Zykov nervous, excited about NHL debut

Valentin Zykov will make his NHL debut Thursday against the New York Rangers, but the Carolina Hurricanes won’t be easing the Russian forward into the lineup.

Zykov will be on Jordan Staal’s line opposite winger Sebastian Aho. Whether that’s the top line or second line — Victor Rask is centering Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm on another line — is debatable, but Zykov could get top-six minutes among the forward and be used on the power play.

“I think he’ll come in and give us some energy and should be physical,” Canes coach Bill Peters said.

Zykov, 21, was recalled Wednesday from the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes’ AHL affiliate, and has given Checkers coach Ulf Samuelson some strong, heavy…