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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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Aug 15, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nino Niederreiter

I’m sure every single one of you reading this saw this name coming at the top of the list.

Nino Niederreiter probably had the biggest drop-off of any Carolina Hurricane in stats from the 2018-19 season to the 2019-20 season.

For most of last season, Nino looked ‘snakebit’; it seemed like he had himself in the right places at the right times, but just couldn’t quite capitalize and put the puck in the back of the net.

In 2018-19, Nino put up 23 goals (14 with the Carolina Hurricanes) and 30 assists (16 with the Carolina Hurricanes, for a total of 53 points in 82 games played (36 with the Canes).

That’s right, in Nino’s first 36 games as a Carolina Hurricane, he put up 30 points. This was an unreal pace, and Nino was a huge reason the Carolina Hurricanes ended up breaking a decade-long playoff drought that season.

In 2019-20, however, Nino registered just 11 goals and 18 assists for a total of 29 points in 67 games played.

This is by no means meant to say Nino is a bad hockey player, but that drop-off in point production was massive. Nino still has every chance to rebound and get back to putting up serious points, especially if given ice-time on a line with other playmakers and goal-scorers.

The Carolina Hurricanes are sure to have a solid season if these guys even stay on the same trajectory as last season. I believe they all will rebound and get back to performing the way we know they can. This new Central Division won’t be quite as much of a dogfight as the Metropolitan Division is; if you ask me, there is no better time or opportunity for these guys to reawaken and reclaim their respective games.

Next. 3 Potential 1st Round '21 Entry Draft Targets. dark

Question for CC Readers: Do you think any of these players will rebound, or do you think they’ll continue on their current trajectories?

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