Dalpe's goal: start to finish with Canes

The Canes are beginning a new season and Zac Dalpe is in the Canes' lineup, but that's nothing new.

Dalpe was in the Canes' opening-day lineup last year. He played in the two wins over the Minnesota Wild in the 2010 NHL Premiere in Helsinki, Finland, and earned his first NHL point — an assist on an Anton Babchuk goal -- in the opener.

But today's game has a different feel to it. This opener is at home, at the RBC Center. Dalpe's situation seems different and his position with the big club seemingly more secure.

"I'm not taking anything for granted," the forward said. "I want to be here all 82 (games). I guess the season is 190 days, so I've got a 190 days of work ahead of me."

Dalpe played in seven games early last season before being reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) at the end of October. Recalled two months later, he scored his first NHL goal -- a game-winner -- against New Jersey on New Year's Day. That was a good way to start 2011, but he would spend much of the season in Charlotte.

Now, it's a new season. Dalpe. 21, has had a strong training camp and is one of three rookies, along with defensemen Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy, on the roster.

"I'm excited and eager to get started," Dalpe said.

At one point in camp, Dalpe was on Eric Staal's line. That was living large. But Canes coach Paul Maurice has done some extensive line juggling. On Thursday, Dalpe was on Tim Brent's line opposite Anthony Stewart.

"We've got a little speed and I think Timmy Brent's a little underrated when it comes to the skill side of the game," Dalpe said. "Obviously with a big guy like Stewart you can get him to the front of the net.

"We might be in that fourth-line spot but I don't look at us as a fourth line. I think we're pretty good. We'll see what we can make of it."