RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes’ season is just two games old, heading into Friday’s game against Pittsburgh, so there’s not a whole to say so far. So why don’t I say just a little? Here’s one word for each player who has suited up for Carolina so far, from the aging veterans and in-their-prime stars to the grinders and a fresh-faced rookie.
Sebastian Aho: Unconcerned
Through two games, Aho hasn’t been much of a factor. His only point was an empty-net goal at the end of the win over the Devils, and he’s the focal point of a power play that has managed just two shots on goal in 7:40 of man-advantage time. Is it too early to worry? “I’m not worried about him, coach Rod Brind’Amour said after Tuesday’s win. “Ever.”
Frederik Andersen: Simmering
Don’t confuse Frederik Andersen’s stoicism with a lack of intensity. This week wasn’t the first time Andersen snapped his goal stick in half during practice. Andersen rarely shows emotion on the ice, but he has a competitive fire that’s usually unseen. It will be interesting to see how he handles the goalie competition.
Jackson Blake: Diligent
Bradly Nadeau had the inside track to be the rookie who made the Hurricanes out of training camp, but instead, it was Blake who grabbed a spot. His high-energy play and top-end skill are already paying off: His first career goal, on a deflection of a Dmitry Orlov shot, wound up as the game-winner against the Devils. It won’t be the last.
Brent Burns: Hourglass
It’s a bit ironic that Mick Jagger sang “Time Waits For No One” — 50 years after the song’s release, the Rolling Stones and their frontman are still performing. I already illustrated how there was some cause for concern based on Burns’ play last season, and the big 4-0 is less than five months away for the league’s third-oldest player. Burns is in the last year of his contract — is there enough left in the tank for him to be a top-pairing defenseman for one more year?
William Carrier: Horse
Andrei Svechnikov may be sculpted like a Greek god, but Carrier isn’t some pile of rubble. Less of a Hercules and more of a gladiator, the veteran grinder has been a perfect fit on Jordan Staal’s wing in place of the injured Jesper Fast. Carolina’s style suits Carrier, and a career year seems possible — if his armor keeps him healthy.
Jalen Chatfield and Dmitry Orlov: Adjusting
We might as well lump these two together. Chatfield and Orlov dominated as a third pairing last year, which has led to more responsibility. After taking nearly 61 percent of their faceoffs in the offensive zone last season, Orlov-Chatfield is instead taking on a more defensive role. Through two games, 41.67 percent of their faceoff starts are in the offensive zone. The unsheltered minutes and tougher competition have them on the wrong side of 50 percent in possession, scoring chance and high-danger shares in the first two games.
Jack Drury: Overlooked
Flanked by two newcomers — Blake and Eric Robinson — Drury isn’t getting much ink. Despite having middling underlying numbers, his line has held its own, though the real challenge will come during Carolina’s six-game road trip when the team doesn’t have final change. If Drury can keep winning 73.3 percent of his faceoffs, that will help.
Shayne Gostisbehere: Familiar
It hasn’t taken Gostisbehere long to settle back in with the Hurricanes. He has a team-best nine shots on goal through two games and has already scored. New defensemen have often needed time to adjust to Carolina’s defensive systems and aggressive forecheck, but Gostisbehere has an advantage: “Being here before definitely helps.”
Seth Jarvis: Unsatisfied
I’m not sure anyone was ever concerned that Jarvis’ bank account would affect his motor — during training camp, he was already (jokingly?) planning upgrades for his (ahem) modest Volkswagen Tiguan rather than upgrading to something more luxurious. That’s not exactly “Richie Rich” behavior. Anyway, Jarvis still looks like Jarvis, and that’s good news for the Hurricanes.
Pyotr Kochetkov: Unpredictable
Any Kochetkov start can seem like an adventure. Brind’Amour said Thursday that the young goalie is “a throwback.” “I think he goes by feel a lot … (like) some of the older goalies that used to just — you couldn’t pinpoint exactly how they made the saves, but they just figured it out.” Kochetkov likes using his stick as much as any goalie in the league — so much so that this seems necessary:
2024-25 Kochetkov Stick Drop Count: 1
(cc @RyanHenkel_)
— Cory Lavalette (@corylav) October 16, 2024
Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Promising
I think it’s agreed upon that Kotkaniemi will never be an 80-point player — the Hurricanes would probably settle for 50 — but there is early-season hope that he’s figured out how he can best help Carolina win. Kotkaniemi has been physical, and his puck battle win against two Devils that led to Gostisbehere’s goal against New Jersey is exactly what the Hurricanes need to see — “the second effort, just kind of sticking with it,” as Brind’Amour said.
Jordan Martinook: Elevated
Martinook is in his usual spot on Staal’s wing, but Teuvo Teravainen’s departure has him playing with Aho on the penalty kill. Two years ago, Martinook averaged more than two minutes of penalty-killing time per game, but that dipped to 1:12 last season. He’s poised to have more this year as he and Aho follow Staal and Jarvis as the first forwards over the boards when Carolina is down a man.
Martin Necas: Pivotal
It’s an undeniably big year for Necas, who desperately wants to be a star but hasn’t yet been consistent enough to earn that status. Plainly put, he needs to be better than he was in the first two games of the season. Necas is one of two players (along with Chatfield) without a shot on goal, and he is part of the top unit on the aforementioned struggling power play. He needs a big road trip.
Eric Robinson: Noticeable
Robinson is the type of player who makes scouts drool. He’s 6-foot-2, 212 pounds and can skate with just about anyone in the league. The early returns have been good. Robinson is creating chances and helping the fourth line be impactful. He’s a prime candidate to frustrate fans because he struggles to finish his chances, but his effort is unlikely to be questioned.
Jack Roslovic: Adapting
Roslovic got dealt a bit of a bad hand to start the season. After spending much of camp playing with Aho and Jarvis, Roslovic was put opposite Necas on Kotkaniemi’s line for opening night. He’s looked a bit out of sorts, but it’s hard to blame him when he’s with linemates with which he’s barely played.
Jaccob Slavin: Vanilla
Vanilla ice cream isn’t the favorite of many, but it’s always a reliable choice, just like Slavin. After years of being in the “most underrated” conversation, no one is sleeping on the veteran defenseman anymore. Still, he finds a way to make the complex look ordinary, and he does it without the fanfare he deserves.
Jordan Staal: Steady
Staal is right back where he always is: atop the puck possession charts and winning his usual 55 percent at the faceoff dot. Staal is the first to admit he doesn’t score as much — or work on it as much — as he should, but he knows what he’s good at, and even at 36 he’s still a dominant force.
Andrei Svechnikov: Untapped
He hasn’t yet scored, but Svechnikov has been Carolina’s most dangerous player through two games. According to NaturalStatTrick, Svechnikov has seven high-danger five-on-five scoring chances already this season — tied for 17th in the NHL despite every player above him not named Nikita Kucherov (nine iHDCFs in three games) having played at least twice as many games as him. Now, Svechnikov needs to start finishing those chances.
Sean Walker: Suited
Everyone — yours truly included — expected a learning curve for Walker in the first 40 games of his Hurricanes career. Instead, Walker has been the best fit in Raleigh since Tom Dundon found that script Whalers hat. Walker and Gostisbehere have feasted on opponents and could quickly push Orlov and Chatfield for more minutes. Walker’s 80.77 expected goal percentage is the best of any player in the NHL.
(Photo of Sebastian Aho: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
