Preseason Preview: September 27 vs. Florida

Canes look to start their exhibition slate 2-0

By Walt Ruff

@WaltRuff Hurricanes.com

September 27, 2023

RALEIGH, NC. - The Carolina Hurricanes host their annual Community Preseason Game on Wednesday, featuring free parking and $10 general admission seating as they host the Florida Panthers.

-

When: Wednesday, September 27

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Watch: A stream to watch tonight's game will be available on the homepage of Hurricanes.com around 6:30 p.m. ET.

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Double Duty

Seven players who skated in last night's 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to dress again in tonight's affair - Zach Aston-Reese, Kieffer Bellows, Brendan Perlini, Jamieson Rees, Justin Robidas, Ryan Suzuki, and Felix Unger Sorum.

Debut Day

Summer free agent signings Michael Bunting and Brendan Lemieux are listed on tonight's lineup card, playing in their first game action with the club.

In Net

After Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov split last night's victory in net, Antti Raanta and Yaniv Perets will be tonight's duo. Raanta posted a 19-3-3 record last season, while Perets signed as a free agent in the spring after winning an NCAA Championship with Quinnipiac. Perets also stopped 41/44 over the course of a game and a half during this month's Southeast Rookie Showcase.

Brind'Amour vs. Brind'Amour

Skyler Brind'Amour, son of Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, will be in the lineup this evening for Florida. The Raleigh-born 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Charlotte Checkers, AHL affiliate of the Panthers, this spring.

Stevie Returns

Former Hurricane fan-favorite Stevie Lorentz is also expected to play tonight for the Cats. Lorentz was moved to Florida this summer from San Jose, after being included in the deal that brought Brent Burns to Raleigh.

"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.

Brent Burns made his NHL debut on October 8, 2003. Felix Unger Sorum was born 707 days later, on September 14, 2005.

Both will be in the #Canes lineup on Wednesday. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1AYVHiUnh2
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) September 27, 2023

Injury Updates

Forward Vasily Ponomarev will "miss some time" due to a knee injury suffered on the first day of training camp (9/22), per Rod Brind'Amour.
Forward Andrei Svechnikov remains skating in a no-contact jersey as he makes his way back from ACL surgery in March.

What Are We Wearing?

Carolina will be wearing their white uniforms for all six preseason games.

Additional Game Information

Parking for tonight's game is free. Concessions and merchandise will also be discounted as a part of this evening's Community Preseason Game.

What's Next After Tonight?

The Canes are set to practice on Thursday before playing their first split-squad doubleheader on Friday. A group of Canes will take on the Florida Panthers in Sunrise starting at 6 p.m., while another group heads to Tampa to take on the Lightning at 7 p.m.