Writers Roundtable: The First "Half"

RALEIGH, NC. -Already with 51 out of 82 games down this season, the Canes are rolling right from the league's All-Star weekend into their bye week.
With a big second half on deck, including Cam Ward Hall of Fame Night, the team's first-ever outdoor game, and hopefully an exciting playoff run, team writers Scott Burnside and Walt Ruff put together their thoughts on the 25th anniversary season so far.

Scott Burnside: Where did half of a season go already? You don't have to answer that. It's rhetorical. But you do need to answer this one. What is your main takeaway from the first half of the season? The Hurricanes are in first place in the Metropolitan Division and own the second-highest point total in the NHL. Their defining statistics, goals scored, special teams, and things like that, may not be as gaudy as they were a year ago but I think this team is actually stronger than last year's squad that fell in Game 7 of the second round. Do you buy that line of thinking? I talked to a GM recently who believes a Stanley Cup is inevitable in Raleigh. This year? That's part of the fun waiting to see just how things unfold but, assuming good health, I think this is a team that has the capability to go on a long run come the spring. Overall thoughts on what you've seen from this team in the first half?
Walt Ruff:I can't help but think of the hours between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on July 13 - the first day of NHL's free agency this past summer. Vincent Trocheck signed in New York, Tony DeAngelo had been traded to Philadelphia in the days prior and the Canes then appeared to have lost out on the Mason Marchment sweepstakes. The sky was falling. The run was over. Look where they are now. While the acquisition of Max Pacioretty, unfortunately, did not turn out to be as fruitful as the team had hoped due to a pair of unbelievably bizarre events, I think the fact that the team is where it is speaks volumes. Factor in the goaltending injuries that have transpired as well, it's all pretty amazing.
Scott Burnside: I recall a conversation with Martin Necas in training camp during which he was very candid about a disappointing 2021-22 season. He signed a new deal in spite of trade rumors and if there was a Comeback Player of the Year Award in the NHL, he would be on the short list of finalists in my opinion. But it's not just the offensive part of Necas's game (although his career-high 47 points are a pleasant surprise), but his all-around game that has been so impressive to me. I've loved his work on the penalty kill and his commitment to being a 200-foot player. First, are you surprised by what you're seeing from Necas? And are there parts of his game that have been particularly impressive to you?
Walt Ruff:I totally agree, Scott. His play has been one of the defining factors thus far. I know Rod Brind'Amour says that last year was the more surprising season, but personally, I am surprised by this year. The void that the team expected to get in the goal-scoring department from Pacioretty had to be picked up by somebody and thankfully Necas has reached new heights. It makes you wonder how a player can go from struggling as he did last year, to looking like a legitimate weapon this year. He's spoken a lot about the mental side to his game and the confidence, and for his sake, I'm glad it's all come together. What's particularly impressed me is his ability to win timely faceoffs. One of the big storylines in training camp was whether he would get a shot at center after expressing a desire during his 2021-22 exit interview. And while he's not responsible for the middle of the ice at all times, there've been about 10 faceoffs this year where he's won the offensive zone draw for Carolina and within 10 seconds it's in the back of the net. Don't get me wrong, I know his percentages in all three zones are likely not where he'd want them to be, but there's always room for growth. Plus, this could be just the start of something we see more of in the years to come.

Walt Ruff: Scott, I want to throw one back at you now. We know an important factor of the playoffs is players getting hot at the right time. But we've got a way to go before we get there, and with how tight the Metropolitan Division is, there's no bandwidth to be looking that far ahead. Is there one player on the Canes that you might have an eye on for a big second half of the regular season?

Scott Burnside: Walt, that is a great question. I think it's fair to say the first half of the season didn't unfold the way that Teuvo Teravainen or anyone who has observed Teravainen's impact on this team the past few years, expected. There was an injury. There was a realignment of the team's forward combinations and power play units. But I think in recent days we have started to see the familiar Teravainen re-emerge. His confidence with the puck and the quick reads of offensive situations appear to be on the uptick. To me, Teravainen remains one of the underappreciated passers in the game and he has an absolutely wicked shot. His playoff numbers - 32 points in 48 postseason games as a Hurricane - reinforce what a critical part of the team's Stanley Cup puzzle Teravainen represents. So I would expect a strong second half leading into the playoffs in mid-April from the quiet Finn.
Scott Burnside: One thing that hasn't changed for the Hurricanes is how they play and that means lots of shots on goal. Lots. As in they rank just a smidgen out of first place in shots per game in the league. They have three players, Necas, Andrei Svechnikov, and newcomer Brent Burns, who have logged more than 150 shots on goal at this writing. That's my segue to ask about Burns. I'm confident he's headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame when all is said and done and even though the power play isn't humming as efficiently as the coaching staff would like I love how he gets pucks to the net. Plus, there's no question his experience should pay dividends come playoff time. Everyone knew he was going to partner up with Jaccob Slavin but I'm a bit surprised at how seamlessly that partnership seems to have come together. When you think of Burns and his impact on this team what comes to mind for you Walt?
Walt Ruff:Make no mistake, there was an adjustment period for Burns out of the gate. And that's totally natural, coming to a new organization after playing in one place and being used to a certain set of systems for so many years. His overtime winner in Philadelphia at the end of October was a big moment, and his infectious attitude I think has been wonderful for the locker room. He said at the start of the year that he feels like a rookie because he's in a new place and he certainly does seem like a kid having fun playing the game again this year. I think his second half is only going to be a continuation of the gradual climb that his game has gotten to. Going into the break with a seven-game point streak certainly suggests that, too.

Scott Burnside: Okay, lots of fun stuff coming up including the team's first outdoor game at Carter-Finley Stadium across the parking lot from PNC Arena. And just before the big outdoor show, there's the team's inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony featuring inductee Cam Ward. I've spent some time with Cam and have spoken to many of his teammates for a piece that will run shortly before the event (look at me plugging my own work) but it's going to be a memorable month of February for this team. What are you looking forward to most for the outdoor game? I'm lucky, I've covered a bunch of them including the first Winter Classic in Buffalo, an outdoor game at the Big House in Michigan, and a fabulous outdoor game at Dodger Stadium. I know in all the markets where those games are held it makes an indelible impression and no doubt the same will be felt in Raleigh.
Walt Ruff: I'm excited to feel the environment of 55,000 people supporting this team. It is deafening loud at PNC Arena, how will triple that feel? The staff of the team has put in a ton of work to ensure that this is special, so I can't wait for all of their hard work to come to fruition. Plus, we know that the opportunity to host this event only comes once every few years if you're lucky. Who knows where you and I will be if another ever comes to North Carolina. So with that being said, likely everyone else, I'm eager just to feel this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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