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Carolina Hurricanes: Point Projections at the 30-Game Mark

By Jeb Bohn

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 05: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates his goal at the end of the OT period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on December 5th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 05: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates his goal at the end of the OT period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on December 5th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Ryan Dzingel and Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 03: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Ryan Dzingel (18) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) get ready for a defensive zone face-off during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 3, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ryan Dzingel and Jaccob Slavin

Ryan Dzingel was added to bring offensive depth to the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’s done a perfectly serviceable job of that so far.  He’s been a bit streaky since picking up points in 3 of the Hurricanes’ first 5 games, but he’s not here to be “The Guy” so a little of that is acceptable.

He’s currently on pace for 113 shots, which would be his lowest total since his 30-game rookie season.  Along with that, Dzingel’s current shooting percentage sits at 11.9%.  That’s not bad, but it’s nearly 3% below his career average.  Much can be attributed to his bouncing around the lineup but you can credit his uneven performance for that and I’m not here to play “The Chicken or the Egg.”

LW. <ul> <li><strong>2018-19: </strong>78GP; 26g; 30a; 56p</li> <li><strong>2019-20: </strong>30GP; 5g; 12a; 17p</li> <li><strong>Projection: </strong>82GP; 14g; 33a; 47p</li> </ul>. LW. Carolina Hurricanes. RYAN DZINGEL

That’s not a hideous drop-off from his career season and it’s possible that, if he takes better quality shots, he could notch a few more goals.  The fact that his mentality is to continue working instead of sulking bodes well for him.

Is anyone surprised to see Jaccob Slavin here?  He’s gotten better and better every year since breaking into the league in 2015-16.  The defensive pair of Slavin and Hamilton has been phenomenal for the Hurricanes as both players’ strengths complement each other without becoming a hindrance.

Carolina Hurricanes. JACCOB SLAVIN. D. <ul> <li><strong>2016-17: </strong>82GP; 5g; 29a; 34p</li> <li><strong>2019-20: </strong>30GP; 3g; 14a; 17p</li> <li><strong>Projection: </strong>82GP; 8g; 38a; 46p</li> </ul>. D

Those aren’t the flashiest offensive numbers for a defenseman but, when coupled with his world-class defensive play, they should put Slavin firmly in the Norris discussion.

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