Hanifin has been averaging just 0:51 PP TOI through the first 14 games of his NHL career, but with Murphy out indefinitely, Hanifin will start to eat up some of the 2:28 PP TOI that Murphy was seeing. Hanifin has just two assists in 14 games, but more power-play time should jump-start his production.
Hanifin was a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Detroit, but he will be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Islanders. He is expected to replace Michal Jordan. Hanifin has two assists, 10 shots and a minus-3 rating in eight games with the Hurricanes.
Hanifin has recorded two assists, 10 shots on goal and a minus-3 rating in eight games to begin his NHL career. Hanifin will get the night off, but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday in New York.
Hanifin was the fifth overall pick in this summer’s draft and had an impressive enough training camp to make the Hurricanes opening night roster. Carolina could elect to give him an extended nine game look to start the season, before making the decision to burn the first year of his entry level deal.
