VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to have a bit of a different look to their lineup on Tuesday when they take on the Vancouver Canucks.<\/p>\n
Up front, a few different wingers are likely to find themselves with new centers, as Nikolaj Ehlers, Bradly Nadeau,\u00a0and Eric Robinson had all been moved to different lines at morning skate.\u00a0Jordan\u00a0Martinook is expected to remain in the middle as the team tries to band-aid its way through the injuries of Mark Jankowski\u00a0and Jordan Staal.<\/p>\n
On the blue line, Juuso V\u00e4lim\u00e4ki\u00a0appears in line to make his team debut and play his first NHL game in 632 days. Working next to\u00a0Shayne Gostisbehere\u00a0this morning, the 28-year-old Finn was acquired from Utah earlier in 2026 and played a key role in the Chicago Wolves’ run to the Calder Cup Finals last season.<\/p>\n
“We’ve liked his game. That’s why he’s here,” Rod Brind’Amour reasoned when he spoke to the media after the skate. “It’s tough to be on the shelf for a long time and then get put into a game, especially against a really fast team like this, but you know we’re going to need him at some point.”<\/p>\n
Behind the cast of skaters, Pyotr Kochetkov will try to keep his perfect start to the season going. He has won all five of his starts and allowed two goals or fewer in each.<\/p>\n