Carolina Hurricanes: Revisiting 2019-20 Player Predictions

2. Andrei Svechnikov

Prediction

Andrei Svechnikov’s role on the Carolina Hurricanes should be elevated in the 2019-20 season. He is primed to be a 30-goal scorer and it wouldn’t be out of any stretch of imagination if he had 35 or 40. Svechnikov needs to be elevated to the first power play unit and his penalty minutes should drop by about 20.

Analysis of 2019-20 Performance Compared to Prediction

As the season currently stands, Svechnikov has 24 goals in 68 games played. I predicted a 30-goal season, but also mentioned that he could potentially get 35 to 40 goals. With a full 82 game season he would easily break the 30-goal mark. I consider this part of my prediction a win because of the uncertainty of the regular season being completed. He did prove how elite of a scorer he is, and he caught the attention of NHL fans on numerous occasions.

In his first NHL season, Svechnikov had 5 points on the power play, all assists. He needed to have his role expanded on the power play and that did happen. The elevation on the power play proved to be a great success for the Hurricanes as he has 20 power play points with 6 goals and 14 assists. This much-needed change to what was a struggling power play helped give it a boost.

His penalty minutes, regardless of what happens with the season will not drop by 20. Svechnikov currently sits at 54 penalty minutes compared to 62 last year. The Hurricanes seemed like a less disciplined team this season and Svechnikov didn’t improve in this category at all. He needs to be more disciplined going forward.