Carolina Hurricanes: Should the SAT line be Broken up?

We all love the SAT line, but what about the scoring behind them? Why is the depth behind the big three hurting the Carolina Hurricanes?

We all love the idea of being able to load up Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen to have one line that just runs rampant. However, this may not be a great idea because it leaves the Hurricanes short in other areas. Sure, when we need a goal, you throw the big three together and you force an issue but there’s a case to break them up 5v5.

First of all, they are all way too young to be playing 20-25 minutes a night. You need to split them up just to ease the load on them. All three play power play time, both Finns play short handed hockey. Putting them together on the first line altogether means you’re more dependant on them and they will just wear over the course of the season.

Alternatively, there is the fact that you are putting all your eggs in one basket. Behind Svech, Aho and Turbo, there’s a huge drop off to the next forwards in terms of production. First you hit the rookie Martin Necas, but behind him, no forward has more than 30 points and that is just not good enough 64 games through a season.

With Aho being top 4 in the NHL in goals since November 1st, you can see why the team is still where it is. Largely, we have ridden Sebastian to respectability. But that is still a lot of pressure on someone who is only 22 years old.

We put enough pressure on him as it is, but then you make the SAT line and they’re the only ones who can score seemingly? Yes, they can score at will but not the point.

With that being said, we still don’t know how the trade deadline acquisition of Vincent Trocheck from the Florida Panthers will play out for the Canes. If he is able to lighten the load on the big three then of course you can put them back together. But Vinny is still yet to tally his first point in Carolina. Until he does start firing, is it not better to spread out the talent and production?

I love watching Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen go about their jobs. I love watching them skate, shoot, pass, everything. They are so dominant. However, without the rest of the forwards firing, is it really worth having the SAT line together while the depth is missing?  The big 3 are all on or about to his the 60 point plateau. Only one other forward has more than 30.

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: Do you think the Svechnikov Aho Teravainen line should stay together?