Carolina Hurricanes: Who is Saku Maenalanen?
The Carolina Hurricanes announced that the team has signed forward Saku Maenalanen to a one-year, two-way contract. Who is the big Finnish forward and what does he bring to the table?
Not content with having some of the best players to ever compete at the World Championships, the Carolina Hurricanes retroactively added one more. Forward Saku Maenalanen played along with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen at the World Championships for Finland. He registered two goals and an assist in eight games with an astounding 33% shot rate. On Friday, the Hurricanes signed him to a one-year two-way deal.
“Saku is a big, strong winger who can really skate,” said Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell. “Our scouting staff has been tracking this player for a long time. He had options when it came to where he would start his NHL career, and we’re pleased he has chosen Carolina.”
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Maenalanen was drafted 125th overall in the fifth round by the Nashville Predators in the 2013 Draft. Since then he has remained in Finland playing for multiple teams but remaining mostly in Karpat. His last season has seen his stock really begin to rise. Maenalanen registered 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 59 games for Karpat in 17-18. That earned him the invite to Worlds.
So where does the big forward fit in with the Carolina Hurricanes? It’s fun to imagine him filling in with Aho and Teravainen, effectively creating the “Finnish” Line. Realistically, he will play in Charlotte first. If and when he gets the call up to Raleigh, chances are he will fill the role of a bottom-six forward. The ceiling on his progress is pretty high, however. Chances are that Maenalanen will develop well in the Hurricanes system that has quickly made Aho a star.
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The Carolina Hurricanes are ready to completely change up their roster and accept trade offers for anyone not named Aho. They have the second pick of the upcoming draft in hand, several Checkers players itching get back on NHL ice, and now Maenalanen signed. Next season’s roster will definitely be different.