The Canes on Friday made a few final roster moves, recalling forward Jeremy Welsh from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and assigning defenseman Ryan Murphy to his junior team, the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).
Forward Tim Wallace, placed on waivers Thursday by the Canes, cleared waivers Friday and was reassigned to the Checkers.
Canes coach Kirk Muller said some decisions had been made for the season opener Saturday against the Florida Panthers, but that he might wait until after the morning skate Saturday to make some others.
Muller has seven defensemen on the roster and likely will dress six. He also has five forwards to pick from to make up the fourth line -- Pat Dwyer, Tim Brent, Drayson Bowman, Kevin Westgarth and Welsh.
"I'm excited. It was a good week and the guys were into it," Muller said of training camp. "Conditioning wise, they pushed themselves. Focus wise, the details, taking in a lot of information in the week, they were good. They really seem to be bonding well."
Muller will stick with a top line of Zach Boychuk, Eric Staal and Alex Semin. Zac Dalpe will open at right wing on Jordan Staal's line with Jeff Skinner, and the third line will have Jiri Tlusty, Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose.
"I just feel like they bring young energy," Muller said of Boychuk and Dalpe, who have played well for the Checkers this season. "The fact they've played half a season has to be a bonus. ... I think it's a good time and they deserve to get that shot."
The defensive pairings Friday remained the same: Tim Gleason-Joe Corvo, Joni Pitkanen-Justin Faulk, Bobby Sanguinetti-Jay Harrison. Jamie McBain was working with Murphy.
On sending Murphy back to junior for the second straight season, Muller said: "Unfortunately for him this year, with no practices and not a lot of time to work with him, it's a tough year timing (wise) for him. Right now we feel confident in our top seven. We didn't want to carry eight and have him not play for right now."
Cam Ward will start in goal in the opener. With a veteran goalie, Dan Ellis, who has played games in Charlotte and performed well, Muller could quickly turn to the backup early in the season if Ward has a slow start."
The Canes players dressed quickly after practice today at PNC Arena, as if eager to get on the plane and get going.
"It's go time -- finally," Brent said. "It's been a long time since we've played a game, for the guys who didn't play overseas or anywhere."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at