NHL roster rules allow teams to carry extra skaters after the trade deadline and throughout the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes now have the option to draw from the Charlotte Checkers to boost their roster for the playoff run.
The 23-man active roster is still in effect, but players can easily be moved on and off the active roster without being subject to waivers, which would allow head coach Rod Brind’Amour to make adjustments as injuries and circumstances dictate.Extra bodies would provide more depth in practice, ostensibly lightening the workload on the veterans.
For most of the stretch run, the Hurricanes carried one extra skater.