With a couple days of practice and the Caniac Carnival already in the rearview mirror, the preseason starts in earnest with three games in three days starting tonight in Buffalo. Someone holler if he/she finds a video stream, but I had a couple contacts from Buffalo ping me to ask if the Hurricanes would have one. They were not aware of one from the Buffalo side. There should be a radio version available online with a chance to enjoy Chuck Kaiton’s call.
The run of three games offers a first chance for Peters to evaluate players outside of the current lineup as possible upgrades and also begin to assess his working version of forward lines, defense pairings and special teams units.
Getting an early read on the situation is the subject of today’s Coffee Shop polls and discussion.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) Which player on the outside looking in on the current lineup do you think will most impress in the first run of three preseason games and gain NHL roster consideration in the process?
2) What combinations of players are you watching most closely this week?
3) The first run of preseason games will have been a big success if _____________.
Go Canes!
1) Anybody’s guess? I’ll go with Wallmark.
2) I’m watching the coach to find whatever chemistry between any players and give it a fair chance to work.
3) Success if the Canes are even harder to score against than last season.
I selected “Other” for the first poll – rather than viewing this as which “parts of the lineup” I went with one player for evaluation and that would be Necas. See my comment in an earlier Matt column today for why.
1. Necas is already being considered for the opening day roster in a serious way. I don’t think any other player on the outside will reach that status during the preseason.
2. Necas and the two NHLers on his wings when that line plays (I am hoping the Tampa game on Wednesday, as I will be there).
3. “…a big success if” all the prospects get at least one chance on NHL ice to show what they can do if called upon, and what they need to improve to get to the “Big Show”.
1. Necas seems to be the most obvious choice here, but other possibles are: Zykov, Saarela, Foegele (my current favorite), and Wallmark.
2. I’m most interested in this group of forwards PLUS Jooris and Kruger, and of course the other new guys…
3. More than a couple of these guys (already mentioned) and our 7th and 8th Dmen look capable to replace any injured starters!
Depth – seems to be the name of the game…both for dealing with injuries, and DEALING!!!
1. PDG. He’s got some vets in front of him ,and Wallmark, and some rookies behind him.
2. I’m looking to see which of our prospects beyond Necas gets put into the “last cut, 1st callup group”. Gauthier? Saarela?
3. The PP looks good. And if Aho, Lindholm ,and Ward look like they are picking up where they left off from last season.