The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled forwards Ethan Smith and Martin Necas from the Chicago Wolves, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. This move comes as the Hurricanes prepare for a busy stretch of games in the coming weeks, including a five-game road trip.
The Hurricanes have been hit by a string of injuries lately, particularly in the forward group. Jordan Staal, Jesper Fast, and Ondrej Kase have all missed time with various ailments. The recall of Smith and Necas will provide the Hurricanes with some much-needed depth and versatility.
Smith, 24, has been a productive scorer in the AHL, recording 25 points in 27 games this season. He can play both center and wing, giving the Hurricanes some flexibility in their lineup.
Necas, 22, is a highly skilled centerman who has shown flashes of brilliance at the NHL level. He has 10 points in 18 games with the Hurricanes this season and will be looking to make a bigger impact in his second NHL campaign.
The recall of Smith and Necas is also a testament to the strength of the Hurricanes’ AHL pipeline. The Wolves are one of the most successful teams in the AHL and have been a breeding ground for future NHL players.
In addition to Smith and Necas, the Hurricanes have also recalled several other players from the Wolves this season, including Seth Jarvis, Jack Drury, and Pyotr Kochetkov. This shows that the Hurricanes have a deep pool of talent to draw from, which will serve them well in the long run.
The recall of Smith and Necas is likely to have a positive impact on the Hurricanes. They will provide the team with some much-needed depth and scoring punch. They could also help the Hurricanes improve their power play, which has struggled at times this season.
However, it is important to note that Smith and Necas are still young players with limited NHL experience. They will need to adjust to the faster pace and physicality of the NHL game. It may take them some time to find their footing, but they have the potential to be valuable contributors to the Hurricanes.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ recall of Ethan Smith and Martin Necas from the Chicago Wolves is a move that makes sense on several levels. It provides the team with some much-needed depth and versatility, while also showcasing the strength of the Hurricanes’ AHL pipeline.
It remains to be seen how Smith and Necas will perform at the NHL level, but they have the potential to be valuable contributors to the Hurricanes. They will be looking to make the most of their opportunity and help the Hurricanes make a deep playoff run.