Teravainen’s Future With Canes Uncertain
By Glenn Brewer
The 2022-23 season was one to forget for Carolina Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen. Aside from an unproductive season, Teravainen suffered an injury in the regular season and in the playoffs.
Showing his toughness, the former 1st round draft choice of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012 came back in the playoffs after missing the second round to play in all four Eastern Conference Finals matches against the Florida Panthers.
During the season things just never clicked for the 28-year-old. To get things going for the lines, Teravainen found himself playing minutes on the fourth line.
The Finnish forward’s effort can never be questioned and he contributes in all zones but if he is not producing points then he can’t be in the top six. Rod Brind’Amour saw this and adjusted throughout the season.
Playing in 68 games this season, Teravainen had 12 goals and 37 points.
Normally a 60+ point producer, Teravainen has been a great playmaker for the Canes and has been a big piece of the power play.
The Carolina power play struggled this season for long periods and it is not a coincidence that Teravainen had a poor season.
With younger players like Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis emerging, the future of the team seems to be heading in a different direction. Don Waddell has been dishing out multi-year contracts this offseason and with the young players due to be restricted free agents, not much money or space will be available for the left wing.
Currently, in the final year of his contract, Teravainen is making $5.4 million which is hardly the amount you should pay someone on the fourth line with 37 points.
The writing is on the wall for him to be pushed out after this year but if Teravainen has a big season, he will most likely price himself out of Carolina despite playing in Raleigh for the last 7 years.
Because he is responsible in every zone, he would be welcome with a lesser role after the completion of his final season but for a team-friendly deal.