Prospect camps around the league will soon be underway, followed by training
camp, preseason, and then game number one of the regular season on Oct. 4 for
the Carolina Hurricanes. All of this will transpire just in the next month and
change, and it is indeed the most pivotal month of training, scrimmages, and
preparation for those eager to earn a roster spot for opening night.

Under this new Hurricanes regime, it isn't entirely clear what the game plan
will be when formulating the roster for that first tilt against the New York
Islanders at home in PNC Arena, but based on the guys in the system right now,
we actually have a pretty good idea as to what the 18-man roster will consist
of on Oct. 4. Here, we will break it down, line-by-line.Forwards1st  Line:
Teuvo Teravainen - Sebastian Aho - Micheal Ferland

The top line will likely remain looking similar to what it looked like for most
 of the back half of last season. Teravainen and Aho together makes the most
sense, as they showcases incredible chemistry and playmaking ability when
playing together on a line. With the absence of Elias Lindholm, one of the guys
 coming back from that trade, Micheal Ferland, is poised to replace him on the
top line.LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 21: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Calgary Flames
 (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ferland often played on the right wing alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean
Monahan in Calgary, and he saw plenty of success there. He's a guy who can
create lots of time and space for skilled players like Aho and Teravainen, and
he still chipped in with 20 goals last season, so he's far from an offensive
liability.

The main caveat to the makeup of this line is if Aho will/can be a full-time
center. He's shown ability at the position, but he is anything but a lock for a
 center role. I do believe that he will be started at center, however, just to
see if he's legit.2nd Line: Victor Rask - Jordan Staal - Andrei Svechnikov

Jordan Staal is, right now, the team's best centerman. He is excellent on both
sides of the puck, solid on faceoffs, and will be a good mentor for first-year
pro Andrei Svechnikov. It is important for both Svechnikov and Victor Rask to
see time in the top-six, but for separate reasons.Victor Rask, Carolina
Hurricanes, March 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Svechnikov will be able to play in a bit of a sheltered role on the second line
 to help him develop, and Rask needs to find his game again after a below
average campaign in 2017-18. Removing Rask from his typical center role should
help him focus on his creativity and playmaking abilities as he moves away from
 the defensive responsibilities that come with playing down the middle. Staal
will be a great anchor for the two young, gifted wingers at his flanks.3rd
Line: Brock McGinn - Martin Necas - Justin Williams

It pains me to have Justin Williams in the bottom-six, but it is necessary for
his role as a top scorer on the ΓÇÿCanes to take a back seat to his role as a
mentor and a leader. The great thing is that Williams can still play hockey in
the NHL at a high level, so he will be an excellent option deeper in the lineup
 and may help rookie Martin Necas develop his abilities.Justin Williams,
Carolina Hurricanes, Mar. 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

It isn't a guarantee that Necas will play center all day, every day, but he was
 drafted as a center and that is his natural position, so it is important to
examine the goods. I honestly like Brock McGinn for a top-six role, but I think
 a more realistic starting point for him is as a third-line wing. He has
tremendous speed and can use his body effectively, which are great qualities
for a "checking" line.4th Line: Phil Di Giuseppe - Jordan Martinook - Saku
Maenalanen

Di Giuseppe disappointed a bit last season. He isn't a bad player, but he often
 played in the top nine under Bill Peters, and I'm not sure that is where he
can be most effective for the time being. He has the ability to be a top nine
forward, but when it comes down to him, McGinn, Rask, and Teravainen for the
left wing spots, Di Giuseppe is currently the odd man out in earning an
elevated role.Phillip Di Giuseppe, Carolina Hurricanes, Mar. 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin
 / The Hockey Writers)

As for Jordan Martinook, he saw a heavy workload at center two seasons ago
where he had a 44.4 faceoff win percentage, and he was subsequently placed in a
 winger role last season. Interestingly, last season is where he saw his point
production (6-9-15) drop substantially in relation to his average from his
first two full seasons (10-14.5-24.5). I imagine that he will be plugged back
into a center role to see if he can improve his successfulness on the draws.

