Center Riley Nash Thriving in Larger Role on Carolina Hurricanes in 2014-15

Injuries to Eric and Jordan Staal have left the Carolina Hurricanes woefully undermanned at center and contributed to the team's disappointing 0-2-2 start.

The gaping hole in the depth chart, however, has provided 25-year-old center Riley Nash with a splendid opportunity to perform in a high-responsibility role.

So far, he's performed at a higher level than ever seen before.

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Nash has scored three points in four games in 2014-15, won 37 of 57 faceoffs and set a career high with 21:20 in ice time against Buffalo.

He's assumed a regular top-six role in the absence of both Staals and prospered in it. In the ugly shootout loss to the Sabres, Nash was clearly the best player on the ice, not only registering two points and dominating the faceoff circle but also winning a plethora of puck races and board battles.

Considering the near invisibility of Elias Lindholm and lack of production from Nathan Gerbe in the first week of the season, Nash has been one of few bright spots in Carolina's offense. He's been just as strong defensively, as evidenced by the vast decline in his Corsi against (shot attempts against) statistics—despite a much larger percentage of his shifts starting in the defensive zone.

Statistic	2013-14	2014-15
Points/60 min.	1.56	2.65
Corsi For/60 min.	55.7	59.1
Corsi Against/60 min.	54.1	41.5
Off. Zone Start %	59.3%	52.9%
Faceoff %	46.0%	64.9%
Average Ice Time	12:40	17:00

The Alberta native was drafted 21st overall by Edmonton in 2007, but a strange exchange of negotiations sent him to Carolina in 2010.

The Oilers grew tired of Nash's commitment to Cornell University and dealt him to Carolina for the No. 46 selection (Martin Marincin) in that year's draft. Just a month later, however, Nash decided to leave Cornell after all and sign his entry-level contract with the 'Canes. 

Season	GP	G	A	Pts
2012-13	32	4	5	9
2013-14	73	10	14	24
2014-15	4	1	2	3

In 2012, Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal named Nash the ninth-biggest draft bust in Oilers history. Two full seasons and four games of another later, the 6'1" center may not have quite lived up to first-round expectations, but he has certainly developed into a capable two-way NHL forward.

Said Nash to Chip Alexander of the News & Observer during September's training camp:

"

Although I thought I finished strong at the end of last season, I need to take that next step and become more relied-upon this year. This is the NHL. Every year there’s a new wave of guys coming at you, so you have to be ready to go.

"

Nash's words have proved prophetic.

Long weak in the faceoff dot, it appears a few offseasons of work and perhaps more time with assistant coach Rod Brind'Amour has helped Nash finally become a viable draw-taker. Nash's 10-game moving average of faceoff winning percentage, ranging from the start of the 2013-14 campaign until today, can be seen below:

Graphic by Mark Jones

No. 20 finished last season with one of the better offensive stretches of his brief NHL career, tallying seven points in his last 14 appearances.

He didn't register a single shot on goal in either of Carolina's first two games of 2014-15, then transformed completely following Eric Staal's injury and his promotion to the upper lines.

According to Alexander, the older Staal is expected to return next Tuesday against Vancouver, three games away from now. Even when he does re-enter the lineup, conversely, Nash may have proved himself worthy of retaining a second-line role.

In a 2014-15 Hurricanes season that already seems destined for failure, the maturation and potential breakout of Riley Nash could emerge as a much-needed source of optimism.

Mark Jones has covered the Carolina Hurricanes for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.