Carolina Hurricanes: Way Too Early 2020-2021 Potential Lines

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen – Sebastian Aho – Andrei Svechnikov 

I doubt that I need to go into too much detail on why this line should return. Yes, it is possible it could hinder scoring depth. The hope is that come next season the second line has had more time to mature into a true top-6 group, and we won’t notice the Canes having all their superstars on one line.

Ryan Dzingel – Vincent Trocheck – Martin Necas

A couple of things here. I’m a firm believer that Dzingel can contribute to this lineup. He’s had a tough go of it this season, but there are tangible skills there and he’s got another year on his contract. I like him opposite Necas because of the compatibility of their speed. Having Trocheck in the middle creates a comfortable L-R-R handedness match.

Also, how can you not love Dzingel’s vision from behind the net? Remember this set up when he and Necas flew in on opposite wings?

On Trocheck, some fans were WAY too quick to jump to conclusions on his acquisition. Saying the trade wouldn’t pan out after a handful of games is premature. Trocheck is very skilled, and he’s actually the right-handed center I had kept an eye on the past few years. Give him longer than a week’s worth of games.

Necas is going to be special. I’ve got him at 2RW only because I think they’ll give him a second year on the wing like they did with Aho when he first broke in. I’d like to see him at center eventually, but this is good for now.

Nino Niederreiter – Morgan Geekie – Warren Foegele

Some regression was to be expected for Nino after his incredible start to his Carolina Hurricanes tenure. I still think he can reach 50 points when he’s at his best, and he’s playing his heaviest game. I like him in the Canes middle six for his size and his release. When he’s playing confidently, and hitting the net, his shot is his best asset.

ALL ABOARD the Morgan Geekie hype train! Obviously, it’s still very early in his career, but I like what I’ve seen from the kid thus far.

Two-way play, hockey sense, and a good release are all checked off. I get that it’s still possible for him to stumble, sort of like Foegele did, but we’re not speaking that into existence. I really like his potential as a long-term 3C for the Carolina Hurricanes.

At one time, I wondered out loud if Foegele was expendable because of a serious rut he was in. But, I definitely jumped the gun on that idea. He has since proven his value in the bottom-6. His tenacity pairs well with Nino’s forechecking, and even if he himself can’t finish consistently, he’s got two line mates who go to the net.

This line would be bound to get some bounces. The clip below is a FoeGOAL in every sense.

Brock McGinn – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

McGinn’s value to this team cannot be understated. He’s the best pure grinder on the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s the best penalty killing forward in a traditional sense. He always seems to pop up in clutch moments, too. Whether that’s a big hit, shot block, goal, or getting a puck out. He’s reliable.

Staal has been a serviceable captain, but he’s also been over-slotted for far too long now. He still has value, but he’s declining, especially offensively. He plays like a shutdown 3C. In my opinion, conceptually, the difference between 3rd and 4th line center is negligible. If you want to flip Staal and Geekie in these mock lines, go right ahead.

I like Martinook and the energy he brings. He has his fans for good reason. With a year left on his deal, I think we can pencil him into the bottom-6. His ability to be a gadget fourth liner means he’ll always have someone calling for his services. Will that be the Carolina Hurricanes after this upcoming season? I doubt it. But, we’re living in the moment, and I love what he brings right now.