After a rare three-day breather in the middle of a tightly packed NHL schedule, the Carolina Hurricanes returned to the ice Tuesday with more than just fresh legs-they brought a few intriguing developments with them. With a key matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs looming Thursday night, the Canes used the extra time not just to rest, but to recalibrate. And based on what we saw at practice, there are a couple of storylines worth watching.
Let’s start with the power play.
Jordan Staal on PP1? It’s not just a faceoff trick
When Jordan Staal took reps with the top power play unit during Tuesday’s skate, it turned some heads-and rightfully so. The veteran captain isn’t typically part of the Canes’ top group with the man advantage, but there he was, slotting in alongside Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov, and Shayne Gostisbehere. Staal took the opening faceoff and worked from the net-front, a role that’s usually reserved for more offensively dynamic forwards.
Now, head coach Rod Brind’Amour was quick to clarify: this wasn’t necessarily a permanent change. He explained that the team was working through a specific play that required Staal’s presence on the ice.
Still, when you’ve got a player like Nikolaj Ehlers-who’s tied with Aho for the team lead in power play points-suddenly off the top unit, it raises eyebrows. Especially when Jackson Blake was the one stepping in after the draw.
Whether this is a short-term wrinkle or the beginning of a new look, it's something to keep an eye on.
The second unit also saw a notable shift, with defenseman Alexander Nikishin taking over as the lone blueliner. That’s a departure from the recent pairing of Sean Walker and K’Andre Miller, which hasn’t quite clicked. Fans have been clamoring to see Nikishin get a shot with the man advantage, and Tuesday’s practice might be the first real sign that the coaching staff is ready to give him that opportunity.
So, while it’s too early to call it a full-on power play shakeup, the Hurricanes are clearly experimenting-and perhaps searching for a spark.
Health trending in the right direction
The other major storyline from Tuesday’s practice? The Hurricanes are finally starting to look a little healthier.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who had been skating in a non-contact jersey over the weekend, was back in full participation mode. That’s a strong indicator that he’s nearing a return.
He wasn’t just skating laps-he was involved in drills, taking contact, and moving well. If he continues trending this way, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back in the lineup soon.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, dealing with a reaggravated lower-body issue, was also on the ice. While he’s not fully cleared, his presence is encouraging. Brind’Amour said it’s “kind of up to him and how he feels,” but the fact that he’s skating with the group is a step in the right direction.
And then there’s Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes’ defensive anchor has been out for a while, and Tuesday marked the first time he’s been spotted skating with the team in what feels like ages.
He started in a yellow non-contact jersey and later joined the full group, skating alongside Mike Reilly as an extra pair. Brind’Amour tempered expectations, saying Slavin isn’t close to returning just yet.
But seeing him out there again? That’s the best sign the team has had in weeks.
What it all means moving forward
The Hurricanes haven’t had the cleanest start to the season. The power play has been inconsistent, the blue line has been banged up, and the lineup has seen more shuffling than Brind’Amour would like. But Tuesday’s practice offered a glimpse of what this team might look like at full strength-or at least something closer to it.
If Kotkaniemi can return soon, if Kochetkov gets healthy, and if Slavin continues progressing, Carolina could be poised to hit another gear. And if the power play tweaks pay off? That could be the missing piece the Canes have been searching for.
The Maple Leafs come to town Thursday, and we’ll see just how much of Tuesday’s practice turns into Thursday night reality. But for now, the Hurricanes look like a team getting healthier, experimenting with purpose, and maybe-just maybe-starting to find their stride.