Demitra, Pitkanen to Miss Start of Season

Take caution on draft day, the Canucks forward Pavol Demitra and Hurricanes defenceman Joni Pitkanen are both expected to miss the start of the season as they recover from surgery.  Demitra, 34, is expected to be out at least six weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a tear in his front and back rotator cuffs.  He had 53 points in 69 games last year.

Pitkanen is expected to be out 2-4 weeks after having knee surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his knee.