RALEIGH, N.C. -- A young group of quickly maturing defensemen nearly pushed the Carolina Hurricanes into the playoffs last season. Now theyre hoping for a similar boost at the other end of the rink.The Hurricanes rebuilding project could take another step forward -- perhaps even back to the postseason for the first time since 2009 -- if their inexperienced forwards can play older than their ages. Among the young new faces who could play key roles on offense are 19-year-old Sebastian Aho and 22-year-old Teuvo Teravainen.If they can kind of jump in like those young (defensemen) jumped in, veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey said, the skys the limit.The storyline of last season was how that group of fresh-faced defensemen -- led by Brett Pesce, Jaccob Slavin and Noah Hanifin -- stepped up while the team continued its patient rebuild and dealt face-of-the-franchise Eric Staal at the trade deadline.The Hurricanes earned points in 12 of the first 14 games after the deadline to make a push to end the Eastern Conferences longest active postseason drought, but ultimately finished 10 points behind eighth-seeded Philadelphia.Carolina hopes all those young legs translate into playing at a faster pace.Thats the idea -- not only (skating speed) but puck speed, veteran forward Jordan Staal said. Just moving the puck, finding the right guy, working as a unit on the ice, and doing those things makes the game that much faster.Some things to know about the 2016-17 Carolina Hurricanes:WELCOME BACKThe Hurricanes will have a familiar look in goal: Cam Ward is staying with the team he led to the Stanley Cup in 2006 after signing a two-year deal worth a total of $6.6 million, $200,000 less than he made in 2015-16. Carolina also brought back 35-year-old Michael Leighton, who played with the Hurricanes from 2007-10, to join Eddie Lack in whats suddenly a crowded goalies crease.OVERTIME WOESCarolina led the league with 16 losses in either overtime or the shootout last season, and their 2-5 record in shootouts was one of the worst in the league. That only underscores the thin line between making and missing the postseason, Hainsey said, because if seven of those (OT losses) go your way, youre a playoff team.START FASTERA big reason for the Hurricanes playoff drought has been their slow starts. Carolina won just eight of its first 25 games in 2015-16, and the year before was just 10-23-4 in the first three months. The Hurricanes open the season with six straight road games before the home opener Oct. 28 against the New York Rangers, and cant afford to stumble.NO CAPTAINThe Hurricanes did not select a captain to replace Eric Staal after his trade to the Rangers, and the message has been clear: You dont need to wear a letter to be a leader. Defenseman Justin Faulk and Jordan Staal continued to wear the A as alternate captains in Erics absence, and the team is counting on those two, plus Hainsey, former rookie of the year Jeff Skinner and new addition Lee Stempniak to lead either vocally or by example. San Francisco 49ers Mike McGlinchey Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Cheap 49ers Jerseys Free Shipping . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. http://www.cheap49ersjerseys.us/san-francisco-49ers-kentavius-street-jersey/ . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. San Francisco 49ers D. J. Reed Jersey . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. Wholesale San Francisco 49ers Jerseys 2019 ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. At this point in the season, your bench should be put together differently. The circumstances of the fantasy playoffs demand that.Drop all your upside players and anyone youre not using in your lineup. Add handcuffs to your running back, backups to key starters, a spare quarterback and one extra tight end. Dont get caught in a situation in which youre left looking toward the waiver wire for a player to start for you. However, if you do find yourself in need of a substitute player, there are some decent alternatives.Lets look at who might be available to you for Week 15.TYROD TAYLOR (QB, Bills)Bills coach Rex Ryan said Monday that Taylor gives the Bills the best chance to win, amid rumors that the team might consider starting Cardale Jones instead. The Bills face the NFL doormat Cleveland Browns in Week 15, and between Taylors running ability and the Browns inept defense, he could put up QB1 numbers if youre desperate at quarterback.JUSTIN FORSETT (RB, Broncos)Devontae Booker has played himself right out of the starting job mainly because he cant protect the quarterback. Forsett knows coach Kubiaks system and should be able to step in and perform well right away.KENNETH FARROW (RB, Chargers)Melvin Gordon is day-to-day with a hip injury. Farrow managed 55 yards on 16 carries, and he caught six passes for 23 yards. The Chargers also have Ronnie Hillman on the bench but Farrow is clearly the next man up. If youre depending on Gordon, Farrow is a must-own handcuff.BILAL POWELL (RB, Jets)Matt Forte is nursing injured knees and Powell put up 179 yards from scrimmage along with a pair of touchdowns against the 49ers in Week 14. The Dolphins allow 4.8 yards per carry to running backs as the 31st ranked run defense in the NFL. Powell should be in for another big game if Forte is out.CHARLES SIMS (RB, Buccaneers)Sims played 15 snaps with seven touches for 50 yards in his first game back from injury. The Bucs will almost certainly utilize him more against Dallas in Week 15, making him a viable play in point per reception leagues. You could do worse if you need to replace either Gordon or Forte and dont have their handcuffs.MALCOLM MITCHELL (WR, Patriots)Mitchell has been targeted 27 times and caught 21 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns in his last four gamees.dddddddddddd Hes become one of Tom Bradys go-to receivers when a play has to be made, as 12 of his receptions have been for first downs. Hes become a reliable weekly producer for fantasy owners, so snag him if hes available.MARQUISE LEE (WR, Jaguars)Lee leads all Jaguars receivers with 728 reception yards and he has double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games in PPR leagues. Hes also the most targeted Jaguars receiver over that span with 31 targets. At this point, hes more productive than Allen Robinson, who cant be relied upon for fantasy production anymore this season.ROBBY ANDERSON (WR, Jets)When a rookie quarterback takes the helm, we often see a previously unproductive receiver suddenly become fantasy-relevant. Thats the case with Anderson, who is Bryce Pettys first look receiver. Anderson was targeted 11 times this past week. However, given the poor status of the Jets offense overall, dont count on Anderson to be anything more than a last-ditch flex play.DONTRELLE INMAN (WR, Chargers)Inman has double-digit points in PPR formats in five of his last six games. Hes also caught a touchdown pass in each of the last three games and hes average 80 receiving yards per game over that span. Thats solid WR2/3 production thats probably sitting on your waiver wire.TAYLOR GABRIEL (WR, Falcons)The Falcons were without Julio Jones this past week and there is no guarantee hell play in Week 15. That leaves Gabriel as the de facto number one receiver. Hes caught four touchdowns over the last four games and averaged 69 receiving yards per game in that span. The Falcons face the league-worst defense of the 49ers next week. Even if Jones plays, Gabriel will very likely play a major role in the offense.JERMAINE GRESHAM (TE, Cardinals)If you need a long shot at tight end for Week 15, Gresham may be the answer. Hes had five receptions in each of the past three games and hes been targeted 23 times over that span. Only three teams have allowed more passing yards than the Saints this season. Guess who plays the Saints in Week 15?---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Jerseys White ' ' '