Aleksi Saarela
If you couldn’t tell by now, the Hurricanes have a plethora of talented young forwards chomping at the bit to make the roster this fall. Aleksi Saarela is no exception, and has a very good chance at making it.
Saarela is yet another Checker having a career year. The young center finished out the AHL regular season with 30 goals and 24 assists for a combined 54 points in 69 games played. Saarela has a rocket of a slapshot, and a laser of wristshot.
Paired with shutdown winger Jordan Martinook or Justin Williams, Saarela could see great success right off the bat as a third or fourth line center in the 2019-20 season. On top of his stellar offensive numbers, Saarela is as disciplined as they come. The young Finn only registered 12 PIM in the AHL this past season.
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Saarela would also be a great compliment to budding forward Warren Foegele. Both of these forwards are young, fast, and heavy-hitting, and could build great chemistry as a tandem shutdown/scoring line. Look for Saarela to run with his inevitable look at the Hurricanes roster this September.