Hurricanes’ Charles-Alexis Legault out multiple months following surgery

Legault’s injury occured during Carolina’s 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, when he accidentally sliced his hand on the skate blade of Toronto’s Nick Robertson in a skirmish at the end of the first period.

The injury comes at a poor time for the Hurricanes, who are already dealing with a number of absences along their blueline. Jacob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield are on injured reserve and not expected to return imminently. Shayne Gostisbehere is also on injured reserve, but could be back sooner rather than later.

Legault, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft by Carolina, made his NHL debut on October 20th after beginning this season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. The Montreal native has played in eight games for Carolina so far, registering a goal and an assist while averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time per game.

Last year, Legault played 63 game for the Hurricanes AHL affiliate in Chicago, where he put up three goals and 11 assists for 14 points, to go along with a plus-11 plus/minus rating.

Prior to turning pro, Legault played collegiately at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. In his final season at Quinnipiac, Legault notched nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 39 games played.

Carolina has gotten off to a strong start this season, having earned 22 points in 15 games, with a plus-17 goal differential.

The Hurricanes will kick off a three-game homestand when they host the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.