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Carolina Hurricanes All-Star Break Report Cards: Forwards

By Luke Schull

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 21: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Ryan Dzingel (18) and Carolina Hurricanes Center Lucas Wallmark (71) congratulate Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Martin Necas (88) after scoring during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets on January 21, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 21: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Ryan Dzingel (18) and Carolina Hurricanes Center Lucas Wallmark (71) congratulate Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Martin Necas (88) after scoring during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets on January 21, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 31: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on December 31, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 31: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on December 31, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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%)?

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