The Carolina Hurricanes are poised to enter this upcoming season with a couple of new faces in their forward core. The trade deadline acquisition of Vincent Trocheck and the offseason addition of Jesper Fast will boost the Canes’ depth scoring potential. Trocheck began to mesh with his teammates toward season’s end and into the playoffs. The arrival of Fast should also aid the Canes with depth scoring and provide a strong leadership presence in the locker room amid the departure of Hurricanes’ veteran Justin Williams.
There are also a few young players to be excited about this season, the most notable being Martin Necas. Morgan Geekie’s grit and stellar play at the end of the season and determination in the playoffs have Canes fans excited for the future.
Pressing Forward – Carolina Hurricanes are Poised to Strike
One aspect the Hurricanes lacked last season was depth scoring. If they’re to continue getting elite-level play from the top line of Teuvo Teravainen, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov — in addition to depth scoring from the bottom six — the Canes should see themselves on a path to a third consecutive playoff berth.
The Hurricanes’ top line is responsible for almost 40% of all goals scored last season, accounting for 77 of the 206 regular-season goals. In order for the Hurricanes to push forward towards a Stanley Cup Final appearance, they’re going to need more support from the rest of the forwards.
The recent acquisitions of Trocheck and Fast should serve to bolster the offensive core’s abilities. Trocheck looks to be a bright spot in the Hurricanes’ lineup as a right-handed center and play-driver they so desperately needed. If he can return to his pre-injury form of 75 points, the Hurricanes and their analytics department will find themselves bound for the playoffs.
The other big addition for the Hurricanes is that of Fast. A fan favorite for the New York Rangers now finds himself in Raleigh set to be a staple in the Hurricanes’ lineup for years to come. Caniacs can expect him to be a leader both on and off the ice, having won the Rangers Player’s Player Award several years running.
Fast provides depth scoring in addition to being one of the players that can kill penalties and hold himself accountable for his play on the ice by playing a true 200-foot game. If the new forwards can help contribute and the depth players can begin to put the biscuit in the basket, the Hurricanes will find themselves on the path to a stellar season.
Young Guns
The Hurricanes are a young team. The average age is 26, and while young, they’re extremely talented and are only going to get better over the next few seasons.
One of the most exciting young players in the league is Carolina’s winger Martin Necas. The 21-year-old Czech native is poised for a breakout season, most likely playing on the wing alongside Trocheck and Niederreiter. I remember being in attendance at last season’s game against the Arizona Coyotes when Necas walked the puck around the boards, seemingly floating above the ice as he wrapped around the net and deposited the puck behind Antti Raanta. This goal was one of the many highlight-reel goals Necas will be scoring in the future. His footwork and speed are among the league’s best and is the driving force behind his on-ice capabilities.
Leading the charge is the ever-evolving SAT line. That is Svechnikov, Aho, and Teravainen. Aho and Terravainen are two elite playmakers coupled with the dynamic finishing ability of Svechnikov, so this line will be a force in the league for years to come.
The Hurricanes have made a few moves leading up to the new season, and I’m excited to see how these changes influence the locker room as well as the on-ice result. The front office has done a good job of setting the team up for success. With the prospect of a shortened season, the Hurricanes and their full-tilt offense could see them playoff-bound. Here’s hoping hockey comes back soon, and I’m eager to see how the newly shaped offense performs on the ice.