Hamilton (undisclosed) will not be available against the Rangers on Saturday, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Hamilton's absence Saturday shouldn't come as a surprise, coach Rod Brind'Amour did offer a glimmer of hope when he told reporters he didn't expect the blueliner to miss the entire series. With the Toronto native on the shelf, deadline-acquisition Sami Vatanen figures to make his Canes debut and jump onto the top pairing with Jaccob Slavin.

According to Sara Civian of The Athletic, Hamilton's (undisclosed) timetable for return is "in the realm of weeks not months."

EDGE Analysis

This is a huge loss for the Hurricanes, as it sounds like Hamilton, who racked up 14 goals and 40 points in 47 games during the regular season, is in danger of missing the entirety of the team's qualifying round matchup with the Rangers. Sami Vatanen will likely get the first crack at replacing Hamilton on Carolina's top pairing alongside Jaccob Slavin.

Hamilton, who left Wednesday's practice early, did not take part in Thursday's practice session, Sara Civian of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton missed the final 21 games of the regular season due to a lower-body issue, but it's unclear if this latest issue is related. With the blueliner sidelined, Jake Bean took some extra reps with the defensive pairings, though it's Sami Vatanen who would most likely see the biggest uptick in ice time if Hamilton misses any of the play-in series clash with the Rangers.

Hamilton (lower body) will be ready to return when the NHL season resumes, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. "His rehab has gone very well. He's done everything that he needed to. He's been cleared," general manager Don Waddell said Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The Carolina defenseman is making a recovery from a fractured fibula suffered in January. He has yet to progress to on-ice work but Carolina does not need to rush that element with the season on pause for the foreseeable future. Once things begin ramping up in that regard, so too will Hamilton's activity to get him ready to return once games resume.

Hamilton (lower body) will look to get back onto the ice as soon as possible and could return to the lineup once the NHL season picks back up. Coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters, "I do know that he's been progressing, and he wanted to get on the ice, I heard, but there's no rinks, but he at least reached out about the possibility of that, so that's a good sign," Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to the league stoppage, the Hurricanes were without both Hamilton and trade-deadline acquisition Sami Vatanen (leg), leaving their blue line stretched a little thin. Once cleared to play, the 26-year-old Hamilton should return to being a top-end fantasy option on a nightly basis, especially considering he figures to return to the top power-play unit.

Hamilton underwent surgery Friday to repair a fractured fibula in his left leg suffered Thursday against Columbus and will be sidelined indefinitely.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton's break stems from an awkward tumble while tangled with the Blue Jackets' Kevin Stenlund and will unfortunately leave the Hurricanes without the budding blueliner for the foreseeable future. A clear timeline for his availability may be established down the road, but he's likely facing a lengthy recovery. Per coach Rod Brind'Amour, the injury is similar to one suffered by Jordan Staal in 2014, which wound up costing Staal three months, Michael Smith of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Hamilton sustained a broken leg in Thursday's clash with the Blue Jackets, Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the team hasn't provided a specific update yet, the news for Hamilton certainly isn't good. If the blueliner requires surgery, it will likely mean he'll miss the rest of the 2019-20 campaign, though that may be a possibility either way. With Hamilton on the shelf, Jake Gardiner and Haydn Fleury should both see an uptick in ice time. Once the Canes know more details about Hamilton's recovery timeline, they will likely designate him for injured reserve.

Hamilton suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's game against Columbus and won't return, Michael Smith of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton tangled his legs with Columbus' Kevin Stenlund in the second period and his leg bent all the way back underneath him. Hamilton had to be helped off the ice and was unable to put any weight on his left leg. This is tough news for the Hurricanes and Hamilton, as the 26-year-old is on pace for a career year with 40 points in 46 games thus far.

Hamilton collected an assist in Friday's 3-0 win over the Coyotes.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton's shot was tipped in by Lucas Wallmark for the Hurricanes' second tally. The 26-year-old is the fourth defenseman to reached the 40-point threshold this season, with 14 goals and 26 helpers in 44 contests. He's already topped his output from last year, and he's got his sights set on topping his career high of 50 from 2016-17 with the Flames. With a plus-29 rating, 160 shots on goal, and 28 PIM to round out his stat line, Hamilton can help fantasy owners in a variety of ways.

Hamilton tallied the game-winning goal and an assist with a plus-1 rating, two shots and three hits in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Flyers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old continued his rampant pace Tuesday, keeping him on pace for his first 25-goal and 70-point season season of his career. Maybe he doesn't quite reach those heights -- his career-high 8.8 shooting percentage may drop during the second half -- but nothing short of a severe injury will keep Hamilton from setting career highs in those categories. He has 14 goals and 39 points with 159 shots on net and a plus-28 rating in 43 games this season.