worst team. And we all know what happened then.

After a day, news doesn't get any better, but I feel worse for Willie. I just can't imagine what that poor guy is thinking.

Get well soon Willie.

EDIT: Paul Branecky blog. Gives names on who could be fighting for that now open spot :(

OK, now this "bad luck with injuries" thing has moved miles beyond ridiculous.

Training camp hasn't even started yet, and already winger Justin Williams is expected to miss four to six months with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Different injury, but it amounts to the exact same severity of the torn ACL he suffered last year that effectively ended his season. The injury ocurred this morning during a training session.

Although the Brind'Amour surgery yesterday wasn't a huge deal and shouldn't be lumped together with the Williams injury (if anything, the Canes are lucky they discovered Brind'Amour's cartilage tear early enough to get him back for opening night), this one hurts. You have to feel for Williams, who I'm sure was raring to start the season after playing only 3:48 of one game since December 20 of last year.

Well, that leaves one spot at wing up for grabs going into camp, setting up the first real position battle of the fall. Drayson Bowman, Jeff O'Neill and new signing Matt Murley are all possibilities, or maybe the Canes stick with what they have and move someone like Ryan Bayda or Brandon Sutter up to a scoring line - the latter of which GM Jim Rutherford said was a possibility this season. Should be interesting to watch.

[Guyute]

Yep, we weren't going to be close in "that" year either. I'm fine with those comments, as I'm sure our guys are.

[livinthedream]

Well, I woke up this morning to a new day. And this still SUCKS. :(

Karma- huh. How about Karma for your 100th anniversary for wishing ill on a player? Classless comments. Idiots.

Amen, sister!

Although in all fairness a lot of the "karma for Koivu" a-holes are getting called out by their peers.

The N&O continues to report that he's already had surgery, but the Hurricanes main site still says he's due to have surgery later this week, which is what WRAL is saying too. Wonder which one is right?

[puck_it]

one of our members (who now either lurks or doesnt visit) had a ruptured Achilles not too long ago. It's not my place to say who,but maybe they'll come out of hiding and provide a little insight on what recovery entails.

It's a hell of a devastating blow, since i was expecting 25+ goals out of him :(

[IceSun]

I will skip all rational commentary and just say:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOO!

Get well Justin.

[eric]

one of our members (who now either lurks or doesnt visit) had a ruptured Achilles not too long ago. It's not my place to say who,but maybe they'll come out of hiding and provide a little insight on what recovery entails.
:(

My dad severed his AT a couple of years ago (weird story, kinda gruesome but I'll tell it if you guys want and no my dad isn't Kevin Bieksa). The doctor said it was actually easier to fix that than if it ruptured because the cut was clean. I'll have to ask him how long it took to recover because I don't remember.

[caveman]

just dropping by to say: this effing sucks.

[Caniac]

I just saw this.

MOTHER****ER

WTF

[Captain Slack]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/captainslack/khaaaan.jpg

[Guyute]

I'm home today, taking deliveries.

I put on SCF #7.
It's helping. Still sucks @ss, but watching this helps anything.

[OilerFan]

I put on SCF #7.


I did the same thing...and now there is a hole in my TV.

Very sorry to hear about Williams. He was the guy I wished somehow the Oil could have acquired for Pitkanen given his speed, overall game, and his sweet contract. Although I will forever hate him for that devastating SHG in game 1 of the SCF (at least I think it was him), certainly a player I have a lot of respect for.

Him and Ethan Moreau have had about the same luck in recent years...

[Scottysfistofdeath]

ah. morning after and the taste of bile and dispair still resounds in my mouth.

first thoughts: profanity, profanity, obscure animals, kitchen appliances, and more profanity

then i laughed for a while, until i rememered Willie's freakin achilles was severed. Desperately, I hoped I'd wake up sans-achillies myself so that the hockey gods mercifully sacrificed mine so that Willie might skate. I unfortuantely hurried to class late just fine.

I mean, if we're already getting our typical rash of injuries before the season starts, maybe we can be spared during the season? maybe?

