Stefan Noesen: Depth Forward to Silent MVP

Power Play Specialist

So, Noesen is generating chances, hitting and finishing pretty well. But one thing that he has shown is an ability to contribute on the power play. He has three power play goals and five power play assists. His power play points are solid but not earth-shattering. He does lead the team in goals scored per sixty minutes at 5v4 play but even most of his advanced statistics are more middle-of-the-road on the power play. But what is so much more important is how he has affected the now eight-ranked power play in the league.

More than the Numbers

Noesen plays the spot down low and in front of the goalie on the power play. He will step out to the corner when the puck is worked to his side and move back to the front of the net when it is worked to the other side or to the point. Every single power play goal he has scored has come from the doorstep while all of his power play shots are from below the dots.

Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas can fire shots from the top of the circles and Brent Burns can blast bombs from the point, but without any net-front presence, most goalies can make a save regardless of the shot’s power. Noesen has a good shot, but it is his willingness to play down low and in front of the net that makes the difference. Even if he doesn’t score, that traffic is essential.

An example of his tenacity around the net was shown in the team’s last game against the New York Islanders.

Noesen attempts to make a quick bumper pass and after it is blocked turns around to pound in the rebound. It’s not flashy, it’s not a highlight reel, but it’s what is making the difference for the power play which has largely been a strong point for this team.

A Little Skill, A Lot of Heart

So, by typical standards, Noesen might not be the team’s MVP right now. But for a team searching for consistency, he is doing all the right things. He has been bounced all around the lineup. This includes time on the team’s top line with Sebastian Aho and time on the team’s fourth line with Jack Drury and Brendan Lemieux. And he doesn’t seem to care.

Nothing Comes Easy

Noesen appears to recognize how nothing is easy and you can’t take anything for granted. The Texas native may not have the high-profile skill like Aho or Svechnikov and he realizes he can contribute in other ways. Nothing has ever come easy for Noesen. Coming from Texas and working his way up and down through the NHL. He knows nothing is guaranteed and plays every game like it is his last. But this play is turning out to be very essential for the team as shown by his GAR above.

You know what you are getting in Noesen. Sure, he may have some off games and maybe he’s not the best choice in the shootout (for whatever that’s worth). But you know he is going to work hard every game and produce results more with heart than skill. He and Jack Drury even had a small point streak run together recently that was very encouraging to see.

What is Right for Noesen’s Season

A lot of the reason for Stefan Noesen’s success this season? His willingness to go to the net that a lot of Hurricanes players seem to shy away from. Like the power play, most of his shots and all of his goals have come from below the dots. But he also isn’t afraid to fight in the corners, forecheck relentlessly, and even drop the gloves if necessary. Brind’Amour has provided that Noesen’s consistency is paying off for him as he has gotten more opportunity.

For a guy who has been around the league and utilized at both the NHL and AHL levels, he is embodying some of Rod Brind’Amour on the ice right now. Even after the Hurricanes Western Canada road trip debacle, it was Noesen who stepped up to the media to call out the team for their poor play. At 30 years old, Noesen seems to have found a home in Carolina. And so much so that he may be getting a pay raise next season.