As expected, it looks like Hamilton will make his long-awaited return in Game 1 vs. his former team. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not announce who would come out of the lineup for Hamilton but it's expected to be Haydn Fleury. Hamilton will likely skate with Jaccob Slavin and quarterback the top power-play unit, bumping Sami Vatanen to PP2.
Hamilton was on the ice again for Monday's practice and head coach Rod Brind'Amour said he is "hopeful" that Hamilton will be ready for Game 1 on Tuesday. It would be his first game since January 16th. He had 40 points (14G / 26A) in 47 regular-season games before breaking his leg vs. Columbus.
Hamilton, who missed the Hurricanes' three-game sweep of the Rangers, practiced for the first time since July 22nd. Carolina likely won't play for a week, so Hamilton will have plenty of time to get back up to speed before Round 1. In practice Hamilton skated alongside Jaccob Slavin on the Hurricanes' top defensive pair. He was also the lone defenseman on the team's first power-play unit.
Hamilton was set to return from a broken leg before he suffered a new injury in Training Camp 2.0. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour ruled him out for Game 1 vs. the Rangers on Saturday but said he's getting better and would not rule out a potential return during the five-game series.
Hamilton reportedly suffered a new injury, unrelated to the broken leg which forced him to miss the final two and half months of the regular season. Sara Civ of The Athletic reported that Hamilton's absence is "in the realm of weeks not months." This is untimely news as the Hurricanes enter the hub city bubble and get set to face the Rangers on Saturday. Carolina was 11-7-3 (11th in the NHL) after Hamilton was hurt in mid-January.
Dugan was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and has agreed to turn pro after just two seasons at Providence College. Dugan was a Hobey Baker Finalist in 2020 after leading the nation with 52 points (10G / 42A) in just 34 games. The 22-year-old paced the league in assists, points-per-game (1.53), power-play points (22) and even-strength points (30). He'll likely start the 2021 season in the AHL but the Golden Knights have to be very pleased with Dugan's rapid progression since being drafted three years ago.
Ibragimov was drafted in the sixth-round of the 2019 draft and spent 2020 in Russia's second and third tier. Ibragimov had a lot of success on the "junior" circuit, posting seven points (5G / 2A) in seven games but had just 13 points (5G / 8A) in 35 games after moving up to the VHL (Russia's second division).
MacDermid was set to become an RFA this offseason but signed an extension that takes him through the 2022 season. MacDermid set career-highs in games played (45), goals (3), assists (5) and points (8) in his third season with the Kings.
Beckman was a third-round pick (No.75 overall) in 2019 and led the WHL in goals (48) and points (107) in 63 games this season. It was obviously a fantastic season for the 18-year-old, who looks like he could be a third-round steal for Minnesota.
Allen stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Blues shutout win in Chicago on Sunday. Allen has won three in a row while posting a 1.30 GAA, .949 SV% and one shutout. Allen has gone 8-4-3 with a 2.12 GAA, .930 SV% and two shutouts on the road this year.
Tatar was originally labelled as day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered on March 3rd but announced that he's out indefinitely on Tuesday. The most recent timetable could end Tatar's 2020 season.
Bernier allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Red Wings shootout win over the Lightning on Sunday. Despite Jimmy Howard being in the starter's net this morning, it will be Bernier who starts tonight vs. Carolina. He's won two straight and is 11-10-1 with a 2.79 GAA and .906 SV% on home ice this season. Tonight he takes on a Carolina team that is 4-1-1 while scoring 3.83 goals per game in their last six road games.
