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3 Keys for the Carolina Hurricanes to Make the Playoffs in 2020

By Jeb Bohn

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) scores in the third period during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on March 3, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) scores in the third period during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on March 3, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Offense

The Carolina Hurricanes finished the 2018-19 season with 245 goals, placing them in the middle of the pack offensively.  Respectable, but it’s going to take more than that in 2019-20.  Not only did the Metro see improvement for several teams, but the Eastern Conference as a whole should provide a more difficult test this season.

Sebastian Aho, who set career highs across the board last year, is just 22 and has likely not reached his NHL ceiling.  Even if he doesn’t see as big a leap offensively, he should undoubtedly be a point-per-game player this season.  Teuvo Teravainen continued his upward trend, finishing the 19-20 campaign at just under the point-per-game mark and should be there again.

Andrei Svechnikov is poised to make strides in his sophomore season following a rookie effort that saw the skilled winger pot 20 goals.  He’ll face tougher opposition this year as he’s secured his place in the upper end of the lineup.  A full season from Nino Niederreiter also bodes well for the Hurricanes.

The team lost Micheal Ferland, who netted 17 goals and 40 points last season but made a couple of key pickups with the additions of Erik Haula (29 goals in 17-18) and Ryan Dzingel (26 goals last season).  While neither player brings the physical edge that Ferland did, each player should easily make up for the offensive loss.

The wild card comes in the form of Martin Necas, who will have every opportunity to earn a roster spot with the big club this fall.  The talented center (who will likely be broken in on the wing) followed up a strong performance with the Czech Republic under-20 team by notching 35 points in 49 games with the Charlotte Checkers.

On the blueline, the quartet of Dougie Hamilton, Justin Faulk, Jaccob Slavin, and Brett Pesce combined for 44 goals, led by Hamilton’s 18.  It’s also worth noting that Hamilton’s total marked the highest single-season goal output by a Hurricane’s defenseman since their arrival in North Carolina 22 years ago and he was the 5th ranked goal scorer for the team last year.

Note: the tweet below also includes playoff goals

The forward depth is great heading into the new season, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.  The Hurricanes need consistency from their top-end players if they hope to get back into the playoffs.

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