Storylines Heading Into Canes Training Camp

RALEIGH, N.C. - With the Prospect Showcase wrapping up, the Carolina Hurricanes are set to begin their title defense with the onset of their training camp on Thursday.

Expected to be split into their usual "C1" and "C2" groups, the condensed exhibition slate — now four games instead of six — coupled with an earlier start date for the 84-game regular season means camp will be more of a sprint than in years past.

The team will have just three practice days before diving into preseason play in Sunrise against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. With that game serving as the launching point, they'll play their entire slate of tune-ups in just one week.

For comparison's sake, last year, the group had five practice days before participating in their six-game preseason slate over the next 13 days.

With a shortened runway leading up to September 29's regular-season opener, here's what we'll be keeping an eye on as the Canes take the ice at the newly renamed Lane Arena.

Who Takes Seth Jarvis' Spot?

Carolina's lovable star and leading goal-scorer from last season (32) is on the shelf for at least another month due to offseason shoulder surgery. The door is open for someone to make a massive impression.

Whether the role comes alongside Sebastian Aho, as we have seen Jarvis at times in the past, or Conn Smythe Trophy-winner Jordan Staal, with whom Jarvis lined up in the team's final game of its Stanley Cup victory, it's a huge opportunity.

Among the early candidates, Bradly Nadeau is a name to watch.

To learn more about other possibilities, click here.

What Happens On The Blue Line?

Let's address the elephant in the room: As of the time of publication, 24-year-old Alexander Nikishin, who played in 81 of the team's 82 regular-season games last year, remains an unrestricted free agent.

Will he get a contract? Will he be moved? How long will this saga go on? If he's not here, how do Rod Brind'Amour and Tim Gleason use the pieces they do have?

Last season, the Canes needed the services of Mike Reilly, who started the year as the team's healthy extra on the blue line, for 42 of their 82 regular-season games. Re-signed last week, how does he factor into the equation moving forward?

The team also needed Joel Nystrom for 38 games and Charles Alexis Legault for 12. There were also single-contest appearances from Domenick Fensore and Ronan Seeley.

Nystrom and Legault are once again under contract and, when everyone's healthy, likely to be playing massive roles in Chicago (AHL) until their names are called. Seeley is also back with the organization, but likely behind Nystrom, Legault, and Reilly in this year's pecking order.

Juuso Valimaki is another interesting name. The 27-year-old was acquired from Utah in January and, when available, was a horse for the Wolves en route to their Western Conference Championship. He's already played 271 NHL games over eight seasons, so he's outgrown prospect status and knows what it takes to be at the ready.

In addition to those listed above, he'll be competing with Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who was signed earlier this month. Also 27 and a first-round pick in 2017, Joseph has played in 225 games over six NHL seasons, putting him in a pretty similar position to Valimaki.

Life After Andersen...

For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Canes will start the year without Frederik Andersen in their goaltending mix.

The expectation is that Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov will be the team's tandem this time around, but as the team has learned, they're likely going to need more than just those two.

With Cayden Primeau waiting in the wings, how will Goaltending Coach Paul Schonfelder deploy the first two names mentioned?

For Bussi, can he repeat last year's magic that took him from starting the season on waivers to standing in between the pipes when the final horn of the year sounded? Turning in a remarkable 31-6-2 record in his first go-around in the NHL, it was history after history for the 28-year-old from Long Island.

For Kochetkov, can he stay healthy? Entering a contract year, the 2019 second-round pick was limited to just eight starts last season. Can he get back to the form that had him playing 47 games (2024-25) and re-establish his status as an unquestionable part of the organization's future in net?

If or when needed, can Primeau hang at the NHL level? He has solidified himself as perhaps the best goalie in the AHL at the moment, but is he ready to take the next step?