RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Carolina right wing Justin Williams will miss at least four months after tearing a knee ligament, general manager Jim Rutherford said Friday.

The Hurricanes also placed forward Chad LaRose on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 18 because if a concussion, and recalled forward Brandon Nolan from Albany of the AHL.

Williams, an All-Star last season who has nine goals and 21 assists this season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the first period of the Hurricanes' 5-4 loss at Florida on Thursday night.

The team will schedule surgery next week, and Williams is expected to miss between four to six months. Before the injury, Williams had played in 205 consecutive regular-season games dating to March 27, 2004.

Sucks for Carolina to have such an important player out for so long. I hope that with such an explosive player out, Carolina will realize the importance of improving their defense (which has allowed like 2nd or 3rd most goals in the NHL).