Preseason Preview: September 29 @ Florida and Tampa Bay

RALEIGH, NC. - For the first time in Carolina Hurricanes history, the team will pull double duty, playing a pair of split-squad games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.

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When: Friday, September 29

Puck Drop: 6 & 7 p.m. ET

Watch: Two different links to watch tonight's games will be available on the front page of Hurricanes.com shortly prior to each puck drop.

Listen: Radio broadcasts will not be available for either game tonight.

Preseason So Far

• 5-2 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, September 26
• 4-1 Win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, September 27

More Veteran Cast In Tampa

• As Rod Brind'Amour said would be the case on Thursday, one of the two lineups features more NHL-experienced players. That would be the group taking on Tampa Bay, as a prospect and PTO-heavy crew goes to Sunrise. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, and Martin Necas are three notable players making their preseason debuts at Amalie Arena.

Who Is NOT Playing?

• Taking 18 skaters and two goalies to each game, that means only six players currently on Carolina's training camp roster will not dress on Friday. Injuries have removed Andrei Svechnikov (recovering from March's ACL injury) and Vasily Ponomarev (knee) as options. Defensive staples Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce are the healthy four who will have the night off.

The Coaching Staffs

• Rod Brind'Amour and Video Coach Chris Huffine will man the crew going to Sunrise, while Assistant Coaches Jeff Daniels and Tim Gleason, along with Goaltending Coach Paul Schonfelder will be with the team heading to Tampa.

Another Opportunity For Unger Sorum

• The youngest player eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft, second-round selection Felix Unger Sorum has caught the attention of many as the prospect to watch thus far in camp. Through two games the 18-year-old has recorded an assist in both and received his fair share of special teams time. Signed and expected to be playing for Leksands of the Swedish Elite League this season, the buzz behind him certainly warrants watching him while you can with the Canes.

"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.

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. Don Waddell has said that he expects the forward to be ready for October 11's Opening Night.

What Are We Wearing?

• Carolina will be wearing their white uniforms for every preseason game.

What's Next After Tonight?

• The Canes will have a full off day on Saturday before returning to practice on Sunday.

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