Carolina Hurricanes: Dougie Hamilton is Injured Again

The Carolina Hurricanes have lost their star defender again

Dougie Hamilton, star defender for the Carolina Hurricanes is not expected to be in the lineup against the Rangers next week due to another injury.

Dougie Hamilton left practice early on Wednesday and was quickly followed into the training room by head trainer Doug Bennett. Since then he has yet to come back out on the ice. For a Carolina Hurricanes team that has been hoping for his return in order to complete the most fearsome defense in the league, this has been a serious setback.

When asked about Hamilton’s absence head coach Rod Brind’amour followed the standard protocol during this COVID era of Hockey:

"“I can’t talk about his injury. That’s it, I guess. He’s unfit to play at this moment.”-Rod Brind’amour"

But fret not Canes fans, it seems as if this injury is unrelated to his previous injury which had him sidelined since January and could be a much more manageable one for the team:

This gives hope for Dougie Hamilton’s trip up to Toronto and into the bubble. If his return to play is only weeks away, it is possible for him to join the team in the first round of the playoffs, granted they get past the New York Rangers in the Play-in round without his help on both ends of the ice.

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The Carolina Hurricanes are going to need Dougie Hamilton for a deep run towards the Stanley Cup Finals. Luckily that deep of a run will take months, ensuring that Hamilton will be on the ice for the team sooner rather than later. By later I mean next season. The only remaining question is if he can remain healthy.

The answer to that question depends on the actual undisclosed injury that Hamilton sustained at practice and the severity of it. The fact that his timetable for return is only weeks away for a Carolina Hurricanes team that is always generous with the timelines for return is good news for one of the best defenders in the league.

Right now the team has to go into Toronto and make quick work of the New York Rangers and progress forward to face whatever round-robin team draws them. They do that and mark my words now, Dougie Hamilton will be back on the ice in a heroic return to help lead this team to a very possible and plausible return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Question for CC Readers: Do you think the Hurricanes can win without Hamilton?