With three top forwards sidelined, the Carolina Hurricanes are reaching deeper into the pipeline for help as they head out on their annual State Fair road trip.
The team recalled forwards Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum from Chicago, and both are expected to get into action during a five-game swing that runs from Friday through Oct. 24.
The trip includes four games in Canada and one in St. Louis.
Carolina enters that stretch at 6-1-1 and riding a six-game winning streak, good enough to sit on top of the Metro Division even while the lineup has been thinned out by injuries.
“Both of those guys I thought played great in the preseason,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said Friday morning. “We just didn’t have spots available.
Now we got injuries. I’m sure they’ll see some action here.”
The biggest new concern is Taylor Hall, who exited Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and is now in a “week-to-week situation,” Brind’Amour said. The Hurricanes are already without captain Jordan Staal, who is expected to miss a month or two with a calf injury and has been placed on injured reserve.
Seth Jarvis, meanwhile, remains on the trip after offseason shoulder surgery and could play, though Brind’Amour said he has not been cleared yet. Jarvis has already moved out of the no-contact jersey at practice.
For Nadeau and Unger Sorum, the call-up comes after strong showings in camp and another chance to prove they can stick around when opportunity opens up. Nadeau, 20, appeared in 12 games for Carolina last season and scored three goals after being taken No. 30 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Unger Sorum, 21, made his NHL debut in April and was selected No. 63 overall in 2023.
“Not trying to think, just play,” Nadeau said. “That's usually when you're at your best. Just go out there, have fun, usually the success will come.”
Brind’Amour said both prospects also could see time on the power play, a reflection of how much they stood out in preseason play.
“What was not to like really?” Brind’Amour said.
“They were impactful players in every game that they played. They had a hand in what went on in those games.
That’s what you ask those guys to do - and they did it.”
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Hurricanes Suddenly Have A Forward Problem At The Worst Time
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BrindAmour said Taylor Hall is dealing with an upper-body injury, while Seth Jarvis, who has been working back from offseason shoulder surgery, is nearing a return. Jarvis is expected to travel with the team on the upcoming road trip, and his presence alone gives the Hurricanes a possible lift as they head into a five-game swing and try to keep the momentum rolling. [Read more 🡒]