Carolina Hurricanes: 2020 Training Camp Guide

Forward Momentum

The Carolina Hurricanes have a powerful offense

Keep an eye on these forwards to use training camp as a springboard for a career-defining playoff performance.

The Carolina Hurricanes completed the last ten games of the abbreviated regular season with a 5-4-1 record after following a four-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak. The point production in the last three games was bolstered by veteran Justin Williams and call up Morgan Geekie.

The elite SAT line (Svechnikov, Teravainen, Aho) accounted for only 9 goals out of 33 total in the last ten games.  While it is definitely a positive that the other lines stepped up and accounted for more goals, I think training camp gives the SAT line a chance to rediscover their dominant chemistry.

The last 10 games for the trio looked like this: Teravainen accounted for three goals and four assists, Aho combined for 10 points with five goals and five assists, and Svechnikov for a total of seven points with one goal and six assists.

The trend I would like to see in the playoffs is an increase in goal production from this line, predominately from Svechnikov. This line has made an enormous difference in the regular season, and I expect the same for the playoffs as training camp should provide the practice the line needs to prepare for the postseason.

I have gushed about Justin Williams since his return to the roster this year; not only because of what he means to the team as a leader but also because of how much his performance has been essential to the team the last few games of the season.

Williams’ remarks on a zoom call on the seventh should remind Caniacs of ethe opportunity that Carolina has next month in the playoffs. Williams not only said that “I came back for a chance to win a Stanley Cup”, but also that “we’re a Stanley Cup contender, and we know that”.

Williams accounted for eight points with six goals and two assists in ten games. In my opinion, he was the defining factor of the last three wins that the Canes were able to secure, one being against the difficult division rival the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Justin Williams comments’ tell me that he will be focused and ready to lead the team to a deep playoff run. We just don’t know if Williams will return next season, so expect the veteran to leave it all on the ice.

One last player I will be keeping an eye on is Vincent Trocheck. The former Florida Panther only accounted for one goal and one assist in seven games, so training camp will be a necessary time for him to further acclimate to the Hurricanes’ style of play in order to increase point production in the postseason.

Next up is the blueliners, and one name stands out as a question mark above the rest.

Defensemen

The Carolina Hurricanes have no shortage of defenders

The return of hockey means the return of Dougie Hamilton and the debut of Sami Vatanen.

The Canes find themselves in a very curious situation defensively, perhaps with no easy answer. Sami Vatanen was acquired at the tread deadline in a move meant to bolster the defense in the absence of Dougie Hamilton. An injury setback combined with the pandemic means that Vatanen has not played a single minute on the ice with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sara Civian for the Athletic (paywall) makes an excellent argument that it is unwise to spend money towards the cap on any of the defensive free agents, which include Sami Vatanen.

She also says in another article that “it would make just as much sense for both parties to move on from what will likely end up being an unfortunately failed experiment.” Unfortunately, it is hard to argue with this line of logic.

However, given that the playoffs are throwing a wrench in traditional plans for the franchise, it is possible that Vatanen may impress the organization in training camp and the postseason enough that they will produce a contract. Caniacs should keep a close eye on Sami Vatanen during training camp because it may either make or break his future with the organization.

Brady Skjei is also a question mark, albeit a smaller one. I was impressed with his brief time with the Hurricanes so far, and I think that like Trocheck training camp will be an important opportunity for Skjei to further acclimate to the team.

Jake Bean is a favorite topic among Caniacs, and for good reason. The Checkers defensemen continue to wow fans as he accumulated 48 points with the Checkers for the 2019-2020 season. I think it is high time that the Canes add Bean to the roster, as he might be vital to replace Trevor van Riemsdyk or Joel Edmundson if they are not signed. I except this training camp performance to be the final appearance of the young defenseman as a Checker before he debuts on the main roster.

For our final act, we have the hidden gems and dark horses of Training Camp.

Dark Horses and Hidden Gems

Who could the Carolina Hurricanes call upon in needed times?

Training camp should end with these players becoming a permanent staple on the main roster.

Ryan Suzuki should be on the main roster for the 2020-2021 season.  Although this may not be as much of a hot take as it used to be, Suzuki picked up 35 points in 23 games with the Saginaw Spirit and I think it’s past time for him to take his place in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Since he has been invited to Training Camp several years in a row now, Suzuki might be a quiet addition to the roster. As the Canes have struggled with scoring in several stretches during the regular season, I think Suzuki could give the roster a much-needed boost.

As a center, there are plenty of exciting line combinations that Brind’Amour could experiment with. A Necas – Suzuki – Niederreiter line piques my interest, as well as a line with our next dark horse, Morgan Geekie.

Morgan Geekie wowed the Caniac nation when he swept into temporarily replace an injured Ryan Dzingel and scored four points in two games, including two goals against division rivals Pittsburgh Penguins.

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I agree with Austin Isham that Brind’Amour may be hard-pressed to find a spot for Geekie in the lineup.  However, the interesting aspect of this particular training camp is that there could be changes made based on performance.

I will keep a close eye on Geekie because even if he does not have another crack at the main roster during the postseason, the regular season could give him a chance to wow once again.

Alex Nedeljkovic is also reportedly at training camp, and I think this could be a sign that he may get the call up sooner rather than later. As much as I value Reimer and Mrazek, Nedeljkovic may very well be the Canes netminder of the future.

Because Reimer and Mrazek are both locked in through the 2020-2021 season, I don’t expect to see Nedeljkovic in the playoffs or starting in the regular season.  However, his training camp performance could be essential to a position with the team, and perhaps a few starts in the regular season.

I am excited about training camp because of the potential changes we might see in the roster for the qualifying round against the Rangers. Even if there aren’t any changes made, some of the aforementioned players could cement their spot on the main roster. Caniacs, keep a close eye on training camp and prepare for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.