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Carolina Hurricanes: Odds Each Player Is On The Opening Night Roster

By Robert Leonard

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 31: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates Warren Fogele #13, Clark Bishop #64, Dougie Hamilton #19 and Brett Pesce #22 during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 31, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 31: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates Warren Fogele #13, Clark Bishop #64, Dougie Hamilton #19 and Brett Pesce #22 during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 31, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

70 Percent Chance

Adding to the complex defense situation – and the only guy of the eight possible current Hurricanes blue liners we haven’t mentioned yet – is Dougie Hamilton. Simply put, if this blue liner for scorer deal happens, Hamilton is absolutely the most likely of the group to be moved.

Hamilton is signed through 2021 which really adds to him being the guy. His new team would get a power play and goal scoring machine, a guy who just went through a playoff race and a player not on expiring deal. If it doesn’t work out? No problem, easily move him in the next off season or don’t re-sign him after 2021. The risk reward for a team with Hamilton is so low, it just makes the most sense.

The Van Riesmdyk injury – and the fact that De Haan may not be 100 percent to start the year either – point towards thinking the opening night blue line is Slavin, Pesce, Faulk, De Haan, Hamilton and Fleury – but those odds have to be at best 50 percent.

Individually speaking, there is really good chance that 7 of these 8 defensemen mentioned are Hurricanes. But who the odd man out is really is the question of the off-season. It could be as simple as Bean needs another year and they stick with this seven. Or we could see two or three moved. It’s really up in the air at this point.

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