more details on Cole

There are more details on Erik Cole's status, and they're not good.

The team announced that Erik has suffered a compression fracture in a vertebra in his neck. He is expected to miss AT LEAST the remainder of the regular season. It should take 8-12 weeks to heal, meaning that he is likely lost for the better part of the playoffs as well.

There is no word, as of yet, on the fate of Brooks Orpik. All of the objective news sources are pointing towards multiple game suspension. Many Canes fans are screaming for a one year ban. I wouldn't go that far, but as I stated before, I do favor a suspension in the double digits. I'm sure we'll know by tomorrow morning.Edit: The News and Observer reported earlier today that the League isn't likely to hand down its decision until the Penguins next game, Tuesday night.

Until further notice, the banner in the masthead of this page has been replaced with one prominently featuring Cole's number 26. Our thoughts and best wishes will remain with Erik, his wife Emily, and their daughter Bella.