The Carolina Hurricanes have extended restricted free agent forward Andrei Svechnikov for the next several seasons. The 21-year old’s new deal is for eight years at $7.75M per year. The team announced the extension this Thursday.
Svech happened 👊https://t.co/86OsyUONp0
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) August 26, 2021
Andrei Svechnikov Extended By Hurricanes
Svechnikov was one of the NHL’s most dynamic young talents in 2020-21. The 6’2′ wing posted 15 goals and 42 points in 55 games to finish tied for third amongst all ‘Canes skaters in total scoring. He also posted 114 hits as a quality two-way option. Some may want to see a Corsi For and relative Corsi better than 54.8 percent and 1.6, respectively, but it was a quality third season for the Russian.
Carolina originally drafted Svechnikov second overall in the 2018 Draft behind Rasmus Dahlin. The Hurricanes look like they picked correctly as he leads all skaters from his class with 58 goals and 140 points in 205 games. The team can’t give Svechnikov as much playing time as he deserves with their depth. However, he is a core piece that will help lead the team to many postseason births for as long as he is with the franchise.
What This Means
Go ahead and pencil Svechnikov into a top role for 2021-22. There is little reason to expect him to be anywhere but the first line next to Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Great things will be expected from the young skater in the next season.
Carolina has very little left to settle before the coming year begins. All of their key free agents are re-signed and there are very few gaps on the roster. What you see on their current depth chart is likely what you will get on opening night unless they decide to use some of their remaining cap space. One possible move is signing one more veteran goaltender. Alex Lyon is probably third for that position, but they could add another body if he struggles in camp.
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