Exciting Surprise for The NHL

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Right now the Canes have only 11 forwards and 5 defensemen signed to 1-way deals for the 2015-16.  (It is actually 9 forwards, but I am assuming Rask and Lindholm will spend all of 2015-16 at the NHL level.)  Even if the Hurricanes add a veteran or 2 before the season starts, there should still be an opening or 2 for young players. In addition, it is not as if all of these open slots are bottom of the roster/depth openings. The possibility exists for relatively inexperienced players to rise up and seize key roles by playing well in training camp.

There should be true tryouts open to everyone in training camp, but 4 players jump out to me for building the 2015-16 lineup.

1) Ryan Murphy. In terms of attention and excitement, Murphy is being quickly surpassed by high-end draft picks with elite potential in Haydn Fleury and Noah Hanifin. A couple other defenseman drafted more recently are also progressing nicely toward getting an NHL shot. But of this bunch, Ryan is the only player with NHL experience, and only Trevor Carrick even has AHL experience past a couple games. Ryan Murphy, on the other hand, has two full seasons of mixed NHL and AHL experience and multiple rotations of giving it a go in the NHL, learning a bit and then spending time in the AHL hopefully working on things identified in his most recent NHL stint.