Wrapping Up 2023 In Raleighwood
Lots of Hurricanes news to wrap up 2023 and start 2024 in Carolina. This edition features Jack Drury, Sebastian Aho, and more!
Welcome to the THW Carolina Hurricanes Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Canes writers.
In today’s edition, we have Hurricanes’ Jack Drury having a huge December, Sebastian Aho just keeps proving he’s a superstar, why the Hurricanes need to play playoff hockey now, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Hurricanes Getting a Productive December From Drury
December 23, 2023 by Tommy Bennett
No matter what the team, depth is important. Oftentimes times, depth players get overlooked due to the high impact of the bigger dogs on the roster. For the Carolina Hurricanes, the big guys have shined the brightest.
On any given night, you can count on Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Terravainen, and Seth Jarvis to come through. They’ve been the team’s best players this season and play tough minutes each night. The Hurricanes have gotten good production from numerous players this season; one player deserves recognition for his recent play.
Fourth-line players do not always get the praise they deserve. Typically, they play fewer minutes but serve their purpose on any given roster. December has been a great month for Jack Drury, who has come into his own with his play as of late.
3 Hurricanes Things to Watch For After the Break
December 26, 2023 by Tommy Bennett
The most wonderful time of the year has come and gone within the blink of an eye. The presents have been opened, the cookies have been eaten, and the egg nog was delightful. Time with the family is always great but now it is time to get back to hockey.
The Carolina Hurricanes currently sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division, which is closer than some may think. Every game matters and every point is important, as the team looks to make a climb up the standings. With a few days off to hit the reset button, they will look to come out hot and with a sense of urgency. Here are three things to look for when the team resumes action.
Importance of Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho Getting 500th Point
December 28, 2023 by Zach Martin
It’s the last week of 2023 and coming out of the Christmas Break, the Carolina Hurricanes are looking to finish the year on a high note. Before the break, there was uncertainty after they lost 5-4 to the New York Islanders on Dec. 23. Their first game back from the break was against the Nashville Predators on the road at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 27.
Right from the start, the Hurricanes did not want to lose. After a milestone night from Sebastian Aho when he claimed his 500th NHL point, Carolina ended up winning 5-2 to claim their 18th win of the 2023-24 season. What does the milestone moment mean for him and the Hurricanes?
Sebastian Aho Should Be on Shortlist for NHL Awards in 2023-24
December 29, 2023 by Zach Martin
When it comes to the Carolina Hurricanes, they just seem to be inevitably brought up, and rightfully so. They once again finished their last home game of a calendar year versus the Montreal Canadiens. Over the last three seasons dating back to the 2021-22 campaign, the Canadiens come to town for the last home game to face the Hurricanes. Plus as always, Carolina comes out on top as the victors once again. Last night on Thursday, Dec. 28, the Hurricanes beat the Canadiens in a 5-2 game that saw a Andrei Svechnikov hat trick. Jesper Fast was also on hat trick watch with two goals of his own.
However, there was one guy who needed to be brought up despite not scoring any goals in the game. Although, he did tally four assists after getting four points in the previous game versus the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, Dec. 27. If one did the math, that is eight points in the last two games combined. Take a bow Sebastian Aho.
Hurricanes Will Ride a 3-Game Win Streak Into the New Year
December 31, 2023 by Zach Martin
It is officially New Year’s Eve, meaning that the calendar year of 2023 is coming to a close. Over the past year, there were some ups and downs for the Carolina Hurricanes. Some bright spots hosted the Stadium Series at Carter-Findlay Stadium on Saturday, February 18th, winning their third-straight division title and making a run to the Eastern Conference Final. The downside was losing in the Eastern Conference Final and struggling to start the 2023-24 season. However, the Hurricanes did finish off 2023 on a high note.
Hurricanes Need to Start Playing Playoff Hockey Now
January 1, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
What a season it has been so far. It has been chaotic but also exciting, especially in the Metropolitan Division, which was competitive from opening night and has been a close race up until this point. Also, the margin for errors is small.
The New York Rangers currently hold first place in the division and have built a sizable cushion. The Carolina Hurricanes are second, but the point difference between second and sixth is six points. Also, in fourth place are the New York Islanders, who are one point back of the Hurricanes. This is a good thing, as there is no complacency, and teams will be fighting until the bitter end. That means that the Hurricanes will be playing playoff-style hockey until the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, and going off last season, that is not a bad thing.
Sebastian Aho’s Stellar Play Earns Him 1st Star of the Week
January 2, 2024 by Collin Madewell
At some point during the Holiday break, Sebastian Aho walked past an open flame and absorbed its power. Since then, the Carolina Hurricanes’ centerman has tallied 11 points in three games against the Nashville Predators (Dec. 17), Montreal Canadiens (Dec. 28), and Toronto Maple Leafs (Dec. 30), and the NHL just named him their First Star of the Week.
Aho was asked after the Maple Leafs game if he was conscious of this moment. “Yeah, definitely the best stretch in three games,” he said in the post-game press scrum. “Especially in my NHL career.” In those three games, his playmaking ability took center stage – of the Hurricanes’ 13 goals last week, he factored in on 11 of them.