This is not the news that the Carolina Hurricanes injury report needed. The injury bug could not have come at a worse time. Carolina Hurricanes Max Pacioretty is out for the remainder of the season. In the game against the Minnesota Wild, he needed assistance getting off the ice as he grabbed the back of his leg. This is not good news for him or the team. With the core group they have in place, he is part of the puzzle. With Max Pacioretty injured, the Hurricanes will have some decisions to make.
Max Pacioretty Injured Again
The #Canes have now officially announced that forward Max Pacioretty tore his right Achilles tendon last night.
The injury happened exactly two weeks after he had returned from suffering the same injury in August. pic.twitter.com/tswBXfXZg5
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) January 20, 2023
This is tough news. The Carolina Hurricanes had found their guy with Max Pacioretty. In the event of searching for depth scoring, he fits the bill, and it only cost the team future considerations. However, Pacioretty was out for most of the year with the same ruptured Achilles Tendon as now. He has only suited up in five games and has scored three goals. Just brutal news for Pacioretty and his health and also the team as they look toward a deep playoff run.
The Plan Going Forward
With Max Pacioretty injured and the trade deadline approaching, the plan got that much more precise. Pacioretty was brought in for more goal-scoring, and with him out of the lineup, that need for a goal-scorer just got bigger. In addition, they are rumoured to be in need of a top-six centre.
This team is relying heavily on its top six for production. When healthy, Pacioretty is a proven goal scorer (6x 30 goal scorer), and that type of production needs to be replaced. There are some potential options out there as Brock Boeser is on the trade block. Another guy they could check back in on as the deadline approaches is Vladimir Tarasenko. This is a player that is capable of filling the same void Pacioretty did and has the ability to find the back of the net. It will be a team to watch for as the deadline grows nearer.
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