Carolina Hurricanes’ Rising Star: Logan Stankoven
Raleigh, N.C. (AP) — As the Carolina Hurricanes gear up for the second round of the NHL playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers, Logan Stankoven has emerged as a key player for the team. Unlike many of his teammates, Stankoven was still on the ice after practice, even as players trickled in and out of the locker room, highlighting his dedication.
Impressive Performance
The 23-year-old forward has been in remarkable form recently, maintaining an almost point-per-game average since mid-March, and he contributed significantly to the Hurricanes’ first-round sweep of Ottawa by scoring in every match.
Stankoven’s recent success comes at a crucial moment for Carolina, which has long sought a reliable second-line center since Vincent Trocheck‘s departure to the New York Rangers in 2022. Over the past 18 regular-season games, he notched 10 goals and six assists. In the playoffs against Ottawa, he added another four goals and an assist.
Partnered with seasoned veteran Taylor Hall — who recorded two goals and five assists in the first round — and promising young talent Jackson Blake, Stankoven’s line has provided the offensive spark the Hurricanes need, helping to balance their attack as the top line struggled.
Management’s Confidence
Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky spoke highly of Stankoven’s performance, noting that despite concerns about his size — he stands at 5-foot-8 and weighs 165 pounds — his work ethic is crucial in the pursuit of success.
“You knew this was in him,”
Tulsky remarked, emphasizing the importance of his commitment on the ice.
Challenges and Adaptation
Stankoven’s journey to become a center has not been without challenges. Initially a center in junior hockey, he shifted to the wing when he entered the professional ranks, debuting with the Dallas Stars in February 2024 before being traded to Carolina in 2025. It wasn’t until the arrival of head coach Rod Brind’Amour, a former two-way center and captain of the 2006 Stanley Cup-winning team, that Stankoven was pushed to play in the middle again.
This transition has necessitated honing faceoff skills, critical for the Hurricanes’ strategy that emphasizes puck possession and intelligent forechecking. While Stankoven has accepted the challenges of his new role, his early faceoff statistics reflected the difficulties he faced. Before the Olympic break, he was frustrated, winning only 43.1% of his faceoffs.
His father, Wes, observed his son’s struggles and joined him in watching instructional videos and keeping the mood light during this tough phase. Despite setbacks, Stankoven has shown improvement. His faceoff winning percentage increased after the break, climbing to 45.5%, demonstrating his adaptability as he learns from experiences and teammates.
“I know where to be positionally and I just have to keep improving on the dot,”
Stankoven stated.
Future Prospects
The Hurricanes have leaned heavily on Stankoven, who became central to the team’s strategy moving forward, especially after the departures of other key players. The franchise’s decision to focus on developing him as a second-line center comes on the heels of previous trials with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Martin Necas — the latter being traded as the team sought to restructure its lineup. Stankoven’s impactful playoff performance thus far has solidified his place in the lineup and has inspired confidence among team management.
“It’s encouraging to know that the organization is backing me, and I feel I have more to show ahead of me,”
Stankoven concluded. As he continues to develop, the Hurricanes are watching closely for the contributions he will bring as they advance deeper into the postseason.
