As the season moves on with a wild turn of road games, Andrei Svechnikov has yet to make his season debut. After a devastating injury to end his 2022-23 season, Svechnikov is close to returning to game action.
As usual, the management of this organization has made the right decision to take it slow with the return of Svechnikov. This group epitomizes the “no I in team” approach with the team style of play.
The temptation to see an offensive-impact player like the 23-year-old winger return, especially after a loss, has to be gnawing at Rod Brind’Amour and Don Waddell.
The first-time All-Star had a strong start to last season but hit a snag at the turn of the calendar year. Although a scoreless streak began the year, the Russian remained on pace for a career season.
The injury occurred just after the trade deadline and Svechnikov finished with 64 games played. The 23 goals and 32 assists were strong productions and kept him at the top of the Canes’ scoring stats for the remainder of the season.
A huge blow to the team’s Stanley Cup aspirations, the Hurricanes rallied and found a way to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Although it was never said, it is hard to believe that Svechnikov could not have made a difference in that series loss to the Florida Panthers.
Fast forward to this fall and the former 2nd overall draft choice in 2018 is skating and practicing hard.
The players and the coaching staff are feeling out-the-line combinations, although it is difficult having the potential to dress 7 defensemen on a given night.
Winning 2 out of the first 3 games has been a nice start for the Canes and scoring has not been a concern in any of the matches thus far. 14 goals in 3 games is just another reason to let Svechnikov ease his way back into game action.
After last year’s terrible injuries for Carolina, patience is easier said than done. The first month of the season will allow newcomers and returning players to gel together and move into the winter months.