Canes trio close to return

Forwards Cullen and Sutter, defenseman Pitkanen improved

RALEIGH -- Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette said Monday that injured forwards Matt Cullen and Brandon Sutter and defenseman Joni Pitkanen could soon return from injuries.

Pitkanen and Sutter were lost in the Oct. 25 road game against the New York Islanders -- Sutter with a concussion and Pitkanen a knee injury. Cullen has missed the past five games with a groin injury.

"We could have some guys rolling back," Laviolette said.

One player who could be sitting out a few more games is forward Patrick Eaves, who was injured in a collision with teammate Wade Brookbank during Thursday's game against the Washington Capitals and has been out two games. The nature of Eaves' injury has not been disclosed.

"He's a ways away," Laviolette said. "He's still got some problems relative to the hit. He hasn't made it in to be tested to possibly get cleared, so that tells me he's still a ways away."

Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle, who received a hairline foot fracture Oct. 17 blocking a shot against the Los Angeles Kings, has been skating in individual workouts at the RBC Center.

The Hurricanes on Monday reassigned forward Michael Ryan to the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Ryan was called up last week after Eaves' injury and played in two games.

Also, Greg Stefan, 47, has been appointed the team's special assignments scout, and Mike Vellucci, 42, will take over Stefan's head coaching duties for the Plymouth Whalers.

Stefan served two-plus seasons on the Hurricanes' coaching staff as goaltending coach/pro scout before taking over as Plymouth's head coach this past December.

The Canes face Washington in a Southeast Division game Wednesday at the RBC Center, followed by divisional games against the Atlanta Thrashers and Tampa Bay Lighting.

Keep up with breaking news and the latest on the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL from N&O staff writer Chip Alexander.