Teravainen enjoyed yet another campaign of steady production in 2019-20, notching 15 goals, 48 assists, 182 shots on net and 21 power-play points in 68 contests during the NHL's shortened regular season. The 26-year-old forward will likely never be a point-per-game player, but he's essentially a lock for 20-plus goals and 60-plus points over the course of a full season at this stage in his career, and he hasn't missed a single contest in three consecutive campaigns, making him one of the most dependable fantasy options available at any position. Virtual managers shouldnt invest an early-round pick in Teravainen due to his somewhat underwhelming offensive upside, but he'll make a fantastic addition to any fantasy squad in the middle rounds of this year's drafts.
Chicago traded Teravainen to Carolina after he posted 35 points in 2015-16, and the Blackhawks have regretted that decision ever since. The Finnish winger proceeded to score 42 points the next season, then took a leap to 64 before setting yet another career high with 76 points in 2018-19. He's not a major goal-scorer -- Teravainen's career best is 23 -- but he delivers superb value in other categories, as evidenced by his 55 assists, 24 power-play points and plus-30 rating last season. Teravainen is expected to once again flank countryman Sebastian Aho on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, putting him in a good position to continue his upward career trend.
Teravainen took a huge leap forward last season, bettering his previous year's offensive total by 22 points. In doing so, the 23-year-old Finn fell just one point shy of the team lead in points (64) and set new career marks across the board in goals (23), assists (41), power-play points (20) and shots on goal (185). Following two seasons in Chicago where he was arguably under-utilized, Teravainen has the chance to demonstrate the skills that made him the Blackhawks' first-round pick in 2012, and he remains one of the Hurricanes' best offensive forwards along with Sebastian Aho, Justin Williams and Jordan Staal. Even with this year's second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov likely to work his way into the mix at some point, Teravainen will surely remain in a top-six scoring role heading into the 2018-19 season.
Teravainen came to the Hurricanes last season after spending the better part of two seasons with the Blackhawks, and finished with a career-best 42 points, including 15 on the power play. Despite some inconsistency over the course of last season, the Hurricanes clearly saw enough promise in Teravainen to reward him with a new two-year, $5.7 million contract in June. The 22-year-old Finn spent much of the 2016-17 season playing on the team’s first line alongside Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho. However, Teravainen could be dropped down to a lower line this season after the team went out and signed veteran winger Justin Williams on the first day of free agency in July. Nevertheless, from a long-term perspective, Teravainen remains part of a solid core of youngsters the team is building around to get themselves back into playoff contention.
In what was largely a salary dump, the Blackhawks sent Teravainen along with Bryan Bickell to Carolina in July in exchange for draft picks. Teravainen had something of a breakout season last year, posting 13 goals and 22 assists in 78 games in what was largely a defensive, bottom-six role for the 'Hawks. That said, he was one of Chicago’s most versatile forwards, plugging holes on all four lines and playing all three forward positions throughout the season. With proven top-six ability, Teravainen immediately upgrades the playmaking ability of Carolina's forward ranks, and the team will likely give him a look on one of its top two lines once the season starts. From a fantasy perspective, Teravainen should be regarded as having immense potential and should not be overlooked in the middle to later rounds of your fantasy drafts this fall.
Teravainen cut his teeth slowly in 2014-15, playing as a fourth-line winger before settling in with Antoine Vermette and Patrick Sharp on the third line by season's end. He then eclipsed his nine regular-season points in 34 games with 10 in only 18 playoff contests. Four of the points came against the Bolts in the Stanley Cup Finals, showing that no stage was too grand for the 20-year-old. The slick-skating offensive wizard played well on the wing and could be a candidate to skate on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa this season. But there’s also talk Teravainen could move to center, an outcome that would drop him off the first line, and perhaps as low as the third. We’re thinking he’ll be needed on the wing, but watch the Hawks’ camp carefully.
Hopes for Teravainen starting with the Blackhawks this season probably were dashed with the signing of Brad Richards. The Blackhawks could choose to use the 20-year-old on a lower line, but most likely, he’ll be bound for AHL Rockford when the new season begins. He still is targeted as the team's second-line center in the long-term, but that would most likely come after the 2014-15 season.
The Blackhawks first round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is moving closer to seeing time with the big club. The reports of his play in the Finnish Elite League are very good and while he will most likely be playing in Finland again, he is getting closer to moving across the pond. He's an elite talent. Make sure he's on your keeper squad.
What a steal for the Hawks. No one raised his draft stock more this season than the talented Teravainen whose pure skill ranks him alongside Nail Yakupov as the draft class’ best. The knock on him is his size – he’s just 5-11 and about 160 lbs. But his elite vision, skill and offensive upside erase those concerns, and his flexibility to play both center and wing make him a potentially dangerous scoring forward. His fantasy potential is among the highest of the 2012 draft. He showed off his puck-handling ability at July's Prospect Camp and was considered the best player at the camp. Just don’t expect to see him soon – he was just four days removed from being eligible for the 2013 draft, so he has some developing to do.