Then, of course, I thought about replacing Willie's production, and imagined the bittersweet joy of Ruutu becoming a legit top line winger and playing great hockey knowing we won't be able to re-sign him this offseason.

Apologies for the only semi-cohearent rant. Like others have said, at least we have our backs against the wall and are written off early, things seem to get better from that point always

[SoCalcaniac]

Ok, this is an uber world record- Forslund has blogged AGAIN. (don't all faint at the same time ya'll- we're a pretty fragile bunch right now...lol) and he references Axl Rose. Oh my word.

I like how he's trying to pull us all off the ledge- or trying to cheer us all up. heehee. GO Johnny GO.


Patience...
John Forslund
Posted 54 minutes ago

Today should be slow news day. At least, I think it will be.The Canes have been shaking the hockey earth for about a week now. The roll out of new alternate sweaters, the contract extension of one of their stars, a community event for a very worthy cause and two bullets in the shape of Rod Brind'Amour's and Justin Williams injuries. There is nothing expected on this Thursday with the exception of final preps for training camp, which opens tomorrow morning.

There has been an unsettled feeling running through the Caniac Nation. It's natural, there should be. Maybe the route followed by Jim Rutherford is one of his greatest management traits, patience.
Patience might be the best way to describe what the Hurricanes game plan is moving forward. The really is no reason to jump into a new situation with a player say an available free agent .

That is until they see really what they have. We talked here yesterday about Brind'Amour's slot and where that leaves them. It's obvious that it has taken a big twist with Williams long gone. This is all the more reason to open camp a let the first couple of weeks tell a story. After all in two weeks they should have a barometer on "17's" knee and hopefully he is back in the fold. This time frame will allow a player like Patrick Eaves to jump into Williams spot and show off his potential. Maybe Chad Larose will back up his career season with a chance to play substantial minutes. He believes that he can and here's another opportunity. Free agent Jeff O'Neill will start camp as a center but watch for a possible switch to his natural position to see if he can pigeon hole his way into the group of 12 forwards.

Could it be young Drayson Bowman's chance to crack an NHL line-up? There's a chance. Of course there's always a trade or a free agent signing. Now I know there is nothing revealing about the obvious choices the Canes have to make, The point is, TAKE YOUR TIME. Let the organizational depth of the team reveal the answers first. It could come from within. But there's a chance that it won't. But before names like Murray, Shanahan, Parrish etc. get thrown around the Hurricanes will have to see what they have.

One player is gone. Another is unknown. For now, the calender works in their favor. In two weeks, they will have the answers. Maybe it comes sooner. But for now, let the doors to camps open. Let other teams realize the health and needs of their groups. Maybe a trading partner will emerge or maybe an unemployed vet will get anxious. The bottom line is the Canes have to be in a better position of leverage.
Remember Axl Rose, I'm sure you do...all we need is a little patience !

[nccanes]

Ok, this is an uber world record- Forslund has blogged AGAIN.

Dare I say it.....a Pivotal Global Event? :lol:




"uber world record" :lol:

[LeslieK]

Chip's updated LSB as well
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."

[SoCalcaniac]

Hee hee, E- I made you chuckle. and LMAO - Pivotal Global Event--- indeed.

and Chip blogged again- like 15 minutes later this time on O'Neill's take of the injury;

Um, I could have done without Chad mentioning "the big pop" "we all heard it, a big pop". That stuff freaks me out.


Jeff O'Neill was once Justin Williams' teammate on the Hurricanes, and O'Neill has enjoyed being around Williams the last few weeks in informal workouts at the RecZone.
O'Neill came back for a tryout with the Canes, hoping to win a roster spot on his old team. The last thing O'Neill said he could have expected, or wanted, would be to go into training camp trying to replace an injured Williams.
"He's one of the guys I've known here and one of the guys I've gotten close to since I've been here," O'Neill said today. "It's tough to see a guy who has put so much effort into it, considering last year he got hurt as well.
"It's a devastation here. You're so excited to get back on the ice, then that happens. It could happen to any of us. Just a freak accident and you've got to move on."
General manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday that Williams' Achilles injury would "open the door wider" for O'Neill, who was out of the NHL last year.
"I don't think it has any effect on what I have to do," O'Neill said. "I just have to have a good training camp and prove I can still play and contribute.
"We've lost a solid teammate, a solid leader and good offensive producer. I think I can do that. We'll see what happens."



