Carolina Hurricanes: Teuvo Teravainen Poised for Big Year

Since breaking in with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014, Teuvo Teravainen has improved offensively year over year.  After setting career highs in assists and points last season, he’s poised to continue his ascent with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Let’s start with the obvious: Teuvo Teravainen is good.  The Finnish winger is a strong skater with great hands who has the ability to control the flow of play.  There’s not much to dislike about his game, though taking a few more shots on goal wouldn’t hurt.  That said, he’s shown no regression during his time with the Carolina Hurricanes, so I won’t give him too much grief about that.

Teravainen finished up the 2018-19 regular season ranking third on the team in goals with 21 and added 55 assists to lead the team.  Playing in all 82 games, he finished at a +30, good for second on the team behind Brett Pesce.  Teravainen was no slouch in the playoffs, tallying 7 goals and 3 assists in 15 games.

Not only is he a lock for a top-six role but the offseason additions of Erik Haula and Ryan Dzingel brought in more offensive talent that Teravainen could line up with.

So, what can we expect from Teuvo in 2019-20?

That’s Another Carolina Hurricanes Goal!

During his three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Teravainen’s average shooting percentage sat at 8.3%.  In his three seasons with the Hurricanes, that average sits at 11.3%, including a career-high 12.6% last season.  I’ll err on the conservative side and run with his 10.5% average over his six seasons in the league.

In his two most recent seasons, Teravainen has averaged 176 shots on goal.  Now, I said I’d like to see him take more shots and I stand by that.  Yes, he is a gifted playmaker but his hockey IQ is at a high enough level that he can pick his spots without letting up on the throttle.  I’d like to see 200 shots which only requires one additional shot every three games compared to last year.

Running with that math would place Teuvo around 20 goals again.  Now, factor in the average goal-scoring increase throughout his career and Teravainen could be looking at 24 goals this season.  There’s no question that he has the talent to eclipse that mark but his pass-first mentality could hinder it.

What a Pass from Teuvo Teravainen!

Teravainen’s 55 assists were the most that any Hurricane has put up since Rod Brind’Amour‘s 56 helpers in the 2006-07 season.  It’s his bread and butter, increasing by an average of 9 assists per season since his rookie year.

The offseason influx of offensive talent that the Hurricanes have seen ensures that whoever Teravainen plays with, there will be someone on the ice capable of finishing the chances that he creates.  A wild card comes in the question of whether the Hurricanes can improve their ailing power play (where Teravainen picked up 24 of his 76 points).

If their efficiency with the man advantage increases, Teravainen will be a big part of it.

Don’t take my word for it, look back at this feed to Dougie Hamilton:

Another fact to keep in mind: the Hurricanes finished 19th in the NHL last season with 44 power-play goals scored.  Teravainen was a direct factor on 54.5% of those, tying him with Sebastian Aho at the top of the mountain.

Crux

Teuvo Teravainen is a key to the Hurricanes’ offense, no question.  He is also sound defensively, a further testament to his on-ice awareness and work ethic.  Turning 25 a month before the opening puck drop, Teravainen is in his prime and while a huge jump in points isn’t likely, he’s already close to point-per-game production.

I foresee him producing at that level in 2019-20, though his totals could surpass that expectation if the Hurricanes get their power-play on track.  With Aho continuing to get better, Andrei Svechnikov getting a full season of top-six minutes, and a deeper offense, Teravainen’s skills will get ample opportunity to shine.

Looking at the trends through his six-year career, Teravainen could be set for a 24 goal, 64 assist season.  The fact that he’s signed through the 2023-24 season at an AAV of $5.4 million is an absolute coup for the Carolina Hurricanes.

What do you expect from Teuvo Teravainen in 2019-2020?