2 Hurricanes’ Forward Storylines to Follow at Training Camp

We’re now two weeks from opening night for the Carolina Hurricanes, with training camp just days away. For the defending Stanley Cup champions, what are the expectations or the main storylines for the forwards heading into camp before the start of the 2026-27 season?

1. Bradly Nadeau Seeking to Make Opening Night Roster

Probably the biggest storyline for the Hurricanes, not just for the forwards but the team as a whole, is Bradly Nadeau. With Seth Jarvis out for four to six months after shoulder surgery, it’s been a foregone conclusion that all eyes will be on the number one prospect in the Hurricanes’ system. He is one of the top prospects to watch overall, especially after having three goals in 12 games last season.

After another strong season with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he tallied 27 goals and 56 points in 52 games, he has all eyes on him heading into training camp and the preseason. The Hurricanes are heading into their last game of the 2026 Prospect Showcase, and then it’s right into training camp. Furthermore, their four preseason games start on Sept. 20; it’s one thing right after another.

The next couple of weeks could be a pivotal build-up to the 2026-27 season. Depending on how training camp and the four preseason games go, Nadeau could have a couple of months in Carolina to showcase that he is ready to be a full-time NHLer. That said, it’s about stacking days and taking it one day at a time.

He will have Felix Unger Sorum and Justin Robidas in the mix as well to break onto the opening night roster. It’ll be a fun battle to watch over the next couple of weeks. A few of the Hurricanes’ top prospects are looking to make their mark and get a chance to showcase their skills in the NHL this season.

2. Possible Early Standouts

While eyes will be on the battle to fill Jarvis’ spot in the interim, which forwards will stand out early in training camp? One player to watch is Jackson Blake, who had a breakout sophomore season with 22 goals and 53 points in 81 games. He tallied 34 points the season before and went on a tear, taking his game to another level. He also led the Hurricanes in assists (13) and points (20) in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s clear that if he keeps this upward trajectory going, who says he cannot have a 70-point-or-more season?

Blake will be entering the first season of his eight-year, $40.94 million deal, which he signed last summer. He is a star in the making in the NHL, and now that he is an established Stanley Cup winner and playoff performer, is there another level to Blake’s game that fans and staff will see in 2026-27?

Another possible early standout could be Nikolaj Ehlers, especially after learning the Hurricanes’ system last season and having a career year. The main question for Ehlers heading into last season was staying healthy. It turned out he stayed healthy, playing all 82 games and finishing with 26 goals, 45 assists, and 71 points. He had his first-ever 45-assist and 70-or-more-point season. He even had eight goals and 18 points in 18 playoff games.

As Ehlers heads into his second season in Raleigh and is more familiar with the system, who says he cannot have another career year? If he starts tallying points right away, he could have his first-ever 30-goal season and maybe even push for 50 assists as well. He will be one to watch, as his confidence and familiarity will help him “Fly” around the ice at the start of camp.

While there could be more storylines heading into camp, eyes will be on certain players as they look to take their game to another level. Could Nadeau break onto the Hurricanes’ opening-night roster? Could Blake and Ehlers continue where they left off last season? Once training camp begins, there will be no shortage of storylines and players to watch.