The Carolina Hurricanes have completed their first week of training camp as they prepare for the upcoming NHL season, set to begin on October 9. The team has been practicing in two groups and has played two exhibition games so far.
A key focus during camp has been the formation of a new line featuring summer signing Nikolaj Ehlers alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. This trio has practiced together consistently and made its game debut on Wednesday night. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented on the process of building chemistry within the group, stating, “(Developing chemistry) might take a couple of months. As will the details of where you are supposed to be and the way we want to operate things. The first (game’s) out of the way and now you have some things you can show and say, ‘Hey, here’s what we want, what we’re talking about’ and go from there.”
Ehlers expressed optimism about how the line is coming together: “You want to lay a foundation in practice, but ultimately, it’s the games that you find that chemistry, and you learn how to play with each other,” he said after his exhibition debut. “I think we did a lot of good things today, but also a lot of shifts where nothing was happening at all. That’s also part of playing in the NHL. We’ve got some work to do.”
Since Vincent Trocheck left in 2022, Carolina has sought a right-handed center for its lineup between Aho and Jordan Staal. Logan Stankoven is currently being tested in this role and scored Carolina’s only goal in their preseason opener on Monday. Brind’Amour noted after that game: “I thought he did a good job. That line was pretty good. Got a point on the power play, snapped it around pretty good, and I thought he looked pretty good up the middle.”
With Stankoven at center, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has centered another line with Eric Robinson. Mark Jankowski’s usage remains under observation as he recovers from injury.
Jaccob Slavin missed most of training camp due to an offseason injury but returned to practice Thursday with Group C1. Brind’Amour indicated that Slavin’s absence is precautionary and not expected to affect his availability for opening night.
On defense, K’Andre Miller continues recovering from surgery for an upper-body injury sustained late last season but is nearing full strength while skating daily in a no-contact jersey. Jalen Chatfield was paired with Miller early in camp before suffering his own minor injury; neither may appear in preseason games according to Brind’Amour.
Camp tryout Givani Smith has stood out by engaging physically during both preseason contests so far. Bradly Nadeau—Carolina’s 2023 first-round pick—has also played both exhibition games as coaches seek to accelerate his adjustment to NHL speed.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov missed Thursday’s practice due to what Brind’Amour described as a minor injury; he will remain sidelined until fully recovered.
The Hurricanes’ preseason schedule continues Friday against Tampa Bay Lightning before facing Nashville Predators on Sunday and Florida Panthers next Monday.
