Carolina Hurricanes Face Early Forwards Injury Crisis, Depth Called Upon Again

The injury bug strikes the Carolina Hurricanes for a second consecutive season, this time targeting their forward ranks. In the 2025-26 campaign, most of the team’s defensive corps was sidelined through the opening months, forcing the club to rely on its depth with ninth- and tenth-line defensemen like Mike Reilly and Joel Nystrom. Now in 2026-27, the circumstances have shifted, with key forwards grappling with injuries that have reshaped the lineup’s foundation.

Injury Impact on Forward Depth

Following Jordan Staal’s diagnosis of a partially torn calf, which will sideline him for months, Mark Jankowski was initially slated to assume the third-line center role. However, Jankowski’s own absence, prompting his return to Raleigh for evaluation, compounded the shortage. The situation worsened when Taylor Hall was placed on injured reserve on October 19, though his timeline remains unchanged. This leaves the Hurricanes scrambling to fill gaps in their penalty kill and overall forward depth.

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour acknowledged the challenges post-loss, emphasizing the need for adaptability: “We’ve got guys playing out of position and have lost three or four penalty killers. This is the ‘no one feels sorry for you’ league. We’ve got to just regroup.”

With Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sörum already promoted from the Chicago Wolves following Staal and Hall’s injuries, the Hurricanes will likely call up additional talent. Jankowski’s return to Raleigh signals another recall, as the active forward roster now includes only Sebastian Aho, Logan Stankoven, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi among regulars.

Potential candidates for the recall include Skyler Brind’Amour and Justin Robidas, both seasoned players with prior experience in Carolina. Brind’Amour, despite limited NHL production (one goal in 31 games), has showcased offensive prowess with the Chicago Wolves, netting 16 goals across two seasons. Robidas, meanwhile, offers consistent scoring, tallying 20 or 23 goals in each of the last two AHL campaigns. While neither is a long-term solution, their two-way capabilities could stabilize the lineup temporarily.

The Hurricanes’s depth will once again be tested as they navigate injuries across both lines and positions. While last season’s defensive crisis was mitigated by internal reinforcements, this season’s forward injuries compound a challenging start. With a crucial road trip approaching, including a Tuesday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, questions linger over potential call-ups and whether stars like Seth Jarvis will return to action during the stretch.

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