Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday and will be sidelined four to six weeks, the team said.
With forward Sergei Samsonov also sidelined with an upper-body injury, the Hurricanes on Tuesday recalled forwards Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty from the Albany River Rats of the AHL. Boychuk and Tlusty were called up Saturday by the Canes and played in a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers, then were reassigned to Albany.
Canes coach Paul Maurice said neither forward Erik Cole (upper-body injury) nor Chad LaRose (lower-body) would be able to return to practice this week. LaRose may start skating next week, Maurice said.
Ovechkin gets 'C': Alex Ovechkin has been selected as the Washington Capitals' team captain.
Ovechkin took the ice for Tuesday's home game against Montreal wearing the captain's "C" on his sweater. He was chosen by Capitals vice president George McPhee and coach Bruce Boudreau, who informed the team of their decision Tuesday morning, according to a team release.
The 24-year-old Ovechkin becomes the 14th captain in team history and is Washington's first European-born captain. He has served as one of the Capitals' alternate captains since his second NHL season, and replaces Chris Clark, who was traded to Columbus on Dec. 28.
Penguins' Kunitz out: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
The Penguins recalled forward Luca Caputi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) to replace Kunitz, who had six goals and 20 points in 30 games.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero says Kunitz played with the injury for an extended period before deciding the operation was needed.
The Associated Press
