Hurricanes activate LW LaRose from IR

Mar 28, 2008 - 5:08 PM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Hurricanes activated left wing Chad LaRose from injured reserve prior to Friday's game against the Atlanta Thrashers.

LaRose, 26, had been sidelined with a broken left leg since February 5. The Michigan native suffered the injury while crashing into the boards during a contest against the Nashville Predators.

The 5-10 LaRose has seven goals and 17 assists in 53 games this season and has been a key contributor on Carolina's penalty-killing unit.

The return of LaRose figures to bolster the Hurricanes (41-30-6), who enter Friday's contest with a slim lead atop the Southeast Division standings. Carolina has 88 points, two ahead of the second-place Washington Capitals (39-31-8).

To make room for LaRose on the roster, the Hurricanes placed right wing Patrick Eaves on injured reserve.

Eaves underwent left shoulder surgery Friday morning at Rex Outpatient Hospital in Cary, North Carolina and will be sidelined two to three weeks.

Acquired last month in a four-player trade with the Ottawa Senators, Eaves has one goal and four assists in 11 games with the Hurricanes. The Calgary native has scored five goals and 15 points in 37 games overall this season.