Preseason Preview: September 22 vs. Tampa Bay

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes begin their six-game exhibition schedule on Monday, hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning at Lenovo Center.

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When: Monday, September 22

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: Hurricanes.com | (Please note that the stream will be geo-restricted to those in the Raleigh and Tampa markets.)

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Veteran Rule...

• As a reminder, NHL teams must dress at least eight “veterans” in each preseason contest. “Veterans” are skaters who played 30 NHL games the previous season, goalies who dressed in 50 NHL games or played in 30 NHL games the previous year, any player who has played 100+ NHL games, or a current year first-round pick.

Debutants...

• If you count defenseman Joel Nystrom, the Canes will have six players on their roster tonight playing in a Canes sweater for the very first time. Nystrom skated in last week's Prospects Showcase with the organization, but this will be his first NHL preseason action.
• The 2021 draft pick will be joined by all three training camp tryouts, Givani Smith, Oliver Kylington, and Kevin Labanc, as well as summer acquisition Cayden Primeau and free agent signing Gavin Bayreuther.

Seeing The Future...

• Speaking of the organization's draft picks, tonight's lineup includes 10 players who were obtained via the draft.
• Highlighted by Bradly Nadeau, who is set to enter his second pro season, he'll look to show the coaching staff that he's closing in on an NHL spot after becoming just the fourth teenager in AHL history to break the 30-goal mark last season.

In Net...

• With Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov getting the night off, fans will have an opportunity to see one of, or maybe two key pieces to Carolina's pipeline this season.
• Cayden Primeau was acquired from Montreal on June 30 and signed to a one-year contract on July 1. He registered a 21-2-3 record, 1.96 GAA, and .927 SV% in 26 games with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League last season. He and teammate Connor Hughes won the 2025 Harry Holmes Award, awarded to the best goaltending duo in the AHL. The 26-year-old is also the son of former Hurricanes Captain, Keith Primeau.
• 20-year-old Ruslan Khazheyev is set for his second pro season in North America. A fifth-round draft pick of the organization, Khazheyev played in 20 games with the Chicago Wolves this year and impressed at last week's Prospects Showcase in Florida.

Injury Updates

• Defenseman Jaccob Slavin has not skated yet in training camp due to a minor injury. Rod Brind'Amour said on Sept. 21, that the defender may not play in preseason games.
• Defenseman Jalen Chatfield did not practice on Saturday or Sunday due to a minor injury of his own. Like Slavin, Brind'Amour said he would not be concerned if Chatfield does not play in any preseason games.
• Forward Juha Jaaska has been dealing with a "minor injury" since Sept. 21. He is considered day-to-day.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their new white uniforms at home throughout the preseason.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to have their first off day of training camp on Tuesday. They'll return to action on Wednesday at home against the Florida Panthers for their annual Community Preseason Game. $10 general admission tickets remain available for purchase here.
• Next Game: Wednesday, Sept. 24 vs. Florida | 6:00 p.m. ET | Tickets | Parking