Hurricanes’ Blue Line Battle-Tested Early in the Season - and Holding Their Own
RALEIGH, N.C. - Thanksgiving might be an unofficial checkpoint on the NHL calendar, but for the Carolina Hurricanes, it's already felt like they've played a full season’s worth of lineup roulette on the back end.
No team in the league has been forced to shuffle more bodies on defense than Carolina - they’ve used 10 different blueliners already, tied with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh for the most in the NHL. That’s not exactly how you draw it up in training camp.
But through the chaos, there’s been resilience. Assistant coach Tim Gleason, who oversees the defense, has had his hands full - and somehow, the group is still standing.
Let’s break it down.
A Rotation Fueled by Injuries and Opportunity
Of the 10 defensemen who’ve suited up for Carolina this season, four are NHL rookies. Two others are in their first year with the Hurricanes. And aside from the opening two games of the year, they’ve been without their defensive cornerstone, Jaccob Slavin.
That’s a lot of change for any team - especially one with playoff expectations.
Yet, Gleason isn’t throwing out excuses. “We take it game by game,” he said.
“We’ve done pretty well with guys filling spots - guys who haven’t been here before. It’s given others a chance to make a name for themselves.”
That’s the silver lining: opportunity. Players who might not have cracked the roster under normal circumstances are now logging meaningful NHL minutes. And while that’s come with some expected growing pains, it’s also been a proving ground.
The Penalty Kill: A Work in Progress
One area that’s clearly still under construction? The penalty kill.
Gleason didn’t sugarcoat it. “I’m not too happy with it, to be honest,” he said. “In the last 10 or so games, we’ve given up a goal almost every game.”
It’s not a structural breakdown - it’s the little things. One missed read here, one miscommunication there, and the puck’s in the back of the net. That’s the margin in today’s NHL.
Part of the issue is personnel. Several players on the PK unit - including newcomers like Brendan Miller, Alexander Nikishin, and Joel Nystrom - are still learning the system and the reads. That’s not a knock on their effort; it just takes time to adjust to the speed and structure of NHL special teams.
Still, there are signs of progress. “(Wednesday, Nov. 26) was a great game for us,” Gleason said. “Now we have to build on that.”
Nikishin Showing Promise - and Room to Grow
Alexander Nikishin is one of the more intriguing names on the blue line. At 24, he’s not your typical rookie, but he’s still adjusting to the NHL game. That learning curve - especially on the defensive side - is real.
“He’s going to have some growing pains,” Gleason said. “Defensively, through the neutral zone, his gaps - we’re always working on that with him.”
But Nikishin’s got tools. He’s got a cannon from the point and poise with the puck. The challenge now is rounding out the other side of his game - the reads, the positioning, the defensive details that separate solid from special.
“We know there’s something there,” Gleason said. “We just want to make sure those details are shored up.
If we can’t do those things, where are we? That’s what we’re trying to do with him.”
Nystrom: Quietly Reliable
Joel Nystrom might not have been on anyone’s radar at the start of the season, but he’s making a strong case to stick.
“He’s one of those guys you’d have a hard time taking out right now,” Gleason said.
The 23-year-old Swede isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. He plays with tight gaps, makes smart reads, and works well with his partner through the neutral zone. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but his positioning and hockey IQ help him punch above his weight.
“He’s not someone who stands out to you,” Gleason said, “but if you look over his details, they’re very strong.”
There’s still room for growth - adding strength and a quicker first step will help - but Nystrom’s early returns have been impressive.
Legault’s Short Stint, Solid Impression
Charles Alexis Legault didn’t get a long run before exiting the lineup, but he left a positive impression.
“He did what he does well,” Gleason said. “He’s big, he’s long, he’s gapped up. That’s his game.”
Legault isn’t going to wow you with highlight-reel plays, and that’s perfectly fine. He’s the kind of defenseman who plays a clean, structured game - gets pucks out, closes gaps, and supports his partner. He even chipped in on the penalty kill thanks to his reach and length.
“He was one of those guys you didn’t really think would be around,” Gleason said, “but injuries happen. And a couple of guys have surprised us in that regard.”
The Road Ahead
The Hurricanes aren’t at full strength - not even close - but they’ve managed to stay afloat thanks to a rotating cast of defensemen stepping up when called upon.
Gleason and the coaching staff are keeping things simple: take it day by day, game by game. With Slavin still out and the lineup in flux, that mindset is essential.
There’s still plenty of work to do - especially on the penalty kill - but the foundation is there. Young players are gaining valuable experience.
Veterans are holding the line. And when reinforcements arrive, Carolina could find itself with a deeper, more battle-tested blue line than anyone expected back in September.
For now, the Hurricanes are surviving - and maybe even starting to thrive - through adversity.