<!-- END content --><!-- BEGIN audio(s) --><!-- END audio(s) --><!-- BEGIN document(s) -->

[nccanes]

Well, if we're watching O's every move, it's worth noting he's gotten closer to Williams, who shares some things in common (marriage, small baby arrived/on the way), rather than talking about hanging out with Bates, lol.

I Jeff finds success...it's good for him and us. I still chuckle when I think of the (possibility of a) bevy of #92s that will be at the RBC again.

[Canesluver]

Um, I could have done without Chad mentioning "the big pop" "we all heard it, a big pop". That stuff freaks me out.

I actually liked that he said that. I found it very descriptive, and also comforting to know Justin wasn't alone when it happen.

(Back in '97 when I fell down the stairs in our house, breaking my right leg and spraining my left ankle so severly I couldn't stand up, I was all alone and in tremendous pain. I felt like McGyver trying to figure out how to get to a phone to call for an EMS!! :lol:)

[LeslieK]

Surgery is today according to Branecky - http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382355
Also a link to post-skate video - http://hurricanes.nhl.tv/team/launch.htm?type=fvod&id=20782&catid=258
On the eve of the official start to training camp (photos and physicals are tomorrow) there were mixed emotions in the Hurricanes’ locker room following Thursday morning’s informal skate.

On one hand, the players are all excited to start the new season and return to the playoffs. On the other, they’re still adjusting to the fact that Justin Williams won’t be around for the next four to six months.

Williams had been participating in the informal skates himself, but ruptured his Achilles tendon during an off-ice workout yesterday and will undergo surgery today. He hasn’t played a full NHL game since December 18.

”For a guy like Williams, for that to happen to him is just so tough and awful,” said Chad LaRose. “It was unexpected, and what are you going to do about it? He’s going to be down for a while, and now it’s just how other guys in the room have to pick it up for his loss.”

Defenseman Tim Gleason was there when it happened, but didn’t realize the severity of it until much later.

”It was like a strain at first so I didn’t think much of it, and then I heard later that it was what it was,” Gleason said. “It’s a bummer. There’s no words to say to him, I’m sure he’s just broken. But life goes on. If he can get back fast fine, if not then we’ll deal with it.

“We have guys in this dressing room that are willing to work hard and that’s part of this organization – they’re strong in every position. I’m sure anybody that’s willing to grab that opportunity to play, I’m sure they’ll do a great job.”

That was true last season as several River Rats, such as Keith Aucoin, Ryan Bayda and Tim Conboy all exceeded expectations and helped soften the blow. There’s no question Williams is an extremely difficult player to replace, but several players will go into training camp with the opportunity to do just that.

The Canes think Patrick Eaves, fully recovered from last year’s shoulder problems has a chance to have a very good season, and he’s one player that could see an increased role on the team. Eaves and Williams are often compared to one another due to their gritty two-way play.

”A healthy Patrick Eaves is a real bonus for our team,” said GM Jim Rutherford prior to Williams' injury. “He has real good hockey sense, he plays a real aggressive game. He’s already scored over 20 goals in this league in one season and we would expect him to get back to that level. The biggest thing for him with the style he plays is staying healthy. I’ve seen him now, and he looks great.”

Outside of the current roster, the opportunity has much improved for prospect Drayson Bowman, tryout Jeff O’Neill and new signing Matt Murley.

Some notes from today’s skate:

Speaking of Murley, I only caught a small part of Thursday’s scrimmage, but he had me trying to dig up a roster to try and figure out who number 21 was. From what I saw, he showed good puckhandling skills and positioning. According to Murley as he came off the ice, he’s been on the winning scrimmage team three days in a row.

