Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has given a massive vote of confidence to the team's cast of prospects by leaving at least one NHL forward spot open entering training camp.
Instead of drawing from a still-substantial pool of free agent wingers, it appears likely that the 'Canes will enter September with only nine forwards on one-way contracts and two more, Elias Lindholm and Victor Rask, on two-way deals but virtually guaranteed of NHL jobs.
It's difficult nevertheless to identify the top contenders to earn the final open spot (and/or knock a current forward out of another spot).