Multiple Hurricanes Expected To Be Out For Extended Time

The Carolina Hurricanes are tied atop the Eastern Conference and second in the league in points through their first seven games with a record of 6-1-0. Without Pyotr Kochetkov, Jaccob Slavin, and Shayne Gostisbehere already, nothing seems to be slowing them down, except that injuries may catch up to them.

Rod Brind'Amour spoke post-game after the Hurricanes' latest win and said that he expects both William Carrier and Eric Robinson to be out for an extended period of time. As for K'Andre Miller, there is nothing definitive yet, but "that could be a while" as well.

The bottom-6 forwards, Carrier and Robinson, have already made an impact in the Hurricanes' lineup. Carrier started the season with one goal and three points from the third line and Robinson has three goals and four points. These two have logged the least amount of time on ice per game through the first seven games of the season on Carolina though, so it is a bit easier to fill the roles. But the Hurricanes can't be expecting the same level of production from whoever enters the lineup.

Drawing into the lineup will definitely be Mark Jankowski, who has played two games so far this season. He is already on the roster and was a good depth piece for the Hurricanes last season. Carolina will have to call someone up from the AHL. This could be someone with a little bit of experience or a younger player who has started well. If only one player gets called up, they will be injected right into the lineup, so there's less of a worry about bringing up a prospect and sitting him in the press box.

Options could include Ryan Suzuki, Bradley Nadeau, Felix Under Sorum, or Justin Robidas. On defense, the Hurricanes have already made the move to bring up and play Charles-Alexis Legault, who has gotten into two games, and Joel Nystrom, who has played one.

The Hurricanes have a deep team and system, but there are a lot of players going down and the bigger guns that remain have to carry a big weight for the time being.