A few more languages in the Hurricanes locker room now than there used to be. Some of the existing European players have found friends, as Frank Kaberle and Josef Melichar were conversing in Czech, while Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen spoke Finnish. Pitkanen and Ruutu know each other from playing on the Finnish national team.

In addition to Ruutu, Pitkanen also knows Williams and Dennis Seidenberg from their time in Philadelphia together.

”I heard yesterday what happened and it was very disappointing,” said Pitkanen of Williams. “I know how good a player he is, but I think we have a lot of good players here. With him coming back we’ll be stronger.”

Besides playing together with the Flyers, Pitkanen and Seidenberg also played together on the team’s AHL affiliate, winning a Calder Cup together during the lockout year.

More on Pitkanen – he’s long been an admirer of the Hurricanes’ style of play, which suits him perfectly as an offensive-minded player.

”When I played with the Flyers we always played against the Hurricanes, and I know there’s a lot of good skaters and high-skilled players,” he said. “I’m very excited to play with these guys.”

Gleason is aware of his increased role on the blueline, and welcomes it with open arms.

”I believe they want more responsibility from me, which I’m willing to accept for sure and I’m excited about it,” he said. “Playing time, if I can get up to 20-some minutes, that’s awesome. That’s what I want and that’s what I’m working for. It’s a job to be taken and I definitely want it."

[SoCalcaniac]

CL- you crack me up. Always. McGyver- :lol:

Reading that ch.com article -- Tim Gleason just put a smile on my face. ;):thumbsup:

There are bright spots in all this madness, I know there are. It's just been difficult to find them, and now I'm reminded that there are other players on this team, not that I didnt' know that; but they all have this chip on their shoulder and still ticked about last season, or have something to prove or want to expand their role. This is what I am going to focus on, cause honestly if I think about JWill anymore, my head will explode. Seriously explode.

[BrindAmourFan]

The N&O continues to report that he's already had surgery, but the Hurricanes main site still says he's due to have surgery later this week, which is what WRAL is saying too. Wonder which one is right?

Don't know exactly when, but Chip edited his blog post sometime this morning to read: "The Hurricanes suffered a big blow today when forward Justin Williams tore his right Achilles tendon, requiring surgery."

Sneaky.

:lol:

[puck_it]

did he screw up his left ACL or right ACL? i'm curious if it's the bum leg that the new injury is on

[livinthedream]

Don't know exactly when, but Chip edited his blog post sometime this morning to read: "The Hurricanes suffered a big blow today when forward Justin Williams tore his right Achilles tendon, requiring surgery."

Sneaky.

:lol:

Yeah, too bad the "underwent surgery" statement had already made its way to today's print edition under Chip's byline.

I'm all for cutting the new guy some slack and maybe I'm being just a tad nitpicky here, but seems to me that's a pretty important detail of the story that as a reporter you'd want to get right. I get the notion of changing the blog because it is much more dynamic, but jeez, can't you at least confirm your facts before the story goes out to print?

[LeslieK]

different legs
Branecky's post yesterday - http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382244
repair a torn right Achilles tendon

Link within the post to the article re: ACL - http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=347428&page=NewsPage&service=page

suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the first period of Thursday night’s game against the Florida Panthers.

[LeslieK]

I just wish when he was updating it that he would indicate it changed from the original entry. I posted the link the other day about Cullen & Ruutu being at Camp Brind'amour. He later went back and added Melichar & Brookbank.

[nccanes]

Yeah, too bad the "underwent surgery" statement had already made its way to today's print edition under Chip's byline.

I'm all for cutting the new guy some slack and maybe I'm being just a tad nitpicky here, but seems to me that's a pretty important detail of the story that as a reporter you'd want to get right. I get the notion of changing the blog because it is much more dynamic, but jeez, can't you at least confirm your facts before the story goes out to print?

I agree completely. I think someone even asked about the surgery timing on it in his blog yeserday and (last I looked) he didn't reply.

