Training camp for the Carolina Hurricanes begins on Thursday, with the second group taking the ice at 9 am in Morrisville, followed two hours later by the main group. This means that we are less than two weeks away from Opening Night and the beginning of the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup defense. Hockey season is officially right around the corner.
Unlike in years past, it seems like there's a lot more intrigue surrounding training camp for the Canes. There are actually roster spots up for grabs, and a potential holdout has cast a small cloud over the proceedings. With everyone finally coming together to start the new season on Thursday, here are some of the storylines to watch as the Canes' camp gets rolling.
1. The seemingly never-ending Alexander Nikishin saga
There are several stories throughout the league capturing more headlines, but the fans in Raleigh have a vested interest in seeing how Alexander Nikishin's current situation plays out. When the team announced its training camp roster on Wednesday, an additional statement was released with it, saying that Nikishin wouldn't be at camp because he isn't under contract.
The team has seemingly tried to facilitate a trade for months now, and it was clarified in recent days that Nikishin and his team asked for a change of scenery. The front office hasn't pulled the trigger on anything yet, and it's unclear when we'll get a resolution. Nikishin has drawn plenty of interest around the league, but unlike a few other high-profile situations, the Canes hold all of the leverage.
2. If Nikishin is gone, there's a spot open on defense
Heading into camp, there are five spots on defense locked in. With Nikishin not at camp, the sixth spot in the lineup is up for grabs, and there's no shortage of players in the running. Essentially, I think there are five defensemen fighting for two roster spots. The Canes have done some work in the lead-up to camp to add several options on the blue line.
Mike Reilly has the inside track for one of the spots, rejoining the team on a one-year deal. It feels like he's destined to be the seventh defender once again. Charles Alexis Legault impressed at the Prospect Showcase. Joel Nystrom played nearly half of last season with Carolina. Juuso Valimaki and Pierre-Olivier Joseph also have considerable NHL experience. There are decisions to be made.
3. The forward alignment is in the air with Jarvis out
We received a seemingly positive update on Seth Jarvis last week before the prospects took the ice for practice, but he's still not going to be ready for the start of the season. This means that a forward spot is open, too. While it doesn't necessarily mean that the spot is on the top line next to Sebastian Aho, it's not out of the question right now.
The assumption has long been that the open spot is likely to come down to prospects Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum. Both are ready to make the jump, putting up big numbers in the AHL. I think a more realistic lineup sees Nikolaj Ehlers moving back to Aho's wing while one of the prospects starts next to the captain and gets some time on the second power play. The possibilities are endless.
4. Bussi and Kochetkov battle in the net
The Hurricanes appear very comfortable rolling with a tandem of Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov to begin the season. Bussi was one of the league's best stories of last season, winning 31 games in his first year before hopping into the net for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and leading the team to the end. Kochetkov was limited to nine games because of injuries, but he played well when healthy.
If the season began today, I think Bussi gets the start on Opening Night against Florida, but a lot can change over the next two weeks. If one looks so much better than the other, the choice might become obvious. Without a superstar in the net, the Canes will likely return to their tandem system, tying their best to split the starts evenly. I'm intrigued to see how each looks during the preseason.
5. Does the front office have anything else in the works?
I know that everyone is tired of hearing about it, but the Carolina Hurricanes remain in the thick of the Connor Hellebuyck saga. The Jets suspended him on Wednesday night after he refused to show up for camp amidst his trade request. Winnipeg has hated every offer thrown their way, though this new development is only making things worse. It might be resolved soon, with the Canes swooping in.
Less talked about is the fact that Jesperi Kotkaniemi, despite being a potential buyout candidate earlier in the summer, is still on the roster. There were reports that the team wants to include him in a Nikishin deal, though that was months ago. It's a little crazy to think that he's still on the roster right now, but that could easily change before the new season begins.
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