Finally, I am a big believer in Saku Maenalanen and his ability as a bit of an
elder rookie at 24 years old to beat out less matured guys like Warren Foegele
and Valentin Zykov for a roster spot. We will see if that actually comes to
fruition.

On the cusp: Warren Foegele, Lucas Wallmark, Valentin ZykovDefensemen1st
Pairing: Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton

Slavin and Brett Pesce have combined into a great shutdown defense pairing with
 chemistry in the past, but last season saw their performance take a bit of a
depth, so it might be time for a change considering the new faces coming into
the defense corps fold.

Hamilton has been a dominant force on the right side throughout his career, and
 his strength as a puck moving, play driver will be an excellent compliment to
Slavin';s ability to command the neutral zone. These two young defensemen have
also produced well-above-average possession metrics for the last couple of
years, and together they could combine into a difficult pairing to deal
with.2nd Pairing: Justin Faulk - Brett Pesce

Putting Faulk and Pesce together may just be what each of them needs to be
successful. This pairing was never really tried and tested under Peters, mostly
 because it requires one or the other to play on their off side. However, it
appears that one righty will need to play on the left at the start due to an
imbalance of handedness (four rights, two lefts).Justin Faulk, Carolina
Hurricanes, Mar. 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

In any case, the need for defensemen to play on their 'right side'; is a bit
overblown, and icing the six best available defensemen is much more important,
but I digress. Similarly to Slavin/Hamilton, Faulk and Pesce could be great
together because Pesce';s tendency to hang back and shut down the neutral zone
allows for Faulk to be the puck mover that he can be.

With this incredibly deep defense corps that the 'Canes will boast this season,
 it is looking like defensemen will help drive the offense a bit more under Rod
 Brind';Amour, and this could be a very deadly second pairing on both sides of
the puck.3rd Pairing: Calvin de Haan - Trevor van Riemsdyk

Later in the season, I like de Haan to take up a more prominent role in the
top-four, but for a guy who hasn';t played NHL hockey since Dec. 16, 2017,
Brind';Amour would be wise to roll back his usage initially, especially as he
joins a new team with new teammates.Calvin De Haan, February 9, 2017 New York
Islanders versus Philadelphia Flyers (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

De Haan is an incredible player to round out the defense corps, as he is
excellent in his two-way game. He will be a great guy to pair with one of the
most positionally sound players on the back end in Trevor van Riemsdyk. TVR
really shone on the third pairing when he came over to the Triangle last
season, proving he could be a solid blueliner without being flashy. His stable
presence should help de Haan to get back into the swing of things in the NHL.

On the cusp: Hadyn Fleury, Michael Fora, Roland McKeown, Trevor
CarrickGoaltendersScott Darling - Petr Mrazek

It is a make-or-break year for Scott Darling. After a historically bad season
both for him and for 'Canes goaltending as a whole, it is on his shoulders to
carry the bulk of the load in nets for the Hurricanes. He';s proven to have
talent, now he needs to prove he can be a starting goaltender all season
long.Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling makes a save during warmup
against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

His work this summer with head strength and conditioning coach Bill Burniston
has certainly been encouraging to hear about via Mike Maniscalco and Michael
Smith';s CanesCast, and Darling';s drive to be better and stronger is poised to
 be a precursor to a return to form.

However, if that does not come to fruition, another skilled goaltender-who is
on a one-year deal-in Petr Mrazek will likely be eager to take the crease. The
increased competition can only benefit all parties involved.

On the Cusp in the Crease: Alex Nedeljkovic

Much could change in the next month, and soon we will see all of these guys in
action. We may just see some unexpected developments shake up the roster
entirely. Maybe they ice seven defensemen with Haydn Fleury being NHL-ready, or
 maybe there';s an injury, or maybe somebody who appeared to be a lock as a
Charlotte Checker this season proves everybody wrong and earns a spot. In any
case, Brind';Amour has some work to do.

The post Hurricanes'; Opening Night Roster: Who Makes the Cut? appeared first
on The Hockey Writers.

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