Just six years ago hockey fans around Carolina couldn’t see the bright future their franchise was destined for. Some long-suffering Caniacs hoped for future success but knew it was unlikely. Many words have been written and spoken about the Carolina Hurricanes’ revitalization under owner Tom Dundon, general manager Don Waddell, and head coach Rod Brind’Amour. I don’t think I need to add to it. But many discussions around the team’s journey miss the individual achievements players have collected on the way to the team’s long-term success.
Sebastion Aho’s goal in the second period of Game Four on Sunday afternoon didn’t just provide back-breaking pressure to the New York Islanders. It also made franchise history. The goal was the 20th post-season goal of Aho’s NHL career. One more than former captain Eric Staal’s 19-goal record.
It’s not the first time Aho has etched his name into the franchise’s record books. During the regular season, Sebastion tied the record for shorthanded goals in franchise history. His more than five hundred-game tenure with the team has given him the opportunity to score the second most goals, third most assists, and third most points for the franchise.
I could write a five hundred-word article on just the franchise records Sebastion has broken or is close to breaking. Aho is only one of two NHL players to hold his current franchise’s record for playoff goals, assists (30), and points (50). I’m not joking when I say I could do this for a while. But that’s not the point. Sebastian isn’t the only member on his team creating a lasting legacy in Carolina. Both Aho and his captain Jordan Staal have yet to miss a playoff game during the team’s current five-season playoff streak. Both men have played fifty-one games and are tied for fifth place for postseason games played.
Staal and Sebastion represent half of Carolina’s current core with a chance to earn their way into franchise history. Jordan, Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jaccob Slavin are all in the top ten for postseason games played, assists, and points. Andrei Svechnikov swaps places with Slavin for postseason goals. Svechnikov is also the only franchise member to ever record a three-goal performance in the playoffs.
It’s not a guarantee that all four members of this group will play in Raleigh after next season. Jordan Staal is near the end of his career and is expected to sign short-term contracts until he decides to hang up his skates. The jury is still out on whether or not Carolina’s management will want to pay the high-value Teravaninen will call for on the open market. If Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is to be believed, the team will have no problem retaining Sebastion Aho and Jaccob Slavin when their current contracts end.
Here’s the point. If Dundon is right and Aho and Slavin both sign long-term deals to stay in Raleigh they will each have a high chance of standing as the best players in their position for this franchise. Aho is nipping at the heels of Eric Staal and current head coach Rod Brind’Amour in multiple categories. At this point, the only thing holding Slavin back from the title is the length of his career and maybe a trophy.
As we approach an uncertain end to the season, Hurricanes fans around the world should count themselves lucky to watch Staal, Aho, and Slavin play. Fifteen years from now these guys will be spoken about in the same way that we talk about Ron Francis, Glen Wesley, and Rod Brind’Amour today. Teravainen will surely be inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Svechnikov is just getting started while the ink dries on his eight-year deal.
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