Last week, the show went over the Top 5 Carolina Hurricanes players heading into the 2025-26 season, as part of the Locked On NHL’s buildup to the Top 100 players. Now, let’s dive into another Top 5 list; this list focuses on the depth players for the Hurricanes entering the upcoming season. On the Wednesday Edition of Locked On Hurricanes, host Zach Martin begins by sharing his thoughts on Taylor Hall and Mark Jankowski as both guys start their first full season with the Hurricanes after being added via trades in 2024-25. What could their first full seasons in Carolina look like? Zach gives reasons why they could be in for a jump this season. Secondly, Zach shares his thoughts on Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal as two of the veteran players who will lead the way once again. While they may not put up the points like Sebastian Aho or Seth Jarvis, the Jordans contribute more off the scoresheet and beyond the ice. What makes them so important to the Hurricanes? Finally, Zach shares why Eric Robinson is in for a huge second season with the Hurricanes, especially after being signed to a four-year extension this past offseason. What makes E-Rob a huge piece to the Hurricanes’ depth in 2025-26? All of that, and more, on the latest episode of Locked On Hurricanes.
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1 Comment
I believe Mark Jankowski will play an important role in the success for the Hurricanes this season, but not in the way that you describe. I firmly believe Jankowski is the healthy extra and the line combinations would go something like this:
Ehlers – Aho – Jarvis (1)
Hall – Stankoven – Svech (2)
Robinson – KK – Blake (3a)
Martinook – Staal – Carrier (3b)
This places Stankoven as the 2nd line center to give him a shot there with two bigger frames on the wing for him and KK playing a more natural 3rd line C role with two highly talented wingers. Jankowski slots in for injury – he can play both C and W. Over the years, we have seen injury creep in – Jankowski will play a factor, but I would be surprised if he usurps any one of these 12 listed in the combinations above. The 50ish% in the faceoff circle (typically against 4th lines) doesn't really give me the warm and fuzzies about him – essentially its a coin flip whether he wins or loses in the circle. I would prefer a) a right shot C and b) someone who can be developed – Stankoven fits that.
I also don't see Hall playing 4th line minutes – he still has a good bit in the tank, is a high IQ player with a good frame and can elevate the offense for whichever middle 6 center we want to partner with him. But he should be slotted firmly in the middle 6.
I know Staal and Martinook on the "3b" line is a little bit out there – but giving both the KK 3a and Staal 3b lines between 12-14 minutes per night based on how they are looking and performing makes a lot of sense and opens up some minutes for the Top 6 a little more.
Eric Robinson – got the extension because of the fit of the system versus the amount of points he had early in the season and he seems to be a natural replacement when Martinook is done (much like KK is the 3rd line C after Staal hangs it up). Eric Robinson has speed, is really good with the forecheck and did a good job setting up his teammates. 32 points is a career high – but only 8 points in the last 32 games of the season (post-Necas trade). I don't think he is going to reach career heights again. I like Robinson and am a huge advocate for re-signing him – but not necessarily for the point production. I like the extension more because of what he can do beyond the stat sheet.
My assumption in this piece is that you were looking at the bottom 8-10 forwards and defensemen of the roster to grab the top five depth players – because if not, leaving Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven, K'Andre Miller, Alexander Nikishin and Jalen Chatfield off this list would be a huge miss.