The wait is over and hockey is back in the RTP. While it won’t be played tonight at the PNC Arena, the Hurricanes will play their first game in the preseason tonight in Buffalo. The line-up tonight features a nice mix of prospects and guys that will most definitely make the team. Here it is below:
Skinner-Ryan-Di Giuseppe Jooris-Necas-Saarela McGinn-Poturalski-Miller Tolchinsky-Wallmark-Hofmann
Hanifin-Pesce Bean-Wesley Fleury-van Riemsdyk
Smith/Nedeljkovic (Smith starting but splitting game with Nedeljkovic)
I have a few quick thoughts:
•I am intrigued to see the Hanifin-Pesce pairing. I do think that this could be a potential pairing this season, as I could see Slavin and Faulk put together. I wrote an article after the Slavin signing and looked at the HERO charts and posed the question of Hanifin-Pesce happening. I am interested to see how they mesh together.
•Fleury and TVR together is also another pairing that could very possibly happen this year. There are two aspects that I am watching here:
1. Fleury is in a tough competition for the LHD spot on the third pairing. Other guys that are most likely in the race are Dalhbeck and Bean. While it is the first preseason game, it will be good to see how he looks this year.
2. TVR was one of the smart acquisitions this offseason. He ensured that the RHD for the third pairing was locked up this year. Last year featured Murphy, Dahlbeck, and Tennyson in the 6th RHD spot with Hanifin. I didn’t see much of him with Chicago, so I am excited to see what he brings.
•Martin Necas and Jake Bean. in the line-up should excite many Canes fans. Both were first round draft picks with Bean selected 13th overall in 2016 and Necas was selected this offseason at 12th.
I didn’t think Bean had much of a chance last year, but this year I imagine he will get an extended look. That being said, if Fleury is ready, it doesn’t make sense to bring Bean in a year early. I think Calm Before The Storm did an excellent job summarizing Bean. Click here to read it.
As for Necas, I’ve seen some of his highlights and saw some of his play in WJC-18 and 20. Overall, I haven’t gotten to see much, and I imagine that’s the same for most Canes fans. He will most likely be back playing with HC Kometa Brno, but it will be exciting to see a glimpse at the future.
•PDG and Saarela on the right peaked my interest. The 4th RW spot is pretty up for grabs, so perhaps this is a way to try and spread out the competition for the 4th line.
•Under the Radar: Gregory Hofmann. He was selected in 2011 in the 4th round by the Hurricanes and has spent seven seasons in the NL in Switzerland. He has put up around a point every other game the past five seasons in the NL and at 24 could be NHL ready.
As of now, this is my opening day roster (subject to change over the preseason):
Skinner – Rask – Lindholm Aho – Staal –Williams TT – Ryan – Stempniak McGinn – Kruger –Nordstrom
Slavin – Faulk Hanifin – Pesce Fleury –TVR
Darling/Ward
Scratches: PDG, Dahlbeck, and Miller/Jooris.