The Carolina Hurricanes received bad injury news in the case of right winger Andrei Svechnikov, who will undergo season-ending surgery this week.
It’s a huge blow for this Stanley Cup-worthy team, as Svechnikov, who plays on the team’s top line of forwards, suffered a torn ACL.
Svechnikov, 22, played 17 minutes against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 11 but missed the team’s game against the New Jersey Devils. After undergoing tests Monday, the Hurricanes saw what they didn’t want to see.
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Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes shoots the puck during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at PNC Arena on March 11, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
«After further consultation with world experts in the field, it was determined that the best course of action for Andrei’s future is to have this surgery, and to have it performed by our team’s orthopedist, Dr. Marty Isbell,» President and General manager. said Don Waddell, via ESPN. «We are confident that Andrei will make a full recovery.»
Svechnikov has lived up to his second overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft as the Barnaul, Russia native has consistently added points to the stat sheet each season.
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This season, Svechnikov had 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 64 games for the Hurricanes, who are tied for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division with the Devils.
Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after suffering an injury during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at PNC Arena on March 9, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
The 94 points both teams have is good for second in the NHL behind the Boston Bruins (105).
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For his five-year career thus far, Svechnikov has 264 points with 112 goals and 152 assists in 347 games.
With Svechnikov out for the rest of the year, head coach Rod Brind’Amour will likely move Seth Jarvis to the top line with Sebastian Aho and Jesse Puljujarvi, whom Carolina traded to the Edmonton Oilers before the NHL deadline.
Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes before the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at PNC Arena on March 11, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
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The Hurricanes still have a formidable group that includes Teuo Teravainen, Jesperi Kotakaniemi, Martin Necas, Jordan Staal and more. They’re also rock solid on defense, with Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns on that top line.