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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 reasons Zykov-Aho-Teravainen line can be league’s best

By Andrew Miller

The Carolina Hurricanes' Valentin Zykov, left, skates back to the bench with Teuvo Teravainen (86) after he scored during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, March 22, 2018. The Canes won, 6-5. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News
The Carolina Hurricanes' Valentin Zykov, left, skates back to the bench with Teuvo Teravainen (86) after he scored during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, March 22, 2018. The Canes won, 6-5. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 22: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates Haydn Fleury #4 and Valentin Zykov #73 during an NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes on March 22, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 22: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates with teammates Haydn Fleury #4 and Valentin Zykov #73 during an NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes on March 22, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

5. Potential each player has yet to fulfill

Saying that this is how Aho and Teravainen will top out during their careers offensively would be coming from a naive viewpoint. They blew their stat lines from the previous season out of the water, and look to only go up from here.

Moreover, thinking about the ceiling for Zykov in terms of scoring potential is an even more intriguing picture. Zykov has a nose for putting the puck in the net that is just unmatched by pretty much the rest of any forward on Carolina’s roster.

Each of these three players have their own unique skill set to further develop, and could see tremendous growth come next season. All three also have the ability to command the puck in the offensive zone, and facilitate their own scoring chances if need be.

Teravainen is the oldest of the three players on this line. He first made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks a few years back. At 23-years-old, he’s still got a ways to go before he enters his prime years as a scorer in this league.

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