Carolina Hurricanes All-Star Break Report Cards: Forwards

Canes Above Expectation

Teuvo Teravainen – (A+) – Teravainen has managed to post what has to be the stealthiest 48 points (10 g 38 a) in recent memory. He rode a three-point effort against Winnipeg into the break. “Turbo” has only 8 PIMs on the season, and we love to see disciplined hockey. He is the Carolina Hurricanes’ leader in assists (38), power play points (18), power play assists (15), and CF (58.8%). He’s also averaging 1.7 primary assists per 60 minutes (a/60). He’s been the Canes’ best forward.

Sebastian Aho – (A) – I don’t think Aho is underperforming at all. Even when he gets into one of his scoring ruts, he makes an impact because of how he thinks the game. Aho leads the team in goals (24) and is on pace for 39, is tied for the team lead in power play goals (5), and he’s having a career year in shooting percentage (16.8%). The only thing holding him back from ‘A+’ status is that slow start and his below average face-off win rate (46%).

Andrei Svechnikov – (A) – He’s a trendsetter and just plain exciting to watch. His on-ice vision is matched only by Aho and Teravainen. He’s tied with Aho in power play goals (5). Among Hurricanes’ forwards, the only stat he leads is PIMs (38). Hence, I didn’t give him an ‘A+’. As his discipline continues to improve, he’ll become an all-situations player. He’ll be a force for years to come.

Lucas Wallmark – (A-) – I love Wallmark. For spending most of his time this season as the 4C and getting an average of 13:11 TOI per game, he’s been spectacular. Wallmark has 22 points (10 g 12 a) and his 10 goals to date match his total from last season. Wallmark is great on both sides of the puck, and he’s a true utility guy capable of playing in all situations. I hope we lock him up long-term because he’s one that can really lock down the Hurricanes’ bottom-6. Also, he’s quite modest.

Martin Necas – (A-) – You could make an argument for Necas winning the Calder trophy based on what he’s done with his limited ice time, but he won’t win it. His skating is already elite and his goal celly (the archer) is fun. Necas projects to finish the season with 45 points (20 g 25 a), and that would put him four shy of Aho’s rookie season total (49). Did you know Necas is 6th in the entire NHL in shooting percentage (19.4%)?

Canes Playing As Expected

Warren Foegele – (B) – Foegele is a guy that, in my opinion, is developing on track. He is on pace for 16 goals and 35 points. I think he could flirt with 40 points on a seasonal basis, but it’s clear his role is more of a high-energy disruptor. He is tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (3). He clearly thrives in big moments, but it’s hard to ignore that he has four separate goalless droughts of at least five games this season.

This has no bearing on his performance so far this season, but I got a kick out of it. If you look up Foegele’s rate metrics from his brief call-up in 2017-2018, you’ll see that his points per 60 minutes was 7.5 and his shots per 60 minutes was 15.1. Impressive and completely unsustainable.

Brock McGinn – (C+) – I love what McGinn brings to the table. You know you’re getting 110% effort, responsible penalty killing, and sandpaper. He’s got 17 takeaways to only 8 giveaways. However, his production has fallen off so far this season. McGinn is goalless in his past 13, and he’s got only two assists in that same time frame. I don’t expect him to be a 40-point guy; I don’t think anyone does. He should be able to manage 25-30 points like he did the past two seasons.

Ryan Dzingel – (B-) – I hesitate to say Dzingel is underperforming, but he’s also not been as electric as I know he can be. A couple things stand out. His aTOI is down over three minutes from what it was in Ottawa last season.

Less opportunity equals fewer chances. Worth noting is that for the first time in his career he’s rocking a CF% above 50% (53.1%). Yet, a player as offensively-inclined as Dzingel is only starting in the offensive zone 47.2% of the time. His 9.8% shooting percentage is a career-low, and I have to figure it’s mostly bad luck. He shoots from the right places. Hopefully he gets going down the stretch.

Erik Haula – (B-) – I think most of us were pumped when the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Erik Haula. Things haven’t been great of late. Between trade rumors, his 5-game pointless drought, being a healthy scratch and his noticeable lack of effort on the defensive side of the puck at times, a cloud has formed over his Carolina Hurricanes tenure.

Aside from all the noise, his play on the ice has been generally good. His 11 goals and 19 points in 30 games is solid. At this pace, he projects to finish the season with 39 points if he stays healthy. With a goals per 60 minutes of 1.4 and an a/60 of 1.0, he’s nearly as productive as he was in Vegas in 2017-2018. He is also shooting at 17.7%, which is a career best.

The Under-performers

Jordan Staal – (C) – Unfortunately, this ‘C’ isn’t for captain. Don’t get me wrong, I love Staal and if this grade was based solely upon leadership and doing the little things, he’d get an ‘A’. The fact of the matter is that his production isn’t there, and he’s been over-slotted as a 2C the past two seasons.

His 0.36 points per game is his worst with the Carolina Hurricanes and second worst of his career. I’ll be the first one to point out all of his underrated plays, but eventually he’s got to play up to that 6 million dollar price tag.

Nino Niederreiter – (C-) – Oh, Nino. I hate this for him. In one sentence, he’s driving possession (56.2 CF%), but failing to convert any of his chances. I counted three high-danger looks for him in the Winnipeg game, but all three shots went wide. He had a nice December in terms of playmaking, but eventually he needs to pick his corner and snipe one.

His TOI is down over three minutes from where it was with the Hurricanes last season. His shooting percentage (7.1%) is easily the worst of his career if you exclude 2011-2012 with the Islanders. The trade was one-for one, but it looks like it’s evening out.

More from Cardiac Cane

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• Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
• Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
• The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
• Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes

Jordan Martinook – (C-) – Again, if this was a grade based solely on energy, he’d get an ‘A’. Unfortunately, Martinook’s TOI is down by three minutes. It’s possible he’s still dealing with lingering effects of the core muscle repair, but that doesn’t change the numbers.

He is averaging under a shot per game. Furthermore, he is goalless in his past 18, and he’s pointless in his past six. He’s a glue guy, and he’s got a role he fills.

Well, I think that about does- wait, “forgot” one.

Justin Williams – (A+++) – DAD!!!

Okay, now we’re done. Do you agree or disagree with my assessments? Stay tuned, I’ll be dropping the defensemen and goalies combination edition later this week!

Question for CC Readers:  What grades would you give our forwards at the All-Star break? Would you change anything about these grades?