Things sure do change in a hurry on the injury front.  The Canes have ended up needing all eight defensemen on their NHL roster this season, and depending on how a few players feel tomorrow, they may need even more than that.

Paul Branecky

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Coach Peter Laviolette listed all three of Tim Gleason, Frank Kaberle and Joni Pitkanen as day-to-day for tomorrow's game against Philadelphia at the RBC Center.  Of those three, only Kaberle practiced on Tuesday, taking a regular shift with Dennis Seidenberg in his most involved skate since his October 17 leg injury.

As things stand right now, any combination of those players, including none or all three, could be available tomorrow, although Laviolette said Gleason was more doubtful than the other two.  If none of them can go, that would leave the team with only five defensemen.

"I'm not sure," said Laviolette.  "I'm not hiding anything, I'm just not sure."

Pitkanen actually returned to the ice after taking a high hit to the head in last night's game, but stayed off the ice today.

"He got his bell rung," said Laviolette.  "He went to the doctors, and they said to just do an off-ice workout today and see how he felt tomorrow."

Justin Williams shed the gold non-contact jersey for full practice and stayed on the ice for a lengthy post-skate with Tom Rowe.  Forward lines were the same as they have been, with Williams kind of floating in and out.

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