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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Players That Could Rebound in 2021

By Matthew Nidiffer

Feb 11, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) in action during the game between the Stars and the Hurricanes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) in action during the game between the Stars and the Hurricanes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) in action during the game between the Stars and the Hurricanes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) in action during the game between the Stars and the Hurricanes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Petr Mrazek

Okay, I already know what you’re saying. “Petr Mrazek was fine last season, he has nothing to rebound from!”

Typically, I’d agree with you, but I believe Mrazek has a whole other level of goaltender in him that he hasn’t quite accessed since his absolutely blistering run (“We’re in, we’re in!!! Yes!! Yes!!! WOOO!!”) leading up to the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Petr Mrazek’s stats from 2019-20 fell just a bit from his 2018-19 debut season with the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2018-19, Mrazek registered a .914% save percentage, 2.39 goals-against average, and sported a record of 23-14-3 in 40 games played. In 2019-20, Mrazek registered a .905% save percentage, 2.69 goals-against average, and his record was 21-16-2 in 40 games played (38 games started).

While this is by no means a massive drop-off in performance, Mrazek has shown us that he has the capability to be a more-than-capable starting goaltender who can provide better-than-league-average goaltending.

If Mrazek does, indeed, rebound and ends up finding that other level of elite goaltending, the Carolina Hurricanes are sure to be set for another deep playoff run.

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