Carolina Hurricanes: Four Players Who Have Stepped Up Their Game This Season

Petr Mrazek

Petr Mrazek entered the 2018 season as the number one goaltender and he has yet to look back. 30 wins in 49 games is as good as any team could hope for, and far surpassed the expectations that many placed on the 27 year old.

A quick glance at Mrazek’s numbers wouldn’t lead one to surmise a career season, or a season. His goals against and save percentage numbers are basically identical to his previous campaign. The greatest difference between the two seasons is his shutout numbers; Mrazek already boasts two shutouts this year, half of his total he had all last season.

In nine games, the Carolina Hurricanes are 7-1 with Mrazek in net. He has stepped up his game in ways that are clearly visible when you watch him go to work in the crease. He seems more in control, he seems more focuses, and he is still providing Caniacs with the highlight reel worthy saves that he has come to be known for.

In eight seasons, Mrazek has played his best hockey in Carolina. If he can keep up this pace, we could be witnessing the best years of the Magic Man’s career.

Erik Haula

There were plenty of offseason acquisitions for the Carolina Hurricanes to be excited about at the start of the year. General manager Don Waddell had himself a busy summer and worked tirelessly to add talent across the ice. The fruit of that effort is clearly evident in the production that has come from Erik Haula.

Haula has provided Caniacs with a reason for their excitement. His has put up a pretty remarkable seven goals in 13 games and has proven to be the kind of goal scorer that this team lacked at the beginning of last season. He is clearly dispelling the notion that his 2017 season in Las Vegas was a fluke.

The level of production that has transpired from this seven-year veteran is even more incredible when considered in the context of his career. Taken in the expansion draft and helping aid his team to the Stanley Cup championship, Haula’s career took a turn when a scary knee injury robbed him of his 2018 season.

There is little doubt that he has returned to his 30 goal form and has most likely worked his way into the Carolina Hurricanes long term plans. What he has done with the role he has been given almost defines the idea of truly “stepping your game up”.

If Haula can continue this rabid pace than the Hurricanes could end the season with a fringe 40 goal scorer.

Dougie Hamilton

Any conversation that is focused on players stepping up their game must include Dougie Hamilton. The 26-year-old hasn’t simply been dominant, he’s arguably been the best defenseman in the entire NHL.

A career marred with spurts of mediocrity; Hamilton has delivered the goods thus far in Carolina. Spanning back to his first year with the team last season, Hamilton has over 55 points and 24 goals in 95 games. Those numbers are elite, but only tell half of the story.

This year, Hamilton has played the best hockey of his career. In only 13 games, the eight-year veteran has 16 points, six of those being goals. his offensive ability has proved exceptional, and this coaching staff has clearly relied upon that production for the team’s success.

Hamilton hasn’t just been a greater offensive force, but he has limited his penchant for defensive mistakes that led many to label him a liability. His physical style has proven useful for this team, and his added chemistry with his teammates, being birthed

from their experience playing together last season, has proved difficult for the league’s best teams to handle.

Caniacs have a special place in their heart for Hamilton, and he has rewarded them with what could become a career season; a season that could culminate in Norris consideration.

Andrei Svechnikov

Was there really any doubt? No player on this team has stepped up their play to the level that Andrei Svechnikov has. His ability has been put on full display this year, and he has proven that he is every bit as good as draft expert’s predicted when he was taken second overall in 2018.

Still a teenager, Svechnikov has produced over a point a game this season. He has excelled in every aspect of the game and has proven to the coaching staff that he can be trusted to execute in every zone when the game matters most.

An important facet of Svechnikov’s success is how varied his production actually is. Often perceived as a goal scorer, Svech has put up eight assists in the season’s first 13 games. He has proven that he is a multidimensional talent, talent capable of carrying the team’s offensive weight; all while still maintaining his ruthless ability to put the puck in the back of the net.

Svech has led the charge, but these four players have all clearly stepped up this season. They have shown the hockey world that Carolina is one of the leagues very best.