Carolina Hurricanes roster player-by-player
Tentative Carolina Hurricanes roster for opening night
FORWARDS
No. 11, Jordan Staal (27 years old): 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Broken leg sidelined him 35 games last season. Needs more offensive production.
No. 12, Eric Staal (30): 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
Team captain, in final year of contract, determined to take Canes to playoffs.
No. 14, Nathan Gerbe (28): 5-foot-5, 178 pounds
Short but a sandpaper-type player who can harass goalies and kill penalties.
No. 15, Andrej Nestrasil (24): 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Claimed off waivers from Detroit, had 18 of 20 points with Canes last season.
No. 16, Elias Lindholm (20): 6-foot-1, 192 pounds
Former first-round pick scored 17 goals in second NHL season. Canes need more.
No. 18, Jay McClement (32): 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
Helped Canes finish fourth in NHL penalty killing. Excellent on defensive draws.
No. 20, Riley Nash (26): 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Had career-best 25 points in 68 games last season. Needs more consistency.
No. 24, Brad Malone (26): 6-foot-2, 207 pounds
A fourth-line banger who kills penalties, gives Canes some needed physicality.
No. 25, Chris Terry (26): 5-foot-10, 195 pounds
His big one-timer on power play and shootout success adds to his value.
No. 32, Kris Versteeg (29): 5-foot-11, 176 pounds
Experienced, versatile winger won Stanley Cup with Chicago last season.
No. 42, Joakim Nordstrom (23): 6-foot-1, 189 pounds
Acquired with Versteeg in trade with Chicago, could help on special teams.
No. 49, Victor Rask (22): 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Dependable center played 80 games last season, had 11 goals, 33 points.
No. 53, Jeff Skinner (23): 5-foot-11, 200 pounds
Coming off disappointing 18-goal season, he’s looking for bounceback season.
DEFENSEMEN
No. 5, Noah Hanifin (18): 6-foot-3, 206 pounds
Fifth overall pick of 2015 NHL draft could make leap to NHL at 18.
No. 27, Justin Faulk (23): 6-foot-0, 215 pounds
NHL All-Star last season had 49 points, could reach 60-point plateau.
No. 65, Ron Hainsey (34): 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
Likely will join Faulk as Canes’ top defensive pair in 13th NHL season.
No. 47, Michal Jordan (25): 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Earned first one-way contract after playing 38 games for Canes last season.
No. 26, John-Michael Liles (34): 5-foot-10, 185 pounds
Being counted on to help with power play, serve as mentor to young D-men.
No. 31, James Wisniewski (31): 5-foot-11, 203 pounds
The “Wiz” brings experience, big shot on power play to Canes lineup.
No. 7, Ryan Murphy (22): 5-foot-11, 185 pounds
Former first-round pick can help offense, needs to be stronger in D-zone.
GOALTENDERS
No. 30, Cam Ward (31): 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Rebounded last season to have career-best 2.40 goals-against average.
No. 31, Eddie Lack (27): 6-foot-4, 187 pounds
Helped Vancouver reach playoffs last season and will push Ward in net.
This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Carolina Hurricanes roster player-by-player."