Hurricanes At Predators, Game Preview: Eric Staal Hits Ice For His First Preseason Contest

by Bob Wage on Sep 23, 2010 2:32 PM EDT

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Actress Meaghan Martin John Tavares of the New York Islanders Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes pose for a photo during the cocktail reception hosted by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter at The Monkey Bar on September 14 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images for the NHL)

Captain Eric Staal is not only the face of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise, he's considered to be one of the headline stars of the NHL. The week before training camp started, the All Star center had to go to New York City to participate in a League media blitz.

But once he returned to Raleigh, it was all business for the team leader. Like the rest of the club, Staal has been working very hard in training camp. The high scoring center will take the ice tonight in Nashville for the first time this preseason, with much anticipation. Staal will be looking to regain his point-per-game, (or higher), scoring pace from portions of previous seasons, as well as trying to maintain that consistent pace throughout the entire year.

Several other "veterans" will be joining him tonight. Paul Branecky from CH.com published the expected forward lines:

Staal-Ruutu-Samsonov
Sutter-Jokinen-Cole
Dalpe-Bowman-Kostopoulos
Nash-O'Sullivan-Dwyer

Justin Pogge and Justin Peters will ~~split time in net~~. Looks like Peters will get this entire game while Pogge takes tomorrow night's game at the RBC.

Justin Peters

#60 / Goalie / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Born: Aug 30, 1986

Justin Pogge

#31 / Goalie / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 6-3

Weight: 204

Born: Apr 22, 1986

Brett Carson, Joe Corvo, Jamie McBain, Jay Harrison, Joni Pitkanen, and Bryan Rodney are the listed defensemen for the game.

Those top two lines could very well be the actual lines for the season opening contest in Helsinki, so the coaching staff will be hoping for some instant chemistry from those combinations.

This will be the opening preseason game for the Predators. It appears their lineup will consist of several prospects, but Pekka Rinne will be in net, for at least a portion of the game. For more Preds information, check out "On The Forecheck", the fine SBN Nashville blog.

Opening faceoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern and at this time, there is no online streaming available. You can listen to Chuck on 99.9 The Fan and starting at 7, we will have an open game thread up and running here for plenty of commentary.

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Thanks Bob

I posted this earlier but on www.channelsurfing.net there are 2 NHL games on tv..NJ & NY @7:00pm…and TB @ Edm. at 9:00 pm est….yes it’s really here…now if we can just get the freaking heat to go away…

And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!

by CaniacSteve on Sep 23, 2010 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Great find, T Halls debut will be pretty awesome.

by Go_Shelf on Sep 23, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t see putting Sammy on the first or second line. I’ve always liked him but Sammy is third line at best. I just don’t know what the Canes can do with him………………

Carolina Hurricanes! Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champions!

by canescup on Sep 23, 2010 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

I agree that I don’t think he’s a first liner and perhaps a second liner – he may be about the best playmaker we have on the team now that Whitney has left. I doubt he stays on those lines though.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

by anonymousJ on Sep 23, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

As a short-term strategy, once Jokinen is tapped for his two-way game for the defensively responsible two-way role that is Sutter’s line, Samsonov does become the “best player available” for the first line LW slot, IF we’re getting serious about trying to maybe win one by fielding a legit top-6.

Wouldn’t hurt showcasing him there to build trade value either, as a more long-term strategy.

Staal’s a black hole with the puck and needs to be fed by a playmaking winger. Samsonov can fulfill that function for the missing Whitney slot, if nothing else. He’s pretty good at potting garbage goals off rebounds, too, which are prevalent from Staal’s shoot-first tendencies.

But, yes, long term? I’m not sure that we have Staal’s left wing anywhere in the system at the moment.

Maybe Dalpe, if the stars align in the heavens.

But that might be a piece we have to trade for at the deadline when the Cup year rolls around.

Here we are now...entertain us.

by Elsker on Sep 23, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that Sully should get that chance on the first line. I am interested to see what he could do on Staal’s wing. Perhaps he could be that replacement for Whitney, at least until Boychuk becomes more acclimated to the big times…

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Sep 23, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Wheres Osala?

by TylerA7707 on Sep 23, 2010 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

He’s among those who haven’t played in the first 2 games. I would guess he’ll be in for the game Friday back here.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 23, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

guess those guys are the looong shot? McKenzie, Terry, Dodge….

by TylerA7707 on Sep 23, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlotte

by Gillimus on Sep 23, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Osala, Terry, Dodge, McKenzie, Samson, Borer, J. Staal looking a lot like Charlotte to start the season

Osala, Terry, Dodge, McKenzie, Samson, Borer, J. Staal looking a lot like Charlotte to start the season. It would take an outstanding showing by Samson, Osala, or J. Staal to grab one of the precious roster spots for the start of the season. It’s really intense competition. Osala and J. Staal offer the potential of the Canes having a wide-bodied, net crashing forward to the mix; so it will be interesting to see how they do in game conditions.

by abramsdoug on Sep 23, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Hot

Ya got that right way tooo hot for this time of year pushing 95 down this way today..Good to hear from ya hadn’t been around in a while…take care

Peace

by littlepig on Sep 23, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

This game tonight for the offense should be a much better barometer as to where this team might be at. With more vets out there like Staal, Jussi, etc., hopefully we will see a better game on the ice tonight.

GO CANES!!

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Sep 23, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

This just in: Pits out. Sanguinetti in.

"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."

by caniacgirl on Sep 23, 2010 6:15 PM EDT reply actions