Two days after the Carolina Hurricanes departed the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of the Florida Panthers Teuvo Teräväinen spoke to the assembled media in Raleigh for that season's exit interviews. These interviews are the final chance for players to give their perspectives on the season that was and preview what they hope to accomplish in the off-season to help themselves improve for the season to come. Normally these press scrums last anywhere from five to fifteen minutes. Teräväinen's only lasted forty-six seconds.
Local sports editor Cory Lavalette asked if this was a "tough season" for the aging Finnish winger. Even just watching the video back you can feel the sober emotions in the room. In sixty-eight games, Träväinen's regular season stat line can only be described as underwhelming. "I feel like nothing really went my way," Teräväinen said. "I'm trying not to think about it too much and get ready for next season."
Less than a month away from the start of the Carolina Hurricanes' regular season it feels like a good time to circle back to the finish connection. Sebastion Aho appeared on the Canes Corner podcast with Adam Gold late last month. "He's not happy with how it went down," Aho said about Teräväinen's season. "He has a great mindset coming into this year. I think he's in good shape. He's a gamer. I don't think there's any doubt in his mind that he'll be good this year. We all know what he can bring to the table for the team when he gets going."
Without using a crystal ball we don't know if Teräväinen has been able to move past his mental and physical challenges from last season. We have only seen glimpses of him taking part in captain's skates as he and his fellow teammates arrive in Raleigh before the official start of training camp later this month.
However, without real evidence, every part of me wants to side with Sebastion Aho's opinion of what Teräväinen will do. Professional athletes are some of the most competitive people in the world. It's a requirement to play at this level in any game. In my mind, there is no way Teuvo hasn't been fueling his off-season training with the emotions of disappointment that he felt in that exit interview. He's also entering the final season of his current contract. Teräväinen would not be the first player to play at a higher level when future contracts were on the line.
Nothing is guaranteed. Teuvo Teräväinen could prove me wrong. But until he does you'll find me cheering him on.
I was surprised to see Teuvo at the Canes 5K this morning. He seemed calm and happy and he was really tanned. I hope he had a good offseason and is ready to get back to work.