If blogging allows 'journalists' to just correct their reports as the facts become more evident to them, then it's not journalism. At mimimum, he's not following in Luke's SOP which was to note any updates.

Typically after surgery, there's some (always optimistic) report about how it went well and as expected, blah, blah.

[SoCalcaniac]

Alexander is HORRIBLE. I'm done with cutting slack; As E pointed out, there were several posts in that entry asking him to clarify the surgery thing- did he have it, or is it pending? and he never chimed in and said anything. Luke has on numerous occasions, posted right in the comments thread a clarification, answered a question or whatever, and then if he did have an update on something he had the bold "updated at 6:15pm" and his change.

Clearly Chip is not up to the challenge of this whole blog thing. he seems to be wanting to 'beat' the other bloggers, news media to the 'punch' and he's all over the place. It's a bunch of garbage and in one fell swoop , that blog has gone down the tubes.

[ssangste]

Dude is really ticking me off...

I've had my share of issues with Luke in years past. But he was finally starting to get better near the end of his tenure. Not great, but better. Chip is not on the level of the old Luke, let alone present Luke...

[Mona2006]

Those fuc*ers in Montreal can kiss my fat ass!! :mad: When Koivu was injured not only was Justin sick about it, but every Canes fan that I know was too. True fans of the game are never happy to see any player injured.. (unless a big bus ran over Orpik....and then backed up) :D

Get well soon Justin!! :(

[KaniacFever]

Alexander is HORRIBLE. I'm done with cutting slack; As E pointed out, there were several posts in that entry asking him to clarify the surgery thing- did he have it, or is it pending? and he never chimed in and said anything. Luke has on numerous occasions, posted right in the comments thread a clarification, answered a question or whatever, and then if he did have an update on something he had the bold "updated at 6:15pm" and his change.

Clearly Chip is not up to the challenge of this whole blog thing. he seems to be wanting to 'beat' the other bloggers, news media to the 'punch' and he's all over the place. It's a bunch of garbage and in one fell swoop , that blog has gone down the tubes.

Sure has. I used to always check out Luke's blogs, but I can't remember the last time I've been on that blog page. I'm just not impressed at all.

[LeslieK]

Branecky had another Blog post earlier today regarding Justin's injury & his thoughts on the season. I thought the last two paragraphs in particular were interesting.
With enough seemingly capable players already waiting in the wings, Rutherford suggested that finding out why two of his players have already needed surgery to fix problems that arose in pre-camp workouts might be a bigger priority than making a trade.

”We’ve had a couple of years of really bad runs with injuries, but that doesn’t mean this has to continue,” he said. “I do think we have to take a closer look at how our players prepare themselves and how they train, because I’m not so sure that it’s just bad luck and maybe there has to be some adjustments as to how the players are prepared.”


Here's the link (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382378) to the full article - Sorry if this has already been posted.

[IceSun]

Those fuc*ers in Montreal can kiss my fat ass!! :mad: When Koivu was injured not only was Justin sick about it, but every Canes fan that I know was too. True fans of the game are never happy to see any player injured.. (unless a big bus ran over Orpik....and then backed up) :D

Get well soon Justin!! :(

Looks like Montreal may be getting a Carolina reception equivalent to the Sabres and Orpik this season if this crap keeps up...come on Montreal fans GET.OVER.IT

[aldamon]

Branecky had another Blog post earlier today regarding Justin's injury & his thoughts on the season. I thought the last two paragraphs in particular were interesting.


Here's the link (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382378) to the full article - Sorry if this has already been posted.

I'm thinking the same thing. Time for heads to roll in the training staff. I can't believe this. My wife was furious this morning. I'm just kind of numb. I think we have the bodies to replace him though.

Also, how does this affect his salary? Is he now covered by insurance? Does this mean we can stop shopping one of our big contracts?

[wa10]

As I recall, Justin is not covered by insurance because of the previous knee injuries. As if the injury wasn't bad enough for the team. I'll see if I can find a link.....

Here it is: http://www.newsobserver.com/796/story/1213270.html

Here's a couple of highlights:

"Teams are required to insure a handful of players through a "temporary total disability" program administered by the league."

"Each team pays a premium based on the salaries of its five highest-paid players, but is free to allocate that coverage how it wishes. Typically, a team will extend coverage to as many as seven players, Daly said. Coverage kicks in when a player misses at least 30 games."

"This season, the Hurricanes will pay almost $1 million for $19 million of coverage through the league program, but even that process isn't simple. Insurers may balk at something as specific as an individual body part."

"The Hurricanes were able to insure Justin Williams last season despite a previous injury to his right knee, Rutherford said. They received insurance payments when he missed more than three months with a serious injury to the same knee, but they wouldn't be able to insure that knee again this season."

So maybe, since it's not the knee, Insurance will cover the injury.

[Guyute]

I'm thinking the same thing. Time for heads to roll in the training staff.

Yeah, I know everyone loves Pete, but you really have to wonder if there's something else we should be doing.... or someone else. This is insane. You can't just keep saying "bad luck". We've had years of this now.

[nccanes]

Totally agree. I said it in one of my first posts in this thread.

Not that it matters anymore because it's years ago, but I think he got thru relatively scot-free when he let Erik Cole skate off the ice in Pittsburgh. Not suggesting that he incurred any further damage because he did, but I thought that a collar and/or backboard was standard. I never understood it then, don't get it now.

I think, at mimimum, they need to get another professional in the locker room. Even if it's damn bad luck, they need to be sure that the possibility of poor practices is removed from realm of the possible.

[puck_it]

Totally agree. I said it in one of my first posts in this thread.

Not that it matters anymore because it's years ago, but I think he got thru relatively scot-free when he let Erik Cole skate off the ice in Pittsburgh. Not suggesting that he incurred any further damage because he did, but I thought that a collar and/or backboard was standard. I never understood it then, don't get it now.

I think, at mimimum, they need to get another professional in the locker room. Even if it's damn bad luck, they need to be sure that the possibility of poor practices is removed from realm of the possible.

I'm of the opinion the league sent out a memo after that fiasco, mandating any head injury be stretchered... All speculation, but theres been an increased number of guys leaving on stretchers instead of allowing them to skate off to get looked at

[VandyCane]

I have definitely been thinking similar thoughts. Our guys are training hard, I just wonder if they are training smart. So many people want to bulk up at the expense of flexibility. That's why so many football players (and it was mentioned in an article about Rod) are turning to pilates/yoga because it increases core strength but works on flexibility. I also recall an interview with Cam where he talked that at one point in the season he was so preoccupied with the weight/nutrition issue that he lost focus on other things. The subtext seemed to be that maybe the emphasis on lean eating came to the detriment of his overall energy level. Or maybe I just read a little too much into an off-hand comment.

I'm with nccanes, I lost a lot of faith when Cole was allowed to skate of the ice.

[nccanes]

I'm of the opinion the league sent out a memo after that fiasco, mandating any head injury be stretchered... All speculation, but theres been an increased number of guys leaving on stretchers instead of allowing them to skate off to get looked at

That may be true, but it doesn't mean that the medical/training professional that tended to Cole on the ice made the correct decision. Since that's their job, the league shouldn't have to mandate jack imo.

(I know you weren't suggesting otherwise)

[puck_it]

totally agree.

when I hurt my ankle, i was right next to the door and could have easily gotten myself off so the game could proceed. Ref wouldnt let me, he had to call an ambulance. Over kill? yeah. But he made the right decision from his standpoint.

[SoCalcaniac]

I have definitely been thinking similar thoughts. Our guys are training hard, I just wonder if they are training smart. So many people want to bulk up at the expense of flexibility. That's why so many football players (and it was mentioned in an article about Rod) are turning to pilates/yoga because it increases core strength but works on flexibility. I also recall an interview with Cam where he talked that at one point in the season he was so preoccupied with the weight/nutrition issue that he lost focus on other things. The subtext seemed to be that maybe the emphasis on lean eating came to the detriment of his overall energy level. Or maybe I just read a little too much into an off-hand comment.

I'm with nccanes, I lost a lot of faith when Cole was allowed to skate of the ice.

add me to the nccanes list as well.

Vandy you make a huge and valid point about the whole Cam lost weight/then lost focus thing- and the training issue in general.

As a person who is not a pro athlete by any stretch,who does work out what some would consider " a lot" I personally question some of the training stuff- but I'm not a pro so I don't know of what I speak- my questioning just seems to be on how hard they hit it. What is normal, what is pushing, what is extreme? Just stuff I've wondered about and have a fascination on because these guys are amazingly fit- they're truly only 'maintaining for optimal performance' so how hard do we need to go? It's just something I think about and I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[puck_it]

see, thats why i was trying to figure out if it was his bum leg this happened to. I was thinking they pushed him too hard, and the Achilles was still weak from atrophy.

[nccanes]

Who knows if this was preventable or not, but stetching is KEY. Even my kid (who plays HS and club soccer) got a huge lecture and was sworn off the field (and into the training room) for days last fall by his HS trainer because he had some soreness in that area. She was pretty graphic about what could happen otherwise.

[caniac369]

I realize I'm a couple of days late with this comment, but...

CRAP!!!

[ontheboards]

Has Williams had the surgery yet or not? If so, when? If not, any idea why the delay or when it's scheduled?

[StormShaman]

Those fuc*ers in Montreal can kiss my fat ass!! :mad: When Koivu was injured not only was Justin sick about it, but every Canes fan that I know was too. True fans of the game are never happy to see any player injured.. (unless a big bus ran over Orpik....and then backed up) :D

Get well soon Justin!! :(

Did I miss something?

[StormShaman]

Looks like Montreal may be getting a Carolina reception equivalent to the Sabres and Orpik this season if this crap keeps up...come on Montreal fans GET.OVER.IT

And that would be too bad, because the team has been nothing but class about the Koivu/Williams incident. It's the fans that decided to be nothing but ass.

[nccanes]

Well, there are plenty of players on the Sabres that I respected and I certainly didn't see them staggering about the RBC corridors screaming in my face or smashing glasses in our parking lots, but I hate that team with a passion anyway.

[livinthedream]

Has Williams had the surgery yet or not? If so, when? If not, any idea why the delay or when it's scheduled?

Here ya go, saw this yesterday:

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=382237&page=NewsPage&service=page

Update: Williams underwent successful surgery on Thursday. The procedure was performed by Dr. Marty Isbell at Rex Outpatient in Cary.

[nccanes]

If the "pop" description bothered anyone, I don't suggest you read this article (http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=36d4a5f0-86bb-4eaf-8278-48baafb5effd) in which Cole relays all the comments from the teammates that were there. :eek:

[SoCalcaniac]

If the "pop" description bothered anyone, I don't suggest you read this article (http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=36d4a5f0-86bb-4eaf-8278-48baafb5effd) in which Cole relays all the comments from the teammates that were there. :eek:

:hurl::bye:Well dang girl, you know that does nothing but dare someone to go look! :lol: You know, like the proverbial train wreck, car crash, (insert morbid scenario here).......... A trainer at my gym who knows I'm a huge Canes fan, came up to 'console' me the other morning- and proceeded to tell me about the client he worked with back in Texas who was actually a football player for Univ of TX when he tore his achilles while he (the trainer) was working him out; - he then decided to tell me just how awful the 'sound' was, and he hoped the Canes players weren't as freaked out as he was with his client when it happened. :crazy: All of this at about 5:15am, and I thought I was gonna have to break his kneecaps for sharing the graphic details.

So this begs to question- did Canwest Media really need to run THAT piece? and was it me, or did EC seem to have 'fun' with all the describing there?

[nccanes]

I wonder if Erik even thought it would end up in print. If the guys didn't get quoted locally, makes you wonder if that wasn't by accident.

[PennsyCanesFan]

Well I know it just made me gag. :sick:

[puck_it]

dayyyyyyyyyyyyyum