Mailbag #47: Ending The Year On A High Note

RALEIGH, NC. -If you're a believer in carrying positive momentum into the new year, then you're feeling great about the Carolina Hurricanes right now.
Going into 2023 with a franchise record 10 consecutive wins and points in 16 straight games, the group's hard work has been paying off and their ascent up the league's standings has been spectacular.
Who would have thought that after a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Arizona Coyotes on the night before American Thanksgiving that we'd be here?
Let's close out the year with some questions.

(Please Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
You have to pick the team All-Star. Who do you choose? - @SusanMo56266341
Admittedly, I'm bad about thinking outside the box. I'm a very literal man and right now the choice is obvious.
Andrei Svechnikov.
Prior to the slate of games on December 31, his 19 goals have him ranked tied for 15th in the NHL. He's a young and blossoming star on a quality team that the league would be silly not to showcase.
He's also only one of just five players in the NHL this season to have multiple hat tricks, and, plus, the organization has to have a participant in the accuracy shooting to go for a three-peat, right?
Video: DAL@CAR: Svechnikov speeds by defender and scores
Outside of Svech, who do you think can also make a case to be named an All-Star this season? - @OneTrueZach
There are two guys that come to mind. Jaccob Slavin and Pyotr Kochetkov.
Unfortunately, as we know, everyone loves the glitz, glamour, and offensive statistics. But we in Raleigh know that the team has the best defensive defenseman in the game. Bar none. It would be nice to see him get more recognition, but that's out of our control.
In regard to the rookie, it's similar to my logic above for Svechnikov. I don't think it will happen because he's only played 18 career NHL regular season games, but, as of this moment, he's second in the ENTIRE NHL in both goals against average (1.94) and save percentage (.928)!
Plus, we have to be honest with ourselves, both Igor Shesterkin (NYR) and Ilya Sorokin (NYI) appear to be potential All-Star options for the Metropolitan Division in net for years to come. Shesterkin's numbers are a bit down and while Sorokin's save percentage is still excellent, his record is 13-11-1. Could we see the league gamble big and put the up-and-coming Kochetkov under the bright lights?
He's already starting to grab league-wide attention after earning the Canes points in 14 of his 15 appearances this season and what if he too becomes a perennial All-Star? The league could put a little feather in their cap of their own if they ushered him in this year and then in a few years they could look back and say, "We knew he was going to be a special talent early in his career."
Just my two cents.
What player do you think is primed for a great second half of the season? - @JWS2253 / @Josh\_Holdner98
I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Teuvo Teravainen have a stellar stretch run.
The bounces weren't going his way at the start of the year and then he got hurt, causing him to miss a good chunk of time. As we know, it takes a bit for players to get back into a groove after suffering an injury and I think we're starting to get there with #86.
Odds are good that he'll remain working alongside Sebastian Aho, and whether it's Seth Jarvis, Max Pacioretty, or someone else as the third member to that line, I feel good about what February-April could bring for him.
How does Rod keep the team's throttle down and keep momentum building? - @caseyskater
Brilliant question.
We've asked Rod a couple of times how he keeps the team motivated to work hard day in and day out, and he's always quick to credit the locker room's leadership.
So, in turn, I went and asked Jordan Staal today, what makes Rod so good at ensuring his leadership group, and team, keeps the throttle down and keeps the momentum building.
"It's the way Roddy lives his life. He wakes up in the morning, he gives it all he has and his work ethic makes it easy to follow as a group. Look at what he's done, what he's gone through, and all of the things he's done for this organization. He commands that respect and the guys don't see any holes in his character. He's an easy guy to follow."
How beautifully spoken is that?
With a 10-game win streak and a 16-game point steak, could there be some nervousness about breaking any of those steaks? I can say that I'm a bit nervous whenever we play. - @MargaretHogan\_
I'm with you, Margaret. I get nervous now too! But if you ask the guys, they couldn't care less about the streaks. It's just another day after another day and the next game is the next challenge.
Here's what Antti Raanta had to say about it.
"The mood has been the same the whole year and a half that I've been here. The guys are loud in here and cracking jokes before the game. You can just feel that confidence. We know that when we're playing our game we are tough to beat. We just go out there and do our best."
That's hard to argue with.
Where is Freddie? - @TraderMiz
Frederik Andersen has been practicing with the team since December 8. For those unaware, he suffered a lower-body injury in early November.
Rod Brind'Amour said on December 19 that the team is just waiting on Freddie to say that he's 100% and ready to go. Brind'Amour has also said that the team won't play him until he is 100%.
Why would they, right?
Antti Raanta's now won his last six decisions and you've got a legitimate Calder Trophy candidate rotating as his counterpart. There's no rush.
As far as what happens when Andersen does come back? That remains the million dollar question. I don't want to speculate on what could happen, so instead we wait to cross that bridge until it does happen. As Brind'Amour as said several times since the injury, there is no decision to make until Freddie is 100%.
(P.S. - Information on all injured players that are expected to return this season is updated daily and can be found within every game preview!)
Is there going to be an Alumni Game this season? - @The\_Number\_90
Stay tuned! Wink, wink.
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
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