Happy Holiday hockey fans and, of course, Carolina Hurricanes fans. Christmas is right around the corner and people are still looking for those last-minute gifts. All around The Hockey Writers, we have been creating “Wish Lists” for particular teams as they hope for a better second half to the season. To get into the holiday spirit and join the other writers in this festive series, here’s a look at the Hurricanes’ Wish List for 2023-24.
Andrei Svechnikov Stays Healthy
The Hurricanes once again dealing with not having forward Andrei Svechnikov in the lineup due to an upper-body injury. He was ruled out for the Dec. 7 game against the Calgary Flames after he was cross-checked in the ribs by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley on Dec. 4. He has missed the last three games with no timetable for his return (he’s listed as day-to-day.)
He missed the first three games of the season, recovering from knee surgery he had in March. He has 11 points in 16 games, tallying one goal so far. To be without Svechnikov again puts the Hurricanes in a tough spot. The roster sits with 22 of 23 players, but they have no extra forwards on the healthy scratch list.
Related: How the Hurricanes Can Weather Andrei Svechnikov’s Injury
Against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Hurricanes dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen, leaving Brendan Lemieux as a healthy scratch. While that might work for a couple of games, the team will not want to do that on a long-term basis moving forward.
Whatever the case may be, the Hurricanes will need to keep Svechnikov healthy after he returns, or they will be forced to make a move. The goal is to win the Stanley Cup and to achieve that goal, the team needs Svechnikov in the lineup.
Pyotr Kochetkov Keeps the Swagger
When speaking about one Russian, you cannot forget about the other one. Coming into the Senators game on Dec. 12, Pyotr Kochetkov was looking to bounce back from a rough two-game stretch in Western Canada. In two games, he took both losses and only played 5:46 against the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 6, allowing three goals on six shots before being pulled. However, during the Senators game, it seemed he had his swagger back.
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During a Senators penalty shot, captain Brady Tkachuk skated toward the Hurricanes’ net with his head down. Kochetkov, seeing the opportunity, came out of the net to surprise him and poke-checked the…
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