Hockey was back in the Triangle on Sunday afternoon as the Carolina Hurricanes sent their prospects onto the ice to open the showcase in Morrisville. The games over the next three days might not count for anything, but seeing the puck drop and the potential Hurricanes of tomorrow competing was enough to bring a smile to our faces.
Ruslan Khazheyev drew the assignment for the Canes in the net, and with only two goalies available, he was expected to go the entire game. The team also announced that Stiven Sardarian, whom the Canes acquired this offseason, would be unavailable for the showcase. TJ Semptimphelter stood across from Khazheyev for the visiting Predators.
Both sides came out with some bite in the first period. The Canes' captain for the showcase, Charles Alexis Legault, was front and center. He laid a massive hit on his opening shift before dropping the gloves with Kalan Lind just about halfway through the frame. Meanwhile, both goalies were playing well, with Khazheyev doing a good job of keeping Brady Martin quiet in a scoreless first period.
Nashville got the first goal early in the second. David Edstrom's shot hit the post and popped right to Michel Myloserdnyy, who put it past Khazheyev's left pad. The Canes took control during the middle portion, only to find their chances thwarted. Late in the period, Cole O'Hara took advantage of busted coverage on the power play, snapping a shot home from the right dot to double the Predators' lead.
It took a bit for the Canes to get on the scoreboard. Zach Lansard was in the right spot to capitalize on a Predators turnover, skating in and beating Ben Hrebik, who'd taken over midway through the second. The Canes had chances to tie it, but they couldn't. Aiden Fink buried a breakaway with 74 seconds left, and Vitali Pinchuk scored into the empty net to secure a 4-1 Nashville win.
Khazheyev put forth an impressive out, despite the result
Before the showcase, Ruslan Khazheyev was one of the prospects whose performance I was paying close attention to, seeing this as an opportunity to secure the backup spot in the AHL. That same day, the team re-signed Cayden Primeau, so it feels like Khazheyev will be back in Greensboro to begin the season. In some ways, this game was representative of what he dealt with last year.
To be fair, this team was probably better than the one Khazheyev played behind, but he still found a way to truly stand out. Khazheyev made a few outstanding stops in this game to keep the Canes in it. Maybe you'd like a save on the second or third goal, though the offensive support he got wasn't good enough. It's a performance that should have the organization feeling very good about Khazheyev.
Those with NHL experience looked pretty sharp at moments
Rod Brind'Amour joined Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy in the booth for the third period, and while we all know these games don't mean much in the grand calculus of the season, there is a lot to look for from a coaching standpoint. The Canes' bench boss was very complimentary of the way Charles Alexis Legault, Bradly Nadeau, and Felix Unger Sorum have developed.
All three represent the team's leadership group this weekend, and all three are in the running for Opening Night roster spots. Leagult asserted himself early, while Nadeau and Unger Sorum generated chances late. They looked like Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on the penalty kill without the finish. They weren't on the scoresheet today, but there was plenty to like from them throughout.
Of course, we're going to keep our eyes on the players who are more likely to help the Canes now or in the near future, but this is a big opportunity for everyone in attendance. Zach Lansard scored Carolina's only goal, and he had a few other very good chances before scoring. Chase Lefebvre had a breakaway chance stopped in the second and a 2-on-1 denied in the third.
The Canes will play their final game of the showcase against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. That game will also be streamed on the team's website. Then, training camp begins on Thursday, with the preseason opener in Sunrise on Sunday.
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