With the expectation that he'd be healthy to start the season, there were high hopes that Andrei Svechnikov would get back to normal. Entering the fourth year of his eight-year contract, he'd been a consistent 50-60-point player, but everyone hoped he'd start reaching another gear. Unfortunately, things didn't quite play out that way.
After knee surgery cost him the end of the 2022-23 season, Svechnikov had to wait until a few games into the 2023-24 season to get going. Injuries continued to be an issue for him, limiting him to 59 games, but there'd be no such issue for him starting last season on time. He was healthy and looking to be a reliable sniper in the team's lineup.
Last season: 20-28-48 in 72 games/8-4-12 in the playoffs
If you break down Svechnikov's season in waves, it's fine. However, those stretches when he wasn't scoring were long. He scored in 11 of the team's first 13 games (14 points) until he fell into a 12-game slump. There was a brief reprieve in December when he scored four points against Colorado and two goals against the Islanders, but it was, again, followed by 12 more without much.
Things appeared to be heading in the right direction when Svechnikov went on a five-game point streak in early January. It coincided with his placement on the Staal line as the captain got red-hot. Through the end of February, his season was looking good. He appeared on pace to fly past 20 goals again, with a chance to hit 50 points for the fourth straight season.
March was not kind to Svechnikov. Along with five games without a point, Svechnikov was injured in the team's win over Winnipeg after an offensive-zone collision with Jets captain Adam Lowry, forcing him to miss the next seven games. He returned with a goal against Montreal and reached 20 in the season finale. While 48 points felt disappointing, Svechnikov turned it on in the playoffs.
Scoring points in two of the first three games, Svechnikov extinguished the Devils in Game 4 with his second postseason hat trick. He led all skaters with five goals in the series. He scored three more times against Washington, including the series winner late in Game 5. All three of his points against the Panthers were assists. His 12 points were third on the team, with a team-high eight goals.
Bold Prediction: Svechnikov scores 40 goals in a healthy season
I refuse to give up hope that Andrei Svechnikov can be a 40-goal scorer in the NHL. 40 goals is a benchmark that has only been reached by two players in Hurricanes history, first by Jeff O'Neill and twice since by Eric Staal. Sebastian Aho was on his way to 40 goals before the pandemic. Now, I think Svechnikov will add his name to that list.
Of course, Svechnikov reaching this milestone is predicated on his staying healthy for a full 82-game season. The last time he came close to playing a full season, he scored 30 goals in 2021-22, the only time he's touched 30 in his career. Injuries are unpredictable, and you never hope to see someone on the shelf, but staying healthy is especially important for Svechnikov to be successful.
I'm optimistic that with the right linemates, this milestone is attainable. He's coming up on a few benchmarks himself, poised to hit 400 points and 500 games at some point this season. While he hasn't reached Jesperi Kotkaniemi-levels of scrutiny, Svechnikov is not without detractors. While I think the postseason stomped some of the doubters, a good season would do him wonders.