Carolina Hurricanes place faith in Logan Stankoven as center in Stanley Cup pursuit
The Carolina Hurricanes have made bold moves this offseason, signaling their intent to contend for the Stanley Cup. Among their key acquisitions are forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman K’Andre Miller, both expected to significantly bolster the roster. However, another name is emerging that could play a pivotal role in Carolina’s quest for glory: young forward Logan Stankoven.
Stankoven’s Journey to Carolina
Although Stankoven may not have garnered headlines like Ehlers or Miller, his trade from the Dallas Stars to the Hurricanes has certainly made waves. This transaction was part of the second Mikko Rantanen trade of the 2024-25 NHL season. Rantanen, a player widely recognized as a game-changing talent and a potential top-five player in the league, was instrumental in Dallas’s run to the Western Conference Finals last postseason. Being traded for such a high-caliber player undoubtedly places considerable pressure on the 22-year-old Stankoven.
Despite the weight of expectations, Stankoven had a promising finish to the previous season. With the upcoming season on the horizon, he now faces the opportunity to step into an expanded role. Primarily utilized as a winger in the NHL, head coach Rod Brind’Amour is giving Stankoven a chance to compete for the second line center position during training camp.
An Exciting Opportunity
This transition is not lost on Stankoven, who expressed his eagerness regarding the shift to center. “It was something that Rod talked to me about at our end-of-year exit meeting,” he shared. “At the pro level, I haven’t really had a solid chance to try it yet.” His enthusiasm for the opportunity is palpable as he added, “I’m really excited about the opportunity. Hopefully it works out. And if not? It’s not a big deal. I’ll just take what I’m given and do it to the best of my abilities.”
Proven Skills and Creative Potential
Stankoven is no stranger to playing center, having occupied that position for most of his life. His junior hockey career with the Kamloops Blazers showcased his capabilities in the middle, and he has retained much of his skill even after shifting to the wing. His creativity, a trait that Brind’Amour values, will now be put to the test as he adapts to this new role.
“Obviously, Stankoven is a very creative player, and you’re going to play him with creative guys. Can that generate some more goals? That’s really what we’re looking to see,” Brind’Amour explained, emphasizing the importance of Stankoven’s ability to facilitate plays and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Positive Early Signs
The early returns on Stankoven’s performance have been promising. In a preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he scored the Hurricanes’ only goal in a narrow 2-1 loss. While it was just the first game of the preseason, the goal is an encouraging sign. Stankoven appeared comfortable anchoring his own line and positioned himself well to score, even though he did not register an assist.
Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes are known for their success in developing young talent, and they are hopeful that Stankoven will emerge as the next standout in their lineup. As the team prepares for its regular-season debut against the New Jersey Devils on October 9th, all eyes will be on Stankoven as he embarks on this critical chapter in his career.
