"It affects everything," general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday, three days before the season-opener against the Florida Panthers. "Scott Walker is a special player for us. It affects the whole balance of our forwards and what [coach] Peter [Laviolette] does with all of our players."

In Tuesday's practice, Chad LaRose moved into Matt Cullen's line -- the defense-oriented third line -- with Ryan Bayda.

Cullen said it's frustrating to lose another key right wing, "especially since it was a preseason game."

Walker, who underwent surgery Monday to repair ligament in his left hand, hurt that hand fighting Philadelphia Flyers' defenseman Nate Guenin in retaliation for Guenin blindsiding Cullen on Sept. 28. Walker tried to play through the injury last week, bandaging his hand.

"People don't always understand all that he brings to the team," said Cullen.

"There's only a few guys in this league that like to play the style of game he does," Bayda said. "He can score goals. He'll fight. He brings it all to the table and brings it on a consistent basis. It's something you can't replace. You just try to deal with it."

On top of the grit and toughness Walker brought to the line, he scored 14 goals last year in 58 games. While he's expected back in about six weeks, the Canes are also reeling from the loss of right wing Justin Williams, who scored nine goals in 37 games last season. Williams is expected out for four to six months after tearing an Achilles tendon in September.

"When you already lose Williams on the right side, now you lose Walker on the right side, you're losing depth up front," coach Peter Laviolette said. "Guys that can score 20 goals. You're also taking a real character, heart and soul guy out of the lineup.

"You saw what he did for Matt [in that] exhibition game. He didn't like the way Matt was hit. That's the kind of guy Scott Walker is. So you take that from the lineup and you're missing a valuable piece."

LaRose had 11 goals in 58 games last season, and Bayda said LaRose brings some of the toughness that Walker possesses.

LaRose knows those are big skates to fill.

"He's a lot more tough than I am, but I am going to try to play that role," LaRose said. "Be an energy guy for this crowd and get the team going."

"I think they're different players," Laviolette said. "Rosie is a guy that shows work ethic. It's very visible that he gives you everything that he's got every shift on the ice. He's earned himself a good position through training camp. And now he's got an opportunity to play in the top nine with some pretty good players, kill some penalties for us. It's a good chance for Chad."

With LaRose moving out of the fourth line in Tuesday's practice, newly signed Dan LaCouture joined center Brandon Sutter and winger Wade Brookbank.

The other lines Tuesday had Rod Brind'Amour centering Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu, and Eric Staal centering the line with Patrick Eaves and Ray Whitney.

Rutherford said Walker's injury created a spot for LaCouture, though the Canes planned on keeping him in the organization. The team signed him to a one-year deal Monday.

"It opened the door for him to start the season here," Rutherford said. "Based on Danny's camp, we were going to sign him regardless."

THREE SENT TO ALBANY: The Hurricanes have sent three more players back to the minor leagues.

The team said Tuesday that forwards Joe Jensen and Trevor Gillies and defenseman Tim Conboy have been assigned to their top minor-league affiliate, the Albany River Rats.

That left 25 players on the roster three days before the regular season opener against Florida.

LORD STANLEY'S BLOG

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

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