The Carolina Hurricanes are Buzzing: News and Updates

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Frederik Andersen #31 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi #82 of the Carolina Hurricanes react following their 6-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena on March 05, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Frederik Andersen #31 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi #82 of the Carolina Hurricanes react following their 6-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena on March 05, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes are on fire this 22-23 NHL season, and they look like a serious contender for the Stanley Cup. With a record of 41-12-8 (90 points), they sit at the top of the NHL Metropolitan Division, and their recent win against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a score of 6-0 only solidifies their position as a dangerous team to beat.

The Hurricanes have made some great additions to their team, especially with Shayne Gostisbehere, the Ice hockey defenseman who has proven to be an asset to their powerplay. Gostisbehere’s ability to move the puck and make smart plays has helped the Hurricanes improve their powerplay efficiency. Additionally, Jesse Puljujärvi, the Finnish ice hockey player, is set to improve the depth of the team with his strong physical play and offensive capabilities.

When it comes to goaltending, the Hurricanes have a solid duo in Frederick Andersen and Anti Raanta. Both goaltenders have a save percentage above .900, and they have been reliable in net, making some key saves when it matters most.

Martin Necas leads the team in points with 59, while Sebastian Aho has the most goals with 27. Brent Burns has the highest number of assists with 38, and Andrei Svechnikov leads the team in penalty minutes with 67. Jalen Chatfield has the highest plus/minus rating of 22 among Hurricanes players.

The Hurricanes have proven themselves to be a dangerous team this season, and with their recent performances, it’s hard to bet against them. They have the talent, depth, and chemistry to make a deep playoff run and contend for the Stanley Cup. As they gear up for their next game against the Montreal Canadiens, fans are excited to see what the Hurricanes have in store.

Hurricanes Roster Stats Deep Dive

The Carolina Hurricanes have a strong roster with talented players in all positions. Here’s a detailed analysis of each player and their potential for improvement:

Goaltenders 

Frederik Andersen (G): The 33-year-old Danish goaltender has been one of the Hurricanes’ most valuable players this season, with a 16-6-0 record and a 2.35 goals-against average. Andersen is a seasoned veteran who brings a wealth of experience to the team, and his performance has been solid so far. He’s been consistent in his play and has kept the team in many close games. However, he has a history of injuries, and his ability to stay healthy will be critical to the team’s success.Antti Raanta (G): Raanta is a solid backup goaltender who has played well when called upon. He has good positioning and is a strong technical goaltender who can make tough saves. Raanta’s biggest challenge has been staying healthy, as he has dealt with injuries throughout his career. If he can stay healthy, he will continue to be a reliable backup for the Hurricanes.Defenders Brent Burns (D): The 37-year-old Canadian defenseman is a seasoned veteran who has been one of the best defensemen in the league for many years. This season, he has 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points, and his offensive production has been a big part of the Hurricanes’ success.Burns is an excellent skater who can move the puck quickly up the ice and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He’s also a strong defender who can shut down opponents and clear the zone effectively.Jalen Chatfield (D): The 26-year-old American defenseman has played in 62 games this season, with five goals and seven assists for 12 points. Chatfield is a solid defenseman who can play both ends of the ice effectively.He’s a good skater who can move the puck quickly and make smart decisions under pressure. However, he needs more experience and playing time to develop his game further.Dylan Coghlan (D): The 24-year-old Canadian defenseman has played in 16 games this season, with no goals and three assists for three points. Coghlan is a young player who has shown promise in his limited playing time.He’s a good skater who can move the puck well and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, he needs more experience and playing time to develop his game further.Calvin de Haan (D): The 31-year-old Canadian defenseman has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 50 games this season. De Haan is a solid defenseman who can play a physical game and clear the zone effectively.He’s also a good skater who can move the puck quickly up the ice and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, he’s struggled with injuries in the past, and his ability to stay healthy will be critical to the team’s success.Shayne Gostisbehere (D): The 29-year-old American defenseman has two goals and two assists for four points in the two 2 games this season for Carolina. Gostisbehere is a good puck-moving defenseman who has a solid offensive skill set and can contribute on the power play. However, he has struggled with consistency and defensive lapses throughout his career.Despite his offensive abilities, Gostisbehere’s defensive play can be a liability at times, leading to him being a healthy scratch at various points in his career. That being said, he can be a valuable asset to a team when he’s playing at his best, and his offensive contributions can help make up for his defensive shortcomings.Brett Pesce (D): Pesce is a solid defensive defenseman who excels at shutting down opposing forwards. The defenseman has 4 goals and 20 assists for 24 points in 62 games this season. He has good size and strength and is a good skater, which allows him to keep up with speedy forwards.He also has a good first pass out of the zone and can chip in offensively with his accurate shot. Pesce’s biggest area for improvement is in his offensive game, as he has shown the ability to contribute more in the past.Brady Skjei (D): Skjei is a mobile defenseman who can contribute offensively and defensively. The defenseman has 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 61 games this season. He has good size and strength and can play a physical game, but he also has good skating ability and can join the rush.Skjei’s biggest area for improvement is in his defensive game, as he can sometimes be caught out of position. If he can improve his defensive play, he could be a top-four defenseman for the Hurricanes.Jaccob Slavin (D): Slavin is a top-pairing defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice.The defenseman has 4 goals and 15 assists for 16 points in 56 games this season He is a great skater and has good size and strength, which allows him to shut down opposing forwards. He also has good offensive instincts and can contribute offensively with his accurate shot and strong puck-moving abilities. Slavin is one of the Hurricanes’ most important players, and his continued success will be key to the team’s success.
Left Wingers
Andrei Svechnikov (LW): The 21-year-old Russian right winger was drafted second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018. He has quickly become one of the team’s top players, with 22 goals, 32 assist, and 27 points in 62 games this season.Teuvo Teravainen (LW): The 27-year-old Finnish left winger is a skilled playmaker who has been an important part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ offense in recent years. He has 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points in 52 games this season.Jordan Martinook (LW): The 29-year-old Canadian center is known for his energy and physical play. He has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 62  games this season for the Carolina Hurricanes.Stefan Noesen (LW): The 28-year-old American right winger has bounced around the league in recent years, playing for five different teams since 2018.  He currently has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 59 games this season for the Carolina Hurricanes. CentersSebastian Aho (C): The 25-year-old Finnish forward is the Hurricanes’ top scorer, with 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points. Aho is a talented playmaker who can create scoring opportunities for his teammates while also contributing on the score sheet himself. He has a great shot and is a skilled skater who can move quickly and easily around the ice.Aho has already established himself as one of the best players on the team, and it’s unlikely that he’ll see any significant improvement in his game.Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C): The 21-year-old Finnish center was drafted third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2018. He has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency in his young career, however is finding his footing mid season with posting 12 goals, 18 assist and 30 points in 62 games this season.Jordan Staal (C): Staal is the Hurricanes’ captain and a veteran leader on the team. He is a great defensive forward who excels on the penalty kill, but he can also contribute offensively with his strong shot and ability to create scoring chances.  He currently has 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 61 games this season for the Carolina Hurricanes.Staal’s biggest area for improvement is in his offensive consistency, as he can sometimes go through stretches where he struggles to score. However, he is still a valuable player for the Hurricanes and a key contributor to their success.Paul Stastny (C): Stastny is a veteran forward who brings a lot of experience and leadership to the Hurricanes. He is a versatile player who can play in all situations and can contribute offensively with his strong passing ability and hockey sense. He currently has 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 61 games this season for the Carolina Hurricanes.Stastny’s biggest challenge will be staying healthy, as he has dealt with injuries in the past. If he can stay on the ice, he will be a valuable asset for the Hurricanes. Right WingersSeth Jarvis (RW): In his debut season in the NHL, the 20-year-old has already made an impact, scoring 13 goals and adding 19 assists for 32 points in 62 games. Jarvis has also shown a knack for scoring important goals, with a game-winning goal and an overtime goal to his name. Jarvis’ skills on the ice are evident in his ability to create plays, make crisp passes, and put the puck in the back of the net. He possesses a great shot, quick hands, and excellent hockey IQ, making him an asset to the Hurricanes’ offense.Martin Necas (RW): The 22-year-old Czech center was drafted 12th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017. He has been a key part of the team’s offense this season, with 25 goals, 34 assist, and 59 points in 62 games.Jesper Fast (RW): The 31-year-old Swedish forward has seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 60 games this season. Fast is a skilled playmaker who can create scoring opportunities for his teammates with his passing ability. He’s also a good skater who can move quickly and effectively around the ice. However, he’s struggled with consistency this season, and his performance has been up and down.Derek Stepan (RW): Stepan is a veteran forward who can play in all situations and contribute offensively and defensively. He is a strong skater and has good hockey sense, which allows him to make smart plays with the puck. Stepan’s biggest area for improvement is in his offensive production, as he has struggled to score in recent years. However, he is still a valuable player for the Hurricanes and a key contributor to their success.Jesse Puljujarvi (RW): Puljujarvi is a big forward who has a lot of skill and potential. He has a great shot and can create scoring chances for himself and his line mates. He also has good speed and can play a physical game when necessary. Puljujarvi’s biggest challenge has been adjusting to the North American game after spending time in Europe, but he has shown flashes of his potential and could be a key contributor for the Hurricanes in the future.Side Note:Jesse Puljujarvi has been solid for the Edmonton Oilers, tallying 5 goals, 9 assists, and 14 points in 58 games played. However, with the transition to the Carolina Hurricanes, he could potentially find himself playing on the fourth line.Currently, Derek Stepan is holding down the right wing position on the fourth line for the Hurricanes with 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points in 56 games played. If Puljujarvi finds his footing, with his strong play, he could certainly challenge for that spot and provide the Hurricanes with some additional scoring depth.