Noesen’s Adaptability Is Evident Early In A Key Individual Season
“I want to be able to demonstrate my versatility by playing all positions in the lineup. This year is more or less the same as last year because I want to be able to demonstrate what my bread and butter is.”
NC’S RALEIGH – After 13 games this season, the forward group for the Carolina Hurricanes has had no shortage of narratives.
Much justified attention was paid to Andrei Svechnikov’s health and eventual return to the starting lineup. The injury to Sebastian Aho and his absences were almost mutually exclusive.
Teuvo Teravainen got off to a quick start, and Martin Necas doesn’t seem to be too far from where he left off in his best-ever season of 2022–2023.
What about Stefan Noesen, though?
Despite having the second-fewest average time on ice (11:44) among all forwards on the team, he shares a tie with Jesperi Kotkaniemi for the team lead in multi-point games played thus far this season.
Despite having a role that seems to change constantly, the 30-year-old is still producing as a crucial utility player for the Canes offense.
“I think my performance is improving. Noesen said, “I think it’s just more getting used to situations with the guys we’ve been playing with right now.
The winger, who prides himself on being a Swiss Army Knife-type player, has proven to be useful during the first month of the campaign thanks to his versatility.
In the beginning of the season, Noesen and Jack Drury were the tandem that required a rotating fill-in when the team decided to start with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Noesen’s services were required in the top six after Aho’s collapse. Following his comeback, #20 was once again with his old American Hockey League partner, Drury.
Brendan Lemieux has occasionally played with the two there, and Svechnikov for two games. Necas made a move recently that forced right-handed shooter Noesen to play the left side of the rink. Michael Bunting seems to be taking over on the other wing now.
Noesen has produced no matter who has been on either side of him or where he has performed.
“I want to be able to demonstrate my versatility by playing all positions in the lineup. This year is kind of more of the same as last year because I want to be able to show what my bread and butter is,” the Texas-born product said. “Last year I was able to establish myself as a full-time player here and now I have the chance to do that in back-to-back years, which I haven’t been able to do yet in my NHL career.”
Noesen, who is in his tenth season of professional hockey, still prioritizes the team’s goals, and it is obvious that he believes in doing his share to help the group achieve its ultimate objective.
On a personal level, though, he hopes to continue being a regular member of the Canes’ lineup following nine years of ups and downs, including 224 games in the AHL.
Only once, since taking part in his first NHL game in 2015, has he spent all of the following seasons exclusively on the roster of a major league team. He was in and out of the lineup the following season in New Jersey, despite having a largely successful 2017–18 campaign.
Noesen is trying to achieve something that never happened, and he believes it is possible because his coaching staff has that belief.
“I have a coaching staff that supports me and I was given the chance. “I’ve never had that in the NHL,” #23 said, expressing gratitude to assistant coach Jeff Daniels and rod Brind’Amour. “Having someone at the top that believes in you really does wonders for anyone.”
The power forward is off to a great start this year, scoring eight points in 13 games after recording a career-high 36 points in the NHL the previous season.
“He plays hockey smart. You see it, in a rude way. He has a good understanding of the game, Brind’Amour said. “He is aware of his abilities. He is aware that he is not a particularly swift skater. However, he has excellent touch and great sense when it comes to the net. He’s been a huge asset for us and makes a lot of great plays down there near the goal line.”
The same is true for Daniels, who manages Carolina’s forwards.
“He merited the position when he entered. He knows he’s a ‘circles down’ type of guy and has earned his time to be the power player. Daniels praised Noesen, saying, “He needs to be at the net.” “When his chance presents itself, he’s prepared. He demonstrated his ability to play in the NHL last year, and hopefully he can continue to improve.”
Beyond the coaching staff, Noesen is a force to be reckoned with in the net. Drury agrees, having shared a Calder Cup victory with him in 2022.
“Below the dots, he’s really good. When it comes to playing around the net, below the line, and down low, Drury praised Noesen as being among the best in the league. “He’s got really good hands too and he always understands what he needs to do with the puck.”
Currently, he has 44 points in his 44 games with the Canes, which already surpasses his total from his 145 games with the Devils. Noesen’s goal is to keep using his strong suits to contribute to the team regardless of where or with whom he skates, even after passing it in 54 fewer games.
“I’m just trying to continue to build my game off what I’ve been able to do already,” he said. “I take great satisfaction in being the guy who can succeed in any circumstance.
