What Logan Stankoven said postgame should scare the NHL

Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images

Plenty of players on the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes know how difficult it is to reach hockey’s mountaintop.

Veterans such as Taylor Hall, Frederik Andersen, and Shayne Gostisbehere all captured their first Stanley Cup after years of coming up short.

Meanwhile, captain Jordan Staal added a second championship to his resume nearly two decades after winning his first.

While veteran leadership was a major part of Carolina's championship run, the organization's future appears to be in excellent hands. One of the biggest reasons for that optimism is 23-year-old forward Logan Stankoven, who emerged as one of the Hurricanes' most impactful players throughout the postseason.

Logan Stankoven following the win

Following Carolina's Stanley Cup-clinching victory, Stankoven reflected on achieving a childhood dream and why he believes this championship could be only the beginning for the Hurricanes.

"It's what you dream of as a kid, and I didn't think it was going to happen this fast. But I think when you prepare like that and you put the work in, good things will come. And you just got to be patient sometimes. Our group is just getting started."

Those comments should excite Hurricanes fans.

Carolina's roster is built around a strong mix of experienced veterans and young stars entering their prime years. Players like Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, and Stankoven are expected to remain foundational pieces for years to come. On the back end, young defenders such as K'Andre Miller and Alexander Nikishin give the organization additional reason to believe its championship window is far from closing.

Stankoven on his departure from Dallas

Stankoven also discussed the trade that changed the course of his career. Acquired from the Dallas Stars in the deal involving Mikko Rantanen, the young forward admitted that leaving Dallas was difficult at the time, but he now views the move very differently

"I was obviously very upset to leave Dallas. And I think it was one of the best things that could ever happen to me. Just looking back on that, I was very thankful for what Dallas did for me. But I think just coming here and how welcoming everyone was right off the bat and how great this team was. We were able to add some key pieces, and everyone stepped up at different times."

For Stankoven, the trade ultimately led to the highest achievement in hockey. For Carolina, it may have secured another cornerstone player capable of helping the franchise compete for multiple championships.

The Hurricanes finally reached the summit this season, but if Stankoven's comments are any indication, the organization believes this could be the start of something much bigger rather than the end of the journey.