Canes' Boychuk close to returning

RALEIGH -- Carolina Hurricanes rookie Zach Boychuk apparently is a fast healer.

The Canes' first-round draft choice had a pin removed from his surgically repaired left wrist last week and said he might be out two weeks. But the forward was in practice Thursday at the RBC Center, skating, stickhandling and shooting the puck.

Boychuk said he could be cleared for contact work Monday and possibly play next week against the Los Angeles Kings (Oct. 17) or Anaheim Ducks (Oct. 19) on a West Coast swing.

"If all goes well, I'd love to play in L.A. That's kind of the plan," he said Thursday.

Boychuk had wrist surgery in July. Dr. George Edwards, the Raleigh surgeon who handled the operation and removed the pin, cleared Boychuk for team practice.

Boychuk, who starred last year for the Lethbridge (Alberta) Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League, played mostly left wing in junior hockey but said he would be comfortable on the right wing, if needed. With injuries to Justin Williams and Scott Walker, the Hurricanes have that need.

"Hopefully, I can fit in somewhere in the lineup against L.A.," he said.