One reason each NHL team should be excited for the 2018 season

Carolina Hurricanes – Sea Bass And Turbo

The Carolina Hurricanes have been toiling in mediocrity ever since their magical Stanley Cup run in 2005-06. If they don’t make the postseason in 2018-19, it will mark a full decade since their last playoff appearance. Their fanbase has been thirsty for some excitement. The Hurricanes top forward line duo of Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are prepared to deliver.

Carolina’s been looking for a true top forward line for a while now. They might finally have one.

Together, the Finnish duo were simply outstanding. In about 733 five-on-five minutes together, they were extremely effective. When Aho and Teravainen were on the ice together, the Hurricanes controlled 56.77 percent of the shot attempts, 54.7 percent of the unblocked shot attempts, 53.88 percent of the shots on goal, and 56.09 percent of the scoring chances. Moreover, they outscored their opponents 42-31.

Teravainen and Aho proved they were better off without Jordan Staal, so the Hurricanes will have to try to find a more effective member for the top line duo. Especially since the former can play center. Maybe young forward Valentin Zykov could be that guy. In a 10 game sample size, he did extremely well with Tervainen and Aho.

Aho is only 21 and Teravianen will be merely 24 once the season starts. They’re only going to get better from here on out. Carolina’s been looking for a true top forward line for a while now. They might finally have one.