After two days off since their win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes returned to the ice on Friday before jumping on a flight to Winnipeg to begin their five-game State Fair road trip. Along with some time on the ice, the Canes took a minute to update us on the status of two forwards. Meanwhile, the new guys got on the ice, giving us a look at what to expect on Saturday.
Taylor Hall is week-to-week with an upper body injury
We'll begin with some somber news. Taylor Hall was absent from the bench to begin the second period on Tuesday night against the Capitals. He returned briefly to join the second unit on the power play, but he was only on the ice for a few seconds before returning to the locker room for good. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game by the final commercial break of the frame.
We waited a few days for the prognosis before Rod Brind'Amour finally announced that Hall would be week-to-week with an upper-body injury, likely the result of a first-period collision with Justin Sourdif along the boards. It's a serious blow to the group, which managed to beat the Capitals with just 11 forwards on the bench. As a result, the team called up Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum.
Seth Jarvis is joining the team on the road trip
Now, we'll get to the fun stuff. Seth Jarvis is yet to play this season after getting the offseason shoulder surgery he'd been putting off for years. Initial estimates were that he'd be out into November or December, with a possibility that he'd be out into the new year. However, Jarvis has already shed his no-contact sweater, and his return might be imminent.
Before taking to the skies to Winnipeg, Jarvis's hometown, Brind'Amour said that the injured winger would join the team for the road trip. Jarvis has not been cleared to play yet, but his accompanying the group on the trip suggests that he could make his season debut at some point next week. I'm putting my official guess for the Edmonton game, though I'm more concerned that he's healthy.
Nadeau, Unger Sorum get their assignments with the big squad
With the injuries to their forward group, the Hurricanes called up both Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum to fill in. At Friday's practice, we got our first look at where they'd likely be to start. Nadeau was in Hall's spot next to Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, while Unger Sorum joined the fourth line with Eric Robinson and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, taking Nicolas Deslauriers' spot.
Additionally, both Nadeau and Unger Sorum joined the team's second power-play unit, along with Stankoven, Mark Jankowski, and K'Andre Miller. This is a huge opportunity for both players, being trusted on special teams. Nadeau has played 15 games over the last three years, recording three goals and an assist, while Unger Sorum made his NHL debut in last year's finale, picking up an assist.
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