Curiously, Carolina Defenseman Tim Gleason Out a Week

The mystery surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes’ latest injury has been odd to say the least. It’s hard to say when it happened or what currently ails Tim Gleason, who’s already missed several games this year with a concussion stemming from a preseason fight with Montreal Canadiens forward Jarred Tinordi. Kirk Muller would not elaborate other than to call it a “lower body” concern — as specific as it gets in Carolina.

Muller says Gleason has a lower-body injury, but then said wasn't positive what to qualify it as. He will not make the trip to NJ.

— Chantel McCabe (@chantel_mccabe) November 26, 2013

Further adding to the puzzle is the fact that Gleason played up until the overtime game-winner in Saturday’s matinee against the Boston Bruins, then was deemed a healthy scratch in the following day’s victory over the Ottawa Senators. With the afternoon back-to-back, the Hurricanes hadn’t practiced, seemingly leaving Gleason no time to tweak anything.

Between the early injury and finding himself in the press box, not much has gone right in 2013-14 for Gleason. While out, Justin Faulk and Manny Malhotra have even shared the “A” that belonged on Gleason’s sweater.

…And yes, I did say on Sportscentre the Hurricanes have offered Ruutu and Tlusty to teams. Part of Canes search for a puck-moving d-man.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 23, 2013

Given the Hurricanes’ public desire of a puck-moving defenseman, ice time will be even harder to come by for the growing glut of blue-liners. The odds against Gleason’s battle back into the lineup are growing each day.