Tests today revealed that Erik Cole suffered a fracture in his lower left leg from last night’s collision with Boston’s Dennis Wideman and will miss 4-6 weeks of game action.

Paul Branecky

Index | Archive

Not exactly what the Canes wanted to hear after an 0-2 start to the season, and certainly some added injury to the insult of the lopsided loss in Boston. A little more adversity than the team had hoped for by the third game of the season, but they’ve had to overcome similar circumstances in the past. Cole had missed Sunday’s practice with the injury, with Tuomo Ruutu moving to Eric Staal’s wing.

Coach Paul Maurice said after practice that he would have no problem inserting Tim Conboy, who is on the roster as the 13th forward, into the lineup in case Cole couldn’t go. Conboy can help provide a physical spark that the Canes lacked in their first two games, and was active in that department in practice.

If the Canes decide not to go that route, there are a number of talented forwards in Albany to choose from. Given that the Cole injury leaves the Canes short a winger, Zach Boychuk or Drayson Bowman would be the most likely candidates, with a more veteran player like Patrick Dwyer also a possibility.  Bowman scored on his professional debut on Saturday night, a 6-3 loss for Albany.

Subscribe | Discuss | Contact Previous | Next