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About Last Season: Teuvo Teravainen Performance Review and Grade

After winning a Stanley Cup in Chicago, Teravainen reached new career highs in his first year in Raleigh. But was it enough?

Jamie Kellner

Teuvo Teravainen: 2016-17 By the Numbers

  • Age: 22
  • NHL Seasons: 3
  • Games Played: 81
  • Scoring: 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points
  • Ice Time per Game: 16:14 in all situations, 13:59 ES, 2:14 PP, 0:01 PK
  • 5-on-5 Stats: 55.33% CF, 48.05% GF
  • Contract Status: Completed final year of entry level contact; pending RFA.

Making the Grade

Last summer Ron Francis made his second big trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to bring in forwards Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen. At only 21 years old, Teravainen, the Blackhawks’ first-round pick in 2012, was the key acquisition of the summer for the Canes. Entering his final year of his entry level contract, there was little risk and a potentially high reward for Francis in making the deal. Teravainen delivered and set new career highs across the board. But did he meet expectations?

Teravainen saw time on numerous lines and played a good amount on the power play throughout the season. He played both center and wing, although he only won 46% of his faceoffs, while scoring 42 points, good for sixth place in Hurricanes scoring. Setting career highs in both assists and goals, Teravainen shined away from the spotlight in Chicago. His five power play goals ranked third on the team, and he played a vital role in helping fellow Finn Sebastian Aho grow during the season by Aho’s own admission. Teravainen and Aho became good friends and drove each other during the year.

The most comfortable fit for Teravainen this season was on the wing, usually when paired with a big body like Jordan Staal. He possess a sneaky good wrist shot and his skill as a passer is underrated as well. For a former first round draft pick, he is still finding his overall game but it is exciting to see.

Going forward the Hurricanes would love to get Teravainen signed to a team friendly contract to see if he can continue to grow. As a restricted free agent, the Canes could sign him to a bridge deal, or could go the route of players like Victor Rask, Rickard Rakell and Vincent Trocheck who gave up arbitration rights and a year or two of unrestricted free agency in signing a longer-term deal. The club sees Teravainen as an integral part of the future, and with the right linemates it is not unreasonable to think Teravainen could be a 50-point producer every year.


Exit Interview


Poll

How do you grade Teuvo Teravainen’s 2016-17 season?

This poll is closed

  • 2%
    A - significantly outperformed expectations
    (7 votes)
  • 22%
    B - outperformed expectations
    (65 votes)
  • 59%
    C - met expectations
    (176 votes)
  • 15%
    D - underperformed expectations
    (46 votes)
  • 0%
    F - significantly underperformed expectations
    (0 votes)
294 votes total Vote Now