Here’s every NHL team’s player to watch break out this year

Carolina Hurricanes: Andrei Svechnikov

Everyone on this team is in a position to break out, aren’t they? Lousy is as lousy does, Forrest.

Nonetheless, we’ve got to pick someone to put in the spotlight, so let’s go with Andrei Svechnikov, the Hurricanes’ first pick (second overall) in June. The kid has got him some goods and will get ample time to show them off, seeing as the fans need something to entice them to games. Am I right, Caniacs?

Anyway, Svechnikov has afforded himself well in two (albeit short) seasons in North America, scoring 29 goals and adding 29 assists for 58 points in 48 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL before ripping 40 goals and 32 assists for 72 points in a mere 44 games while toiling with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. He’s tall enough (6-foot-3) to play in the league, but he’s got to thicken up a bit (he’s 192 pounds) if he wants to stand a chance against the NHL grind and play more games than he has.

But if finds his comfort zone, projected to be on the third line with two other guys you’ve never heard of, then he could get long consideration by new coach Rod Brind’Amour.