Carolina Hurricanes All-Star Break Report Cards: Forwards

The All-Star Break is a good time for reflecting upon prior expectations and setting new goals. With this in mind, how did the Carolina Hurricanes’ forwards perform during the first half of the season?

Hey Canes fans! I hope this article finds you doing well as it was certainly an eventful weekend in the sporting world. Anyway, it’s time to refocus and set our sights on the remaining 32 games of the season. What better way to get back in the swing of things than grading each of the Carolina Hurricanes’ forwards on their performance thus far?

Before we dive in, some general guidelines. I assigned grades on the basis of individual performance relative to the team’s overall performance. Each of the forwards falls into one of three categories: Above Expectation, As Expected, or Below Expectation. Basic and advanced statistics appear as necessary since I’m not directly comparing Hurricanes’ players.

Lastly, I hope I don’t need to say this, but I will anyway. The following grades are mine and not representative of Cardiac Cane as a whole.

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

• 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
• 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?