A key member of the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff success is staying in Finland while the team starts camp. Just how badly does the team need him?
The 2018-19 Carolina Hurricanes were full of success stories. It was bound to happen, on a team that waited 9 years to appear in the playoffs. Everything clicked. Greg McKegg became a bona fide NHLer. Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney were brick walls in goal. Justin Faulk actually defended well. But one of the most successful storylines was that of Saku Maenalanen.
Maenalanen, who came over from Finland, had a long-winding and unexpected path to make it in the NHL. He was a 5th round pick by the Nashville Predators way back in 2012. He dominated the 2013 World Juniors on a line with Teuvo Teravainen, scoring 7 goals in 7 games, and looked like a real find for them. Unfortunately, Maenalanen struggled to find footing playing pro hockey in Finland, and Nashville opted to let him become a free agent in 2016.
Fast forward to 2018. Maenalanen, who played with Sebastian Aho for Karpat in 2016, was coming off a career year in Liiga. He set career highs across the board with 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points, and obviously impressed the Carolina Hurricanes’ scouts. They gave Maenalanen a chance, and signed him to an entry-level deal, six years after he was originally drafted.
He was considered a guy who could potentially steal a 4th line spot out of training camp last year, but ultimately ended up being assigned to Charlotte. He earned his first recall in December, but played just one game in Anaheim before being re-assigned to the Checkers. After his growth down there, he was re-called for good in January.
He made a huge impact right away, scoring 4 goals and an assist in his first 8 games after the recall, dishing out 13 hits in the same timeframe. Saku obviously impressed the coaching staff, considering the continuous increase in his ice-time over the course of the season. He had a phenomenal 2 goal effort at Madison Square Garden. Although he didn’t score in the remaining 25 games he played, he was effective in a physical fourth line role, and finished with 4 goals and 4 assists in 34 games.
It was in the playoffs, however, that Maenalanen really won over the fans with his hounding play. His ability as a pest really shined in the Washington series. His role was very limited at first, being scratched in games 1 and 3 and playing just 4:16 on 6 shifts in game 2. Despite winning game 3, the Hurricanes were outmatched physically in those first 3 games, and turned to Saku.
Throughout games 4 to 7, Maenalanen made his presence felt in a big way. He dished out 14 hits in those 4 games, establishing a menacing presence on the forecheck and was relentless in his pursuit of the puck. Maenalanen earned a ton of praise from Canes fans, who really appreciated the physical tone he brought to the series in Micheal Ferland’s absence.
However, his defining moment was in Game 6. In the dying minutes of the game, Maenalanen gave Alex Ovechkin a shove in the back, forcing Ovechkin to nastily slash into Maenalanen’s legs. Saku then starting chirping Ovechkin and gave him an absolutely fierce glare, so fierce it even shook Sara Civian. Ovechkin was ejected from the game for his actions, clapping at the refs and making a mockery of himself in the process. That moment could’ve arguably been the turning point of the series ahead of game 7.
The Carolina Hurricanes would go on to win Game 6, and headed back to Washington for Game 7. Ovechkin set up a goal with a beautiful assist in the first period, but never managed to settle into the game and looked far from the dominant force he was earlier in the series. He managed just 4 shots on goal in over 35 minutes of ice-time, and was -2 in the game. The Carolina Hurricanes, obviously, went on to win and eliminated Ovechkin’s Capitals team.
Unfortunately, Saku was injured in the Islanders series, and by the time he returned, the Canes were on life support in the Eastern Conference Finals versus Boston. The Carolina Hurricanes really missed his presence, as he’d established a physical identity they’d sorely lacked and really blossomed as an agitator – a really invaluable contributor to the team.
So why isn’t he signed? Especially with the departures of forwards Micheal Ferland, Patrick Brown and defender Calvin de Haan, the Hurricanes have lost a physical dimension of the team that they have yet to replace. New additions Ryan Dzingel, Jake Gardiner, and Martin Necas aren’t guys who initiate physically, which should make Maenalanen even more important than he was last year. For whatever reason, it seems like the Carolina Hurricanes don’t agree.
GM Don Waddell announced that Maenalanen would remain in Finland for the time being, while the Hurricanes have gotten underway in training camp. Unfortunately for Maenalanen, there’s no clear place for him in the lineup to start. He would likely be an extra on opening night. But with injuries bound to happen, it makes sense to have a guy like Maenalanen, who’s proven himself as an NHL forward, on deck just in case. Especially when you consider the lack of grit in the Carolina Hurricanes’ current lineup.
Maenalanen also seemed to really enjoy himself in Carolina, so what’s the issue? The only real explanation is that Saku could be looking for a one-way contract, which would pay him (at minimum) a guaranteed minimum salary of $700,000. The Canes could be opting for a two-way deal, which would pay Maenalanen far less on an AHL salary, especially if they’re under the assumption that he’ll spend time playing in Charlotte.
It should go without saying, but I personally feel like it would be a big mistake for the Carolina Hurricanes to move forward without Maenalanen. He was an integral part of last season’s success, and plays a physical style of hockey that the core group of the Hurricanes lacks. He’s also proved himself as a pest, and managed to get under the skin of the top sniper in hockey. He’s been extremely impressive.
The team has also thrown around a truckload of money this offseason, so it seems silly that they’d oust Maenalanen over what’s likely a difference of close to $500,000 worth of salary. It seems like a no brainer to re-sign him, considering that Saku has established himself as a key contributor on the squad and a vital part of the team overall. He’s endeared by the fans and his teammates, and definitely showed he belongs on this team. It’s hard to doubt anything the Canes regime does, but hopefully, they’ll wake up and get this one right.