Jeff Skinner may make the Carolina Hurricanes.

Crisp passes. Solid shot opportunities. Two points (a goal Saturday in a 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers and an assist Friday night in a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators) in two games. “He is getting better without question..he is one of the players who seems to be getting stronger with his legs.”

All of those things could be said about the Hurricanes’ 2010 first-round pick. Skinner has already impressed not only the coaching staff (that quote above came from Paul Maurice after Friday’s pre-season game against Nashville). He’s impressed me.

I had the opportunity to take in the game on Friday. Skinner played on a line with veterans Chad LaRose and Jussi Jokinen. The line was the best for the ‘Canes that night, getting quality scoring chances from all three players. The rookie got an assist on a power-play goal by Patrick O’Sullivan in the first period and showed all of the things expected of him.

But there is a problem with Skinner. He is 18 years old. He still has eligibility in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers, where he tore it up last year with 90 points in 64 games while serving as the alternate captain. In some people’s opinion, he is not ready for the NHL.

That includes my opinion. Yes, Skinner played well Friday night. Yes, he was fantastic at Traverse City. Yes, he scored Saturday, hammering home the rebound of an Erik Cole shot. Yes, he has impressed the coaches and others during training camp. But, it was all against sub-par talent. Nashville was playing a roster half-filled with prospects.

My suggestion: Keep Skinner in Carolina for the first two games in Europe. Get him playing time in at least one of those games. See how he does. If he keeps up, keep him on the team for the next eight games then send him back to Kitchener. If he struggles, send him home when the team reaches the states. Eric Staal was a lanky 18-year old like Skinner when he made his debut in 2003. He did well for his age (11 goals and 31 points) and the team he was on (Carolina wasn’t that good back then). He then played a season in the AHL during the NHL lockout. He returned in 2005 and has recorded five straight 70-point seasons and four seasons with 30 goals or more.

I think Skinner would do good with another year of seasoning in Kitchener. Bring him back to training camp next year with the third-line center spot or maybe a second-line winger spot gifted to him because Jeff Skinner will no doubt be ready by then.

***

Through the first week of the preseason, the Carolina Hurricanes are 2-2. But the records at this point do not matter very much; what is important is the play of each individual skater and goalkeeper. The best stay, those not good enough are sent home. Just like American Idol.

Let’s take a look at who is guaranteed to be suiting up for the ‘Canes on Thursday October 7, 2010, in Helsinki, Finland

FORWARDS: Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen, Tom Kostopolous, Chad LaRose, Tuomo Ruutu, Eric Staal, Brandon Sutter

DEFENSEMEN: Anton Babchuk, Joe Corvo, Tim Gleason, Jamie McBain, Joni Pitkanen

GOALIES: Justin Peters and Cam Ward.

Veteran Sergei Samsonov was sent to the hospital last night after sliding into the boards headfirst. The team said that he “had full feeling in his extremities,” accord to WRAL. Hockey website Kukla’s Korner reported that Samsonov has a strained neck. Jiri Tlusty is still recovering from an injury sustained during the AHL playoffs last year but has been pretty much guaranteed a roster spot.

If you put those two in the forwards list, there are three spots available for forwards and one or two for defensemen.

The major players for the forward spots are Skinner, Drayson Bowman, Zac Dalpe, and Patrick O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan, who was signed right before training camp started, has two goals and an assist in three games during the preseason, and I think he has earned a spot. That leaves Dalpe, Bowman, and Skinner to fill out the last two. This will be the big battle in upcoming days as the roster is whittled down to season-opening numbers. My hope is that Drayson Bowman gets one of those slots. Maurice has commented that Bowman has shown two sides to his game during camp, displaying both offensive and defensive capabilities. During Saturday night’s game, he hit the post in the first period. I fully expect Skinner to make the team considering his play the last two games.

There is one -- maybe two -- defensemen slot open. Let’s go with two. Jay Harrison played 38 games with the Hurricanes last year and is the closest thing Carolina has to a tough guy (he participated in a fight against the Thrashers), so I would safely put him on the squad. Other candidates for the last spot include Brett Carson (12 points in 54 games with a +5) and recent trade acquisition Bobby Sanguinetti. This one is a clear toss-up, as all have demonstrated particular talent. Carson played well during his time with the team last year, and Sanguinetti had 42 points with Hartford of the AHL last year. Sanguinetti may have a leg up with two assists against Nashville on Thursday. This one is too close to call.

The Hurricanes play the Florida Panthers next Wednesday in Florida and take on the Thrashers at home on Oct. 1 before heading off to Europe. They will play SKA St. Petersburg in Russia on Oct. 4 before beginning their season Oct. 7. My guess is that Maurice will cut down his roster after the Oct. 1 game and take the full team overseas with him.

The team cut Brian Rodney and Riley Nash among others on Saturday night